Michael Rennie
Biografia
Michael Rennie (born August 1909 – June 10, 1971) was an English actor best known for his role as Klaatu in the science fiction classic The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). He enjoyed a successful career spanning film, television, and theater, gaining fame for his dignified and often authoritative roles. Michael Rennie was born Eric Alexander Rennie in Ilford, Essex, England. His early interest in acting led him to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where he trained and developed his skills as a performer. He worked initially in British theater before transitioning to film. Rennie’s early career included several roles in British films, but it was his move to Hollywood in the 1940s that helped him gain more widespread recognition. He appeared in a series of films, often portraying dignified or authoritative characters, with his tall stature, smooth voice, and good looks making him a natural fit for leading roles. His breakthrough came with the science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), where he portrayed the alien visitor Klaatu. The film is considered one of the most influential sci-fi movies of all time, and Rennie’s portrayal of the calm and rational Klaatu became iconic. The film's message of peace, tolerance, and warning against militarism resonated with audiences, and Rennie’s performance as the alien ambassador remains one of his most famous and enduring roles. Following The Day the Earth Stood Still, Rennie continued to appear in a variety of films, often in roles of authority or leadership. Some notable films he starred in include The Lost World (1960), The 27th Day (1957), and Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959), where he appeared alongside actors like James Mason and Pat Boone. Rennie also appeared in numerous television series, including The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and The Invaders. In the 1960s, he had roles in various TV shows, further establishing his presence in the science fiction and adventure genres. Rennie was married twice. His first marriage was to actress Dorothy Dandridge in 1959, but they eventually divorced. Later, he married Shirley Sutherland, with whom he remained until his death. Despite his fame, Rennie led a relatively private life and was known to be a gentleman both on and off screen. He had a reputation for being reserved and professional, a trait that made him well-suited to the types of roles he was often cast in. Michael Rennie passed away on June 10, 1971, at the age of 61, from a heart attack while vacationing in Spain. His death marked the end of a distinguished career in film and television. Rennie’s most enduring legacy is his portrayal of Klaatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still, which remains a staple of science fiction cinema. His calm, authoritative presence in the film and his portrayal of an alien visitor with a message of peace continue to resonate with audiences and are considered a high point in 1950s science fiction. Throughout his career, he brought dignity and depth to the roles he played, earning him a place in cinematic history, particularly within the science fiction genre.
Filmografia
Filmy i seriale od najnowszych
Lost in Space Forever
Film • 1998
jako The Keeper (archive footage)
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
Film • 1995
jako Klaatu (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Horror Show
Film • 1979
jako (archive footage)
Los monstruos del terror
Film • 1970
jako Dr. Odo Warnoff
La battaglia di El Alamein
Film • 1969
jako Bernard Law Montgomery
Stoney
Film • 1969
jako Harvey Ward
Subterfuge
Film • 1968
jako Goldsmith
Scacco Internazionale
Film • 1968
jako George McConnell
Giugno '44 - Sbarcheremo in Normandia
Film • 1968
jako Blynn
Diabelska brygada
Film • 1968
jako Lt. Gen. Mark Clark
The Power
Film • 1968
jako Arthur Nordlund
Nude... si muore
Film • 1968
jako Inspector Durand
Bersaglio mobile
Film • 1967
jako Major Worthington Clark
The Danny Thomas Hour
Serial • 1967
jako Paul Heaton
Hondo and the Apaches
Film • 1967
jako Tribolet
Hondo
Serial • 1967
Hotel
Film • 1967
jako Geoffrey - Duke of Lanbourne
The Invaders
Serial • 1967
jako Magnus
Cyborg 2087
Film • 1966
jako Garth A7
Jericho
Serial • 1966
ABC Stage 67
Serial • 1966
The Time Tunnel
Serial • 1966
jako Capt. Malcolm Smith
Batman zbawia świat
Serial • 1966
jako Sandman
Noc odwetu
Film • 1966
jako Brooks Durham
The F.B.I.
