Rugged, husky, intelligent leading man who lived in Australia from age 10, appearing in indigenous films from the mid-1930s and enjoying some success as a radio actor. Finch's screen career took off after he was spotted by Laurence Olivier, who invited him to London in 1949. After some highly successful stage work, his film career took off as he approached middle age in the mid-1950s with films including the slight but charming romantic comedy "Simon and Laura" (1955) and the somber war drama, "A Town Like Alice" (1956). "The Nun's Story" (1959), in which he played a crusty surgeon working until rough conditions in the Belgian Congo, marked an early successful involvement with US and international production.
Finch was somewhat less busy during the 60s, but early in the decade he gave acclaimed, award-winning performances in the title role of "The Trials of Oscar Wilde" (1960) and the Parliament-set drama, "No Love for Johnnie" (1961). He also teamed memorably with Anne Bancroft in the fine marital drama, "The Pumpkin Eater" (1964). The 70s saw the dynamic, gruff Finch in outstanding form as the homosexual doctor in "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (1971) and as the raving news commentator in his swansong, "Network" (1976) for which he won a posthumous Oscar. Son Charles Finch made his writing and directing debut with "Love Dream" (1988).
Family
MOTHER: Alicia Gladys Fisher. English.
DAUGHTER: Anita Finch. Mother, Tamara Tchinarava.
DAUGHTER: Samantha Finch. Mother, Yolande Turner.
SON: Charles Finch. Agent, former director and screenwriter, actor. Born c. 1962; mother, Yolande Turner; directed "Where Sleeping Dogs Lie" (1992); in 2000, formed Artists Independent Network, handling clients like Gillian Anderson, Willem Dafoe and Jamie Bell.
DAUGHTER: Diana Finch. Mother, Yolande Turner.
Companion
WIFE: Tamara Tchinarava. Ballerina. Married in 1943; divorced in 1958.
COMPANION: Vivien Leigh. Actor. Had affair when Finch toured Australia with Leigh and Laurence Olivier in 1948.
WIFE: Yolande Turner. Actor. Divorced c. 1968.
COMPANION: Shirley Bassey. Singer. Had relationship in the late 1960s.
WIFE: Eletha Barrett. Jamaican.
Milestone
1926: After parents divorce lived with grandmother in Paris and India until age 10 then moved to Australia
Worked as a waiter and apprentice on a sheep farm
Joined a variety act as a stooge to the comedian; toured Australia and performed in tent shows
1935: Stage acting debut touring New South Wales in "While Parents Sleep"
1935: First Australian film as actor, "Magic Shoes" (unreleased)
1938: First released Australian film as actor, "Dad and Dave Come to Town"
Served with Australian First Army in anti-aircraft battalion in Middle East during WWII
Formed own traveling theater company, the Mercury (after Orson Welles's company) which performed the classics in little theaters and factories at lunch time; Laurence Olivier visited company while touring Australia with the Old Vic in 1947
1948: First film credit as assistant director and casting director, "Eureka Stockade"
1949: British film acting debut, "Train of Events" ("The Actor" episode)
1949: Joined Old Vic in London; under contract to Laurence Olivier (date approximate)
1949: London stage debut opposite Edith Evans in "Daphne Laureola"
1960: Debut as film director, writer and producer of short, "Antonito"
1977: Collapsed in the Beverly Hills Hotel lobby while waiting to appear on "Good Morning America" to promote "Network"
"In the right material he always looked good--he has a good actor's voice and stance, a touch of arrogance, a touch of humour, some warmth, leading man's looks and the same sort of gritty dependability that characterized the great male stars of Hollywood's golden age." --David Shipman ("The Great Movie Stars--The International Years" 1972)
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