David Paul Scofield (21 January 1922 – 19 March 2008) was an English actor of stage and screen. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, known for his distinctive voice, commanding presence, and intellectual rigor in approaching roles.
Early Life and Training Scofield was born in Hurstpierpoint, Sussex, England. He attended the Varndean School for Boys in Brighton and trained at the Croydon Repertory Theatre School and the London Mask Theatre School. He made his professional stage debut in 1940.
Stage Career Scofield established his reputation in the theatre, particularly through his association with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the Royal National Theatre.
- Notable Stage Roles: His breakthrough came with A Man for All Seasons (1960), playing Sir Thomas More, a role he originated in the West End and on Broadway, winning a Tony Award.
- He was celebrated for his performances in Shakespearean roles, including King Lear (1962, directed by Peter Brook), Hamlet, Othello, and Macbeth.
- Other significant stage work includes The Power and the Glory, Amadeus (as Salieri, original London production), and John Gabriel Borkman.
- He received the Critics' Circle Theatre Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in 1994.
Film and Television Career Though selective in his screen work, Scofield achieved major critical acclaim.
- A Man for All Seasons (1966): He won the Academy Award for Best Actor, the BAFTA Award, and the Golden Globe for reprising his stage role as Sir Thomas More.
- Other Notable Films: The Train (1964), King Lear (1971, directed by Peter Brook), A Delicate Balance (1973), Henry V (1989), The Crucible (1996), Amistad (1997), Elizabeth (1998), and The Last of the Mohicans (1992).
- Television: He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for Male of the Species (1969) and a BAFTA TV Award for The Final Days (1983).
Honors and Awards Scofield achieved the "Triple Crown of Acting" (Academy Award, Emmy Award, Tony Award).
- He was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1956.
- He was appointed Companion of Honour (CH) in 2001.
- He declined a knighthood on at least one occasion.
- He received the Sam Wanamaker Award (1996) and the Praemium Imperiale for Theatre/Film (2002).
Personal Life Scofield married actress Joy Parker in 1943; they had two children, Martin and Sarah. He was known for his intensely private nature and preference for a quiet family life away from the public eye, often refusing interviews and premieres.
Death Paul Scofield died from leukemia on 19 March 2008 at the age of 86 in a hospital near his home in Balcombe, West Sussex.
