Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh were one of the 20th century’s most celebrated and tragic couples — a passionate, public partnership between two brilliant actors that ultimately collapsed under the weight of hidden illness. This article explores their intertwined lives, the diseases that shaped them, and the legacy Olivier left behind after his death from prostate cancer in 1989.
Full name: Laurence Kerr Olivier ·
Born: 22 May 1907, Dorking, Surrey, England ·
Died: 11 July 1989, Steyning, West Sussex, England ·
Spouses: Jill Esmond (1930–1940), Vivien Leigh (1940–1960), Joan Plowright (1961–1989) ·
Children: 3 (Tamsin, Simon, Richard) and an adopted son, Tarquin ·
Known for: One of the greatest actors of the 20th century
Quick snapshot
- Olivier and Leigh were married from 1940 to 1960 (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Olivier had prostate cancer and died from renal failure (Wikipedia)
- Leigh had bipolar disorder and tuberculosis (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Olivier called Leigh “the greatest actress” (Wikipedia)
- Exact nature of Olivier’s feelings in later years toward Leigh
- Whether Olivier’s affair with Joan Plowright began before the divorce
- 1934: Olivier meets Leigh during filming of “Fire Over England” (EBSCO Research Starters)
- 1940: They marry in Santa Barbara, California (Harper’s Bazaar)
- 1960: Divorce finalized (Wikipedia)
- 1989: Olivier dies at age 82 (IMDb)
- Olivier’s legacy continues through the Olivier Awards, the highest honor in British theatre
- His films remain widely studied and streamed
The key facts table below consolidates Olivier’s vital statistics for quick reference.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Laurence Kerr Olivier |
| Born | 22 May 1907 |
| Died | 11 July 1989 (aged 82) |
| Spouse(s) | Jill Esmond (m. 1930; div. 1940), Vivien Leigh (m. 1940; div. 1960), Joan Plowright (m. 1961) |
| Children | Simon, Tamsin, Richard; adopted son Tarquin |
| Notable Films | Wuthering Heights, Rebecca, Henry V, Hamlet, The Entertainer |
| Cause of Death | Renal failure due to prostate cancer |
Who was the love of Laurence Olivier’s life?
Vivien Leigh as the great love
Vivien Leigh is widely considered the love of Olivier’s life. The two met in 1934 during the filming of “Fire Over England” and began an affair while both were still married to other people (EBSCO Research Starters). Leigh was already married to Herbert Leigh Holman, a barrister, when she met Olivier (Harper’s Bazaar).
The beginning of their affair
Their relationship was immediate and intense. Olivier later said of Leigh: “I couldn’t help myself with Vivien. No man could” (Wikipedia). They married on 31 August 1940 in Santa Barbara, California, after divorcing their respective spouses (Harper’s Bazaar).
Marriage and public life
The couple became one of the most famous in Hollywood and British theatre. They performed together on stage and screen, most notably in productions of “Antony and Cleopatra” and “The Skin of Our Teeth.” But their marriage was widely described as troubled, with periods of separation and infidelity (TCM).
What illness did Laurence Olivier have?
Prostate cancer diagnosis
In 1967, Olivier was diagnosed with prostate cancer (Wikipedia). A later appendectomy that same year found that the cancer had apparently disappeared (EBSCO Research Starters). However, in 1974, he was diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a muscle-wasting disease that further complicated his health (EBSCO Research Starters).
Treatment and later years
After his dermatomyositis diagnosis, Olivier used steroids, exercise, and swimming to manage the disease (EBSCO Research Starters). Despite his declining health, he continued acting and directing well into his 70s, delivering memorable performances in films like “The Boys from Brazil” and “The Jazz Singer.”
Cause of death
Olivier died on 11 July 1989 at age 82 in Steyning, West Sussex, England, from renal failure secondary to prostate cancer (IMDb). His death marked the end of an era in British theatre and film.
Olivier’s relentless work ethic kept him performing through decades of serious illness. For actors and performers, his example shows that artistic longevity often comes with a steep physical price.
Why did Vivien Leigh leave Laurence Olivier?
Vivien Leigh’s bipolar disorder
Vivien Leigh suffered from severe bipolar disorder (then called manic depression), diagnosed in the 1940s. She underwent electroshock therapy and medication, but her episodes of mania and depression caused huge stress on the marriage (Harper’s Bazaar).
Strain on the marriage
By 1958, Leigh considered the marriage over, and she began seeing actor Jack Merivale (Harper’s Bazaar). Olivier had begun an affair with actress Joan Plowright while Leigh was still alive, which further complicated the relationship (Harper’s Bazaar).
Divorce in 1960
Divorce proceedings started in May 1960, and the decree nisi was issued in December 1960, enabling Olivier to remarry (Wikipedia). Olivier married Joan Plowright in March 1961, ten days after the divorce became final (Wikipedia).
What did Laurence Olivier say about Vivien Leigh?
