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Michael Rennie

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.

  • Known ForActing
  • Born25 August 1909 (age 116)
  • Place of BirthBradford, Yorkshire, England

Michael Rennie

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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.

  • Known ForActing
  • Born25 August 1909 (age 116)
  • Place of BirthBradford, Yorkshire, England
KNOWN FOR
PHOTOS
CREDITS
Poster
Lost In Space Forever
star
6.8
1998
Poster
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
star
5.438
1995
Poster
The Horror Show
star
4.333
1979
Poster
Assignment Terror
star
5.1
1970
Poster
The Battle of El Alamein
star
5.3
1969
Poster
Stoney
star
3.214
1969
Poster
The Power
star
6.2
1968
Poster
Subterfuge
star
4.7
1968
Poster
The Last Chance
star
-
1968
Poster
Seven Into Hell
star
4.0
1968
Poster
The Devil's Brigade
star
6.3
1968
Poster
Naked You Die
star
5.8
1968
Poster
Hondo and the Apaches
star
6.8
1967
Poster
Death on the Run
star
6.2
1967
Poster
Hotel
star
6.1
1967
Poster
Cyborg 2087
star
5.8
1966
Poster
Ride Beyond Vengeance
star
5.9
1966
Poster
Mary, Mary
star
5.2
1963
Poster
The Lost World
star
5.7
1960
Poster
Third Man on the Mountain
star
6.7
1959
Poster
Perilous Assignment
star
10.0
1959
Poster
Battle of the V-1
star
4.5
1958
Poster
Island in the Sun
star
6.7
1957
Poster
Omar Khayyam
star
5.0
1957
Poster
Teenage Rebel
star
6.5
1956
Poster
Soldier of Fortune
star
5.9
1955
Poster
The Rains of Ranchipur
star
4.9
1955
Poster
Seven Cities of Gold
star
5.5
1955
Poster
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
star
6.0
1955
Poster
Demetrius and the Gladiators
star
6.5
1954
Poster
Désirée
star
6.4
1954
Poster
Princess of the Nile
star
7.1
1954
Poster
Mambo
star
5.5
1954
Poster
Dangerous Crossing
star
6.214
1953
Poster
The Robe
star
6.8
1953
Poster
Sailor of the King
star
6.8
1953
Poster
King of the Khyber Rifles
star
5.7
1953
Poster
The Desert Rats
star
6.3
1953
Poster
Titanic
star
6.6
1953
Poster
Phone Call from a Stranger
star
6.4
1952
Poster
5 Fingers
star
7.573
1952
Poster
Les Miserables
star
5.4
1952
Poster
The Day the Earth Stood Still
star
7.45
1951
Poster
The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel
star
6.688
1951
Poster
The 13th Letter
star
5.5
1951
Poster
The House in the Square
star
6.7
1951
Poster
Trio
star
6.3
1950
Poster
The Body Said No!
star
-
1950
Poster
The Black Rose
star
6.5
1950
Poster
Miss Pilgrim's Progress
star
6.0
1949
Poster
The Golden Madonna
star
5.7
1949
Poster
Uneasy Terms
star
4.2
1948
Poster
Idol of Paris
star
7.0
1948
Poster
The Root of All Evil
star
6.8
1947
Poster
White Cradle Inn
star
6.2
1947
Poster
The Wicked Lady
star
6.375
1945
Poster
I'll Be Your Sweetheart
star
5.0
1945
Poster
Caesar and Cleopatra
star
6.1
1945
Poster
The Sky’s the Limit
star
-
1943
Poster
The Big Blockade
star
6.5
1942
Poster
The Patient Vanishes
star
-
1941
Poster
Tower of Terror
star
5.5
1941
Poster
Ships with Wings
star
4.0
1941
Poster
Turned Out Nice Again
star
6.5
1941
Poster
'Pimpernel' Smith
star
7.1
1941
Poster
Dangerous Moonlight
star
6.4
1941
Poster
This Man in Paris
star
-
1939
Poster
The Divorce of Lady X
star
6.079
1938
Poster
Bank Holiday
star
6.0
1938
Poster
The Gap
star
-
1937
Poster
Gangway
star
7.0
1937
Poster
The Squeaker
star
5.2
1937
Poster
Secret Agent
star
6.1
1936
Poster
The Conquest of the Air
star
4.2
1936
Poster
The Man Who Could Work Miracles
star
5.685
1936
Poster
Gypsy
star
-
1936