1909-08-25 ( 115 years old ) in Bradford, Yorkshire, England
Michael Rennie (born August 1909 – June 10, 1971) was an English actor best known for his role as Klaatu in the science fiction classic The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). He enjoyed a successful career spanning film, television, and theater, gaining fame for his dignified and often authoritative roles.
Michael Rennie was born Eric Alexander Rennie in Ilford, Essex, England. His early interest in acting led him to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where he trained and developed his skills as a performer. He worked initially in British theater before transitioning to film.
Rennie’s early career included several roles in British films, but it was his move to Hollywood in the 1940s that helped him gain more widespread recognition. He appeared in a series of films, often portraying dignified or authoritative characters, with his tall stature, smooth voice, and good looks making him a natural fit for leading roles.
His breakthrough came with the science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), where he portrayed the alien visitor Klaatu. The film is considered one of the most influential sci-fi movies of all time, and Rennie’s portrayal of the calm and rational Klaatu became iconic. The film's message of peace, tolerance, and warning against militarism resonated with audiences, and Rennie’s performance as the alien ambassador remains one of his most famous and enduring roles.
Following The Day the Earth Stood Still, Rennie continued to appear in a variety of films, often in roles of authority or leadership. Some notable films he starred in include The Lost World (1960), The 27th Day (1957), and Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959), where he appeared alongside actors like James Mason and Pat Boone.
Rennie also appeared in numerous television series, including The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and The Invaders. In the 1960s, he had roles in various TV shows, further establishing his presence in the science fiction and adventure genres.
Rennie was married twice. His first marriage was to actress Dorothy Dandridge in 1959, but they eventually divorced. Later, he married Shirley Sutherland, with whom he remained until his death.
Despite his fame, Rennie led a relatively private life and was known to be a gentleman both on and off screen. He had a reputation for being reserved and professional, a trait that made him well-suited to the types of roles he was often cast in.
Michael Rennie passed away on June 10, 1971, at the age of 61, from a heart attack while vacationing in Spain. His death marked the end of a distinguished career in film and television.
Rennie’s most enduring legacy is his portrayal of Klaatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still, which remains a staple of science fiction cinema. His calm, authoritative presence in the film and his portrayal of an alien visitor with a message of peace continue to resonate with audiences and are considered a high point in 1950s science fiction. Throughout his career, he brought dignity and depth to the roles he played, earning him a place in cinematic history, particularly within the science fiction genre.
Movies
Lost In Space Forever
1998-01-01
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
1995-08-24
The Horror Show
1979-02-06
Assignment Terror
1970-02-24
The Battle of El Alamein
1969-01-01
Stoney
1969-01-01
Subterfuge
1968-12-12
The Last Chance
1968-07-09
Seven Into Hell
1968-06-02
The Devil's Brigade
1968-05-15
The Power
1968-02-21
Naked You Die
1968-02-20
Death on the Run
1967-10-09
Hondo and the Apaches
1967-09-08
Hotel
1967-01-19
Cyborg 2087
1966-10-01
Ride Beyond Vengeance
1966-01-01
Mary, Mary
1963-10-24
The Lost World
1960-07-13
Third Man on the Mountain
1959-11-10
Perilous Assignment
1959-11-06
Battle of the V-1
1958-01-01
Omar Khayyam
1957-08-23
Island in the Sun
1957-06-12
Teenage Rebel
1956-11-01
The Rains of Ranchipur
1955-12-14
Seven Cities of Gold
1955-10-07
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1955-07-28
Soldier of Fortune
1955-05-24
Désirée
1954-11-16
Mambo
1954-09-18
Princess of the Nile
1954-07-01
Demetrius and the Gladiators
1954-06-16
King of the Khyber Rifles
1953-12-23
The Robe
1953-09-16
Dangerous Crossing
1953-07-22
Sailor of the King
1953-06-11
The Desert Rats
1953-05-20
Titanic
1953-04-11
Les Miserables
1952-08-14
5 Fingers
1952-02-22
Phone Call from a Stranger
1952-02-01
The House in the Square
1951-12-07
The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel
1951-10-16
The Day the Earth Stood Still
1951-09-28
The 13th Letter
1951-02-21
Trio
1950-10-10
The Black Rose
1950-09-01
The Body Said No!
1950-04-30
Miss Pilgrim's Progress
1949-11-29
The Golden Madonna
1949-05-23
Uneasy Terms
1948-07-06
Idol of Paris
1948-04-24
White Cradle Inn
1947-02-28
The Root of All Evil
1947-02-05
Caesar and Cleopatra
1945-12-11
The Wicked Lady
1945-11-15
I'll Be Your Sweetheart
1945-07-30
The Sky’s the Limit
1943-01-01
The Big Blockade
1942-01-19
Tower of Terror
1941-12-27
Ships with Wings
1941-11-10
Turned Out Nice Again
1941-08-01
'Pimpernel' Smith
1941-07-28
The Patient Vanishes
1941-07-21
Dangerous Moonlight
1941-06-26
This Man in Paris
1939-07-01
Bank Holiday
1938-01-27
The Divorce of Lady X
1938-01-15
The Squeaker
1937-11-11
The Gap
1937-09-01
Gangway
1937-08-19
Gypsy
1936-12-29
The Conquest of the Air
1936-12-01
The Man Who Could Work Miracles
1936-07-23
Secret Agent
1936-05-31
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