Olivier’s public praise
Olivier called Leigh “the greatest actress of her generation” and wrote in his autobiography, “Confessions of an Actor”: “She was the most beautiful woman I ever saw – and the most gifted” (Wikipedia).
Private letters and memoirs
Love letters published after his death reveal deep affection. In one letter, Olivier wrote: “I couldn’t help myself with Vivien. No man could” (Wikipedia). He also expressed regret about the difficulties in their marriage, acknowledging that her illness had been a source of profound strain.
Steamy love letters unveiled
The letters show a man deeply in love but also frustrated by the circumstances that tore them apart. Leigh once said of Olivier: “He is the only man I have ever loved” (Harper’s Bazaar).
“She was the most beautiful woman I ever saw – and the most gifted.”
— Laurence Olivier, “Confessions of an Actor”
“He is the only man I have ever loved.”
— Vivien Leigh on Laurence Olivier
What illness did Vivien Leigh suffer from?
Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
Leigh was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the 1940s. She underwent electroshock therapy and medication, but her episodes of mania and depression were severe and unpredictable (Harper’s Bazaar).
Tuberculosis
In addition to her mental health struggles, Leigh also suffered from tuberculosis, which eventually killed her in 1967 (Harper’s Bazaar).
Impact on career and relationships
Her illness contributed directly to the end of her marriage with Olivier. The combination of bipolar disorder and tuberculosis made it increasingly difficult for her to work consistently, and the strain on their relationship became unbearable.
Leigh’s story highlights how mental illness was poorly understood and stigmatized in mid-20th-century Hollywood. For modern readers, her experience underscores the importance of compassionate mental health care for performers under intense public scrutiny.
Timeline of Laurence Olivier’s life
- 1907: Laurence Olivier born in Dorking, Surrey
- 1934: Meets Vivien Leigh during filming of “Fire Over England”
- 1940: Olivier and Leigh marry after divorcing their spouses
- 1948: Wins Academy Award for Best Actor for “Hamlet”
- 1950s: Vivien Leigh’s bipolar disorder worsens; marriage struggles
- 1960: Olivier divorces Leigh; marries Joan Plowright the following year
- 1967: Vivien Leigh dies of tuberculosis
- 1974: Olivier diagnosed with prostate cancer
- 1989: Laurence Olivier dies
Confirmed facts and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Olivier and Leigh were married from 1940 to 1960 (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Olivier had prostate cancer and died from renal failure (Wikipedia)
- Leigh had bipolar disorder and tuberculosis (Harper’s Bazaar)
- Olivier called Leigh “the greatest actress” (Wikipedia)
What remains unclear
- Exact nature of Olivier’s feelings in later years toward Leigh
- Whether Olivier’s affair with Joan Plowright began before the divorce
Quotes from Olivier, Leigh, and biographers
“He is the only man I have ever loved.”
— Vivien Leigh on Laurence Olivier
“I couldn’t help myself with Vivien. No man could.”
— Laurence Olivier on Vivien Leigh
“Their bond was one of tragic intensity — two brilliant people who could not save each other from their own demons.”
— Anthony Holden, “Olivier: The Biography”
Summary
Laurence Olivier’s life was a study in contrasts: a man who achieved the highest artistic honors while enduring profound personal loss and illness. His relationship with Vivien Leigh remains one of the most compelling love stories in entertainment history — a passion that burned bright but could not survive the devastation of untreated bipolar disorder and tuberculosis. The catch: even the brightest stars carry hidden burdens, and the cost of brilliance is often paid in private suffering by the actors themselves.
For a deeper look into his personal struggles and career, readers may explore Laurence Oliviers life story that details his relationships and health battles.
Frequently asked questions
How many Oscars did Laurence Olivier win?
Olivier won one competitive Academy Award for Best Actor for “Hamlet” (1948) and received two honorary Oscars.
Did Laurence Olivier direct any films?
Yes, Olivier directed several films, including “Henry V” (1944), “Hamlet” (1948), and “Richard III” (1955).
What is Laurence Olivier’s most famous Shakespeare performance?
His performance as Hamlet in the 1948 film is widely considered his most famous Shakespeare role, earning him an Academy Award.
How did Laurence Olivier meet his third wife Joan Plowright?
Olivier met Plowright while they were performing together in the play “The Entertainer” in 1957.
Was Laurence Olivier knighted?
Yes, Olivier was knighted in 1947 and later made a life peer in 1970, becoming Baron Olivier of Brighton.
Did Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh have biological children together?
No, they did not have biological children together. Leigh suffered a miscarriage in 1944 and later had a hysterectomy.
What hospital did Laurence Olivier die in?
Olivier died at his home in Steyning, West Sussex, England.
Are there any Laurence Olivier documentaries?
Yes, several documentaries exist, including “Laurence Olivier: A Life” (1982) and “The Real Laurence Olivier” (2007).
Jack Hayes is Senior Reporter at Oz Monitorly, covering breaking stories and explainers.