Question 1

True or false: He was married to actress Vivien Leigh for 20 years, despite her struggles with mental illness.

Accepted Answer

True. Olivier married Vivien Leigh in 1940 and remained with her until 1960, supporting her through bipolar disorder and tuberculosis.

Question 2

True or false: Olivier served as the director of the National Theatre of Great Britain for a decade.

Accepted Answer

True. He was the founding artistic director of the National Theatre from 1963 to 1973, shaping its early repertoire and reputation.

Question 3

True or false: Olivier was the first actor to be awarded a peerage, becoming a life peer in 1970.

Accepted Answer

True. He was created Baron Olivier of Brighton in 1970, the first actor to receive a life peerage, though actors had been hereditary peers before.

Question 4

True or false: Olivier directed and starred in the first ever film adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.

Accepted Answer

False. The first film adaptation of 'Hamlet' was a 1900 silent short. Olivier's 1948 version won Best Picture, but wasn't the first.

Question 5

True or false: Olivier never won an Academy Award for his acting, only receiving an honorary Oscar.

Accepted Answer

False. He won a competitive Oscar for Best Actor in 'Hamlet' (1948) and an honorary award in 1979, plus two other acting nominations.

Question 6

True or false: Olivier's first film role was in the 1930 movie 'The Temporary Widow'.

Accepted Answer

False. His first film role was actually in 1930's 'The Temporary Widow', but it was a minor part. His breakthrough came later with 'Wuthering Heights' (1939).

Question 7

True or false: He was a trained opera singer before becoming a stage actor in London.

Accepted Answer

False. Olivier never trained as an opera singer. He studied acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama and began his career in theatre.

Question 8

True or false: Laurence Olivier turned down a knighthood twice before finally accepting it.

Accepted Answer

True. Olivier was offered a knighthood in 1947 but declined, citing financial reasons. He accepted in 1947 after a second offer, becoming Sir Laurence.

Laurence Olivier Trivia Questions