In the history of the Oscars, there have only been three times that an actor has won Best Actor for playing famous kings. The Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, are recognized as the most prestigious awards in the film industry. Since its first ceremony, which took place in 1929, many actors, actresses, directors and composers have received Academy recognition for their work on some of the greatest films ever made.
In the nearly century-long history of the Oscars, there have been 86 Best Actor Oscar winners. Over the years, many actors have won Oscars for playing real people. Although several of them have won Oscars for their performances in biopics, only three actors in Oscar history have won Best Actor for playing kings who reigned in different centuries.
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Charles Laughton won an Oscar in 1933 for playing Henry VIII
Charles Laughton starred in the private life of Henry VIII
British actor Charles Laughton played the infamous Tudor king Henry VIII in the 1933 British drama The private life of Henry VIII. Directed by Alexander Korda, the film portrays the reign of Henry VIII and his relationship with his six wives. Laughton co-starred alongside his wife, Elsa Lanchester, who played Henry’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves. The film depicts Henry’s reign as king and how he found solace in his flirtations with women; Laughton portrayed the king as a pompous and greedy man with a strong sense of power and a large appetite..
Charles Laughton received widespread praise for his performance as Henry VIII and won the Academy Award for Best Actor, which was the first Oscar received by a British film.
The private life of Henry VIII achieved commercial success and was credited with creating the image of Henry VIII as a fat, greedy glutton (through History today). Although this picture has been discredited by historians, Charles Laughton received much praise for his performance as Henry VIII and won the Oscar for Best Actor, which was the first Oscar received for a British film. Laughton played the role of Henry VIII again 20 years later in the film Young Besswhich focused on Henry’s daughter Elizabeth.
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Yul Brynner won an Oscar in 1956 for playing King Mongkut
Yul Brynner starred in The King and I
Yul Brynner began his acting career on stage, before landing the role of King Mongkut in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. The king and I in 1951. Adapted from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, the musical portrays the reign of Mongkut, who reigned over Siam (present-day Thailand) from 1851 to 1868. The musical portrays Leonowens’ experiences as a governess to King Mongkut’s children and helping the king modernize his kingdom. The king and I was met with widespread praise, winning five Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Actor for Brynner (via Rodgers and Hammerstein).
A film adaptation of the musical was released in 1956, with Brynner reprising his role as King Mongkut from the musical. The film was also praised by critics, receiving nine Oscar nominations and winning five; It has since been ranked as one of the best musical film adaptations (via Collider). Byrnner received acclaim for his performance in the film and won the Academy Award for Best Actor, making him the first actor of Asian descent to win the award.
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Colin Firth won an Oscar in 2010 for playing George VI
Colin Firth starred in The King’s Speech
Considered one of the best films of 2010, Colin Firth starred in the historical drama The King’s Speech, where he portrayed King George VI of England. Directed by Tom Hooper, the film is set in 20th century England when George, like Prince Albert, suffered from a stutter and had difficulty giving public speeches. To treat stuttering, he received help from speech therapist Lionel Logue which marked the beginning of a long-standing friendship between the two men. The film depicts Albert’s struggles to gain control of his speech and prepare to take on the role of King George VI of England.
In development since the 1980s, The King’s Speech was released to critical acclaim, receiving praise for its depiction of 20th century England and the friendship between King George VI and Lionel Logue. The film received 12 Oscar nominations in 2011 and won four, including Best Picture.; It has since been considered one of Tom Hopper’s best films.
Colin Firth’s performance as King George VI was considered one of the best of his career and earned him his first Oscar for Best Actor. During his acceptance speech, Firth described the award as “the greatest honor“of his career. Since 2011, although several actors have won awards for portraying real people, there have been no further winners in the Oscar for portraying famous kings.
Sources: History today, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Collider