Laurence Olivier, Baron Olivier of Brighton, was born in Dorking in 1907. He's best known these days for roles in films ranging from Wuthering Heights to Spartacus to the ageing Nazi hunter Ezra Lieberman in The Boys from Brazil. He received twelve Oscar nominations but was in his pomp on stage, particularly in John Osborne's The Entertainer, and in multiple Shakespearean roles. He was also the first director of the National Theatre.
Nominating Olivier is political writer turned playwright Tim Walker, author of When Maggie Met Larry. This is the extraordinary tale of how Olivier, who was known for over the top performances, helped to shape Mrs Thatcher's appearance as she rose to become prime minister. Also joining the discussion is Sir Derek Jacobi, who confirms this story and who was a good friend of Olivier in his later years. Derek Jacobi was one of the founding members of the National Theatre alongside Maggie Smith, Frank Finlay and Joan Plowright, who became Olivier's third and final wife.
"He was a god. To me he was a god. I remember him saying, 'Call me Larry.' I could no more call him Larry than fly to the moon." Sir Derek Jacobi.
Olivier was also famously married to Vivien Leigh, star of Gone with the Wind, and before that to Jill Esmond.
This is presenter Matthew Parris's 61st and final series of Great Lives. He's been the presenter since April 2006. His guests in this final run include Mel Giedroyc, Russell Kane, Ruby Tandoh and Pauline Black of The Selector who has picked singer Poly Styrene of X Ray Spex.
"I adore presenting this show, and believe my series editor and I have done a good job. The programme goes from strength to strength. But I'll be 77 soon. Quit when you're winning." Matthew Parris in The Times, June 2026