(Sir) Alec Guinness de Cuffe was born on 2 April 1914, in Maida Vale, London, England, and was one of Britain’s was respected actors of the 20th century, best known for being featured in projects such as “Oliver Twist”, “Great Expectations”, “Doctor Zhivago”, and for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original “Star Wars” trilogy. He passed away in 2000, but all of his efforts helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Guinness? As of early-2018, sources inform us of a net worth that is at $100 million, mostly earned through a successful career in acting which spanned the ‘30s to the ‘90s. He was one of three British actors who would make a successful transition from theatre to films immediately after World War II.
Alec Guinness Net Worth $100 million
Guinness attended Fettes College, supported by the banker Andrew Geddes whom Guinness believed to be his father, though it was never confirmed. After matriculating, he worked on advertising copy, then transitioned to working at a theatre while studying drama. He transferred to work at the Playhouse, before making an appearance at the Albery Theatre in 1936, then appeared in numerous classics including “Thunder Rock” and “Hamlet”, before signing with The Old Vic, and working with many future high profile actors. During the next year he would play more Shakespearean roles, including Romeo in “Romeo and Juliet” and Exeter in “Henry V”.
During World War II, he served as a part of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, and would work his way to become Temporary Lieutenant. He commanded a craft during the Allied invasion of Sicily, and ferried supplies to Yugoslav partisans.
After the war, Guinness returned to The Old Vic, and played several more theatrical roles for two years. Eventually, he would win a Tony Award for his Broadway performance in “Dylan”, in which he played poet Dylan Thomas. He then started to transition to a film career, initially becoming associated with Ealing Comedies. He was a part of “The Lavender Hill Mob”, “The Man in the White Suit” and “The Ladykillers’, and his popularity increased significantly in the 1950s and so did his net worth.
Guinness was nominated an Academy Award for his role in “The Horse’s Mouth”, then also had the titular role in “Hitler: The Last Ten Days”. He found acclaim while working with director David Lean in several projects, appearing in “Great Expectations”, “Oliver Twist”, and “The Bridge on the River Kwai” which would win him an Academy Award for Best Actor. In the 1970s, he found more critical acclaim as a part of the “Star Wars” trilogy which he played Obi-Wan Kenobi. The popularity of the franchise skyrocketed his net worth. According to reports, the popularity of the role would provide him with a significant sum of money as well as unwanted popularity. He continued acting in minor or cameo roles until the mid-1990s, eventually appearing ion more than 60 films, in addition to his numerous performances on stage .
For his personal life, it is known that Guinness was married to actress Merula Sylvia Salaman from 1938 until his death; their child is actor Matthew Guinness. It was revealed after Guinness’ death that he was in fact bisexual, but kept that part of his life private. He passed away in 2000 from liver cancer and was also diagnosed with prostate cancer.