Serial • 1965
jako Conrad Letterman
Lost in Space
Serial • 1965
jako The Keeper
Branded
Serial • 1965
Daniel Boone
Serial • 1964
jako Maj. Peter Wellington
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
Serial • 1964
jako Barnaby Partridge
12 O'Clock High
Serial • 1964
jako Gen. St. John Keighley
Mary, Mary
Film • 1963
jako Dirk Winston
Kraft Suspense Theatre
Serial • 1963
jako Robert Thurston
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
Serial • 1963
jako Edward Parker Greene
The Great Adventure
Serial • 1963
jako President Jefferson Davis
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
Serial • 1962
jako Ralph Manson
The Virginian
Serial • 1962
jako Michael O'Rourke
The Dick Powell Show
Serial • 1961
jako Inspector Marshall
Route 66
Serial • 1960
The Barbara Stanwyck Show
Serial • 1960
jako Julius
Zaginiony świat
Film • 1960
jako Lord John Roxton
Third Man on the Mountain
Film • 1959
jako Captain John Winter
Perilous Assignment
Film • 1959
jako Self
The Third Man
Serial • 1959
Bonanza
Serial • 1959
jako Prof. Poppy / Dr. P.A. Mundy
Shirley Temple's Storybook
Serial • 1958
jako Captain Creighton
Battle of the V-1
Film • 1958
jako Stefan
Suspicion
Serial • 1957
jako Angus Martin
DuPont Show of the Month
Serial • 1957
Perry Mason
Serial • 1957
jako Prof. Edward Lindley
Omar Khayyam
Film • 1957
jako Hasani Sabah
Island in the Sun
Film • 1957
jako Hilary Carson
Circle of the Day
Film • 1957
jako Eric Millet
Teenage Rebel
Film • 1956
jako Jay Fallon
The Letter
Film • 1956
jako Howard Joyce
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
Serial • 1956
jako Matthew Birch
The Rains of Ranchipur
Film • 1955
jako Lord Albert Esketh
Siedem złotych miast
Film • 1955
jako Father Junipero Serra
The 20th Century Fox Hour
Serial • 1955
jako Narrator
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Serial • 1955
jako Allen Bliss
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Film • 1955
jako Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
Soldier of Fortune
Film • 1955
jako Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police
Desirée
Film • 1954
jako Bernadotte
The Wonderful World of Disney
Serial • 1954
jako Self
Producers' Showcase
Serial • 1954
jako Howard Joyce
Climax!
Serial • 1954
jako Lord Edward Dominey / Major General Von Raggenstein
Mambo
Film • 1954
jako Enrico Marisoni
Princess of the Nile
Film • 1954
jako Rama Khan
Demetriusz i gladiatorzy
Film • 1954
jako Peter
King of the Khyber Rifles
Film • 1953
jako Brig. Gen. J. R. Maitland
Szata
Film • 1953
jako Peter
Dangerous Crossing
Film • 1953
jako Dr. Paul Manning
Sailor of the King
Film • 1953
jako Lt. Richard Saville
Titanic
Film • 1953
jako End Narrator (Voice)
Szczury pustyni
Film • 1953
jako Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Les Miserables
Film • 1952
jako Jean Valjean
5 Fingers
Film • 1952
jako Colin Travers
Phone Call from a Stranger
Film • 1952
jako Dr. Robert Fortness
The House in the Square
Film • 1951
jako Roger Forsyth
Pustynny Lis
Film • 1951
jako Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
Serial • 1951
Dzień, w którym zatrzymała się Ziemia
Film • 1951
jako Klaatu / Mr. Carpenter
The 13th Letter
Film • 1951
jako Dr. Pearson
Trio
Film • 1950
jako Major George Templeton (segment Sanatorium)
The Black Rose
Film • 1950
jako King Edward
The Body Said No!
Film • 1950
jako The Body
Miss Pilgrim's Progress
Film • 1949
jako Bob Thane
The Golden Madonna
Film • 1949
jako Mike Christie
Uneasy Terms
Film • 1948
jako Slim Callaghan
Idol of Paris
Film • 1948
jako Hertz
White Cradle Inn
Film • 1947
jako Rudolph
The Root of All Evil
Film • 1947
jako Charles Mortimer
Cezar i Kleopatra
Film • 1945
jako 1st Centurion
The Wicked Lady
Film • 1945
jako Kit Locksby
I'll Be Your Sweetheart
Film • 1945
The Sky’s the Limit
Film • 1943
jako George
The Big Blockade
Film • 1942
jako George
Tower of Terror
Film • 1941
jako Anthony Hale
Ships with Wings
Film • 1941
jako Lieut. Maxwell
Turned Out Nice Again
Film • 1941
jako Diner
"Pimpernel" Smith
Film • 1941
jako Prison Camp Officer
The Patient Vanishes
Film • 1941
jako Inspector
Dangerous Moonlight
Film • 1941
jako Kapulski
This Man in Paris
Film • 1939
jako Gang Member (uncredited)
Bank Holiday
Film • 1938
jako Guardsman (uncredited)
Rozwód Lady X
Film • 1938
jako Minor Role (uncredited)
The Squeaker
Film • 1937
jako Medical Examiner
The Gap
Film • 1937
jako Chemist-Radio Operator (uncredited)
Gangway
Film • 1937
jako Ship's Officer
Gypsy
Film • 1936
The Man Who Could Work Miracles
Film • 1936
jako San Francisco Cop
Bałkany
Film • 1936
jako Army Captain (uncredited)
The Conquest of the Air
Film • 1931
jako Marquis d'Arlandes (uncredited)