Michael Rennie
| Michael Rennie | |
|---|---|
Michael Rennie as "Klaatu" in
The Day The Earth Stood Still (1951). |
|
| Born |
Eric Alexander Rennie 25 August 1909 Idle near Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK |
| Died | 10 June 1971 (aged 61) Harrogate, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, UK |
| Cause of death | Aortic aneurysm |
| Resting place | Harlow Hill Cemetery Harrogate, North Yorkshire |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1937–1969 |
| Spouse(s) | Maggie McGrath (1947–1960) (divorced) one child Joan England (1938–1945) (divorced) |
| Partner(s) | Renee Taylor (nee Gilbert) (1916–2005) |
| Children | John Marshall Rennie (1944) David James Rennie (1953) |
Michael Rennie (25 August 1909 – 10 June 1971) was an English film, television and stage actor, perhaps best remembered for his starring role as the space visitor Klaatu in the science fiction film, The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). In a career spanning more than 30 years, Rennie appeared in more than 50 films and in several American television series.
Eric Alexander Rennie was born in Idle near Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire. He received his education at the Leys School, Cambridge. Rennie worked in a number of occupations, including periods as a car salesman and as the manager of his uncle's rope factory; before deciding (at the time of his 26th birthday, in 1935) on a career as an actor. Retaining his surname but adopting Michael as his professional name, the 6' 4" tall Rennie first appeared onscreen in an uncredited bit part in the Alfred Hitchcock film Secret Agent (1936).
During the late 1930s, Rennie served his apprenticeship as an actor, gaining experience while touring the regions in repertory theatre. There is evidence that, at the age of 28, he was noticed by one of the British film studios, which arranged a screen test. The 1937 screen test, which exists in the British Film Institute archives under the title "Marguerite Allan and Michael Rennie Screen Test," did not lead to a film career for either performer. In Secret Agent, he was primarily a stand-in for leading man Robert Young. He also played other bit parts and minor unbilled roles in ten additional films produced between 1936 and 1940; by the time the last of these was released, Pimpernel Smith (1941), Rennie was serving in the Royal Air Force.
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