Sir Ralph Richardson (1902-1983) was a British actor, considered one of the dominant figures of 20th-century theatre and cinema. Along with Laurence Olivier and John Gielgud, he formed the celebrated triumvirate that led the British stage for decades. His stage career, closely associated with the Old Vic, was marked by memorable performances in roles such as Falstaff, Peer Gynt, and James Tyrone in *Long Day's Journey into Night*. His film career was also rich in success and recognition. He received two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor for *The Heiress* (1949) and, posthumously, for *Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes* (1984). He won the BAFTA Award for Best British Actor for *The Sound Barrier* (1952) and the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for the film adaptation of *Long Day's Journey into Night* (1962), which he shared with the rest of the male cast. His other notable films include *The Fallen Idol* (1948) and *Doctor Zhivago* (1965). He was knighted in 1947 for his services to the theatre.