Paul Scofield

The first biography of Paul Scofield, one of Britain's finest classical actors who has even been described as the greatest actor in the world.Paul Scofield has been acting for sixty years but still constantly surprises and wins the admiration of critics. In December 2000 he was awarded the Companion of Honour in recognition of his outstanding contribution to film and theatre. Of the same generation as Redgrave, Gielgud and Olivier, Scofield too won international acclaim. He was awarded an Oscar for his portrayal of Sir Thomas More in A Man For All Seasons in 1966 - and was nominated for best supporting actor for his role as Ralph Fiennes' father in Quiz Show in 1995. He has played all the great stage roles - Tynan described his Hamlet as the best he'd ever seen and he won a Bafta in 1997 for The Crucible.Garry O'Connor has spoken to the famously reclusive Scofield himself, as well as to many of the actors and directors he has worked with, including Simon Callow, Trevor Nunn, Richard Eyre and Peter Hall. The result is a masterly biography that paints a revealing portrait of a man who, for the serious film and theatre-goer, is more of an icon than any other living actor.