Laurence Olivier, the distinguished actor and director, died peacefully on July 11th 1989 at the age of 82. Born in Dorking, Surrey, on May 22nd 1907, Olivier was a central figure in the British theatre of the mid-20th century. He earned eight Academy Award nominations, and was the first actor of any nation to win four Oscars during his career. His performance in the 1948 film version of Hamlet won him the Academy Award for Best Actor and he went on to win three other Academy Awards, making him one of only a handful of performers to achieve such an award. Olivier was the co-founder of the National Theatre Company, which from its inception in 1963 and until his death in 1989, Olivier gained a reputation as one of the most influential theatre practitioners in the history of the UK. Olivier was widely praised for his pioneering work in television in the early 1950s. Throughout his long and extraordinary career, Olivier was an impressive actor usually characterized by passion and intensity. He earned the nickname "The Great Actor" for his outstanding performances on stage as well as in many classic films. Olivier's presence will be sorely missed.