His career spanned 76 years.
In 1936, he and Leslie Howard appeared on Broadway in "rival" productions of "Hamlet". Gielgud's was the more successful of the two.
Knighted in 1953 and appointed a Companion of Honour in 1977.
Longtime lover Martin Hensler, 30 years younger, died. [1999]
Made member of 'Order of Merit' by Queen Elizabeth II for exeptional contributions to arts. [December 1996]
Three-time Tony winner, Gielgud graced the Broadway boards as a live performer 15 times between 1928 and 1976, yet never won an acting Tony Award. He was nominated twice for Best Actor (Dramatic): Edward Albee's "Tiny Alice" and in 1971 for David Storey's "Home." It was as a director that he was honored, with the 1961 Tony as Best Director (Dramatic) for "Big Fish, Little Fish." Directing a total of 15 Broadway productions starring himself or others, he also was nominated as Best Director (Dramatic) in 1963 for Richard B. Sheridan's "The School for Scandal." He won two other Tonys, a 1959 Special Award "for his contribution to theatre for his extraordinary insight into the writings of Shakespeare as demonstrated in his one-man play, 'Ages of Man'," and shared in a 1948 award for Oustanding Foreign Company for Oscar Wilde 's "The Importance of Being Earnest," which he produced, directed and starred in.
Uncle of dancer Maina Gielgud .
Was J.K. Rowling's original inspiration for the character of Albus Dumbledore.
Won a Tony in 1961 for Best Director of a Play for "Big Fish, Little Fish".