Rex Harrison, born Reginald Carey Harrison, was a renowned English actor, singer, and director, whose remarkable career spanned over six decades. Born in Huyton, Lancashire, England, on March 5, 1908, Harrison was the son of Edith Mary (Carey) and William Reginald Harrison, a cotton broker. As a young boy, he changed his name to Rex, inspired by the Latin word for "King," which would later become a fitting moniker for his commanding stage presence.
Harrison began his theater career at the tender age of 18, landing his first role at the Liverpool Rep Theatre. However, his early days on stage were marked by a series of mishaps, including a botched entrance in his debut performance. Despite this inauspicious start, Harrison persevered and soon found himself landing roles in the West End.
It was his breakthrough performance in Terence Rattigan's "French Without Tears" that catapulted him to stardom, earning him the reputation as the "greatest actor of light comedy in the world." Harrison's personal life was marked by a string of marriages, including his union with German actress Lilli Palmer, with whom he appeared in numerous plays and British films.
In 1946, Harrison achieved international fame with his portrayal of the King in "Anna and the King of Siam," his first American film. However, his personal life was marred by a high-profile sex scandal, which led to the end of his marriage to Lilli Palmer. Harrison's subsequent relationships, including his marriage to actress Kay Kendall, were also marked by turmoil and heartbreak.
Despite these personal struggles, Harrison continued to thrive in his career, winning the Tony Award for his iconic performance as Professor Henry Higgins in the original production of "My Fair Lady" and the Academy Award for the film adaptation. In 1962, Harrison married actress Rachel Roberts, but the union ended in divorce.
Harrison's final marriage, to Mercia Tinker, was a long and happy one, lasting from 1978 until his passing in 1990. In 1989, he was granted a knighthood at Buckingham Palace, a testament to his enduring legacy in the world of entertainment. Rex Harrison passed away on June 2, 1990, just three weeks after his final stage appearance as Lord Porteous in W. Somerset Maugham's "The Circle," leaving behind a legacy as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
