Michael Rennie

Actor, Productor

25 de agosto de 1909 — 10 de junio de 1971 (61 years)
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.

Películas y series en Plex

  • Bonanza
    Bonanza2 seasons
  • César y Cleopatra
    César y Cleopatra1945
  • Llama a un desconocido
    Llama a un desconocido1952
  • Route 66
    Route 664 seasons
  • El divorcio de la señorita X
    El divorcio de la señorita X1938
  • Crimen en la residencia
    Crimen en la residencia1968
  • Medio hombre, medio máquina
    Medio hombre, medio máquina1966

Conocido por

  • Ultimátum a la Tierra
    Ultimátum a la Tierra1951
  • El mundo perdido
    El mundo perdido1960
  • La túnica sagrada
    La túnica sagrada1953
  • Operación Cicerón
    Operación Cicerón1952
  • Travesía peligrosa
    Travesía peligrosa1953
  • El tercer hombre en la montaña
    El tercer hombre en la montaña1959
  • Los monstruos del terror
    Los monstruos del terror1970
  • El inspector de hierro
    El inspector de hierro1952
  • Llama a un desconocido
    Llama a un desconocido1952
  • Désirée
    Désirée1954
  • Medio hombre, medio máquina
    Medio hombre, medio máquina1966
  • Cita en Hong Kong
    Cita en Hong Kong1955
  • Los invasores
    Los invasores2 seasons
  • La rosa negra
    La rosa negra1950
  • Noche de violencia
    Noche de violencia1966
  • Missiles from Hell
    Missiles from Hell1958
  • Hombre de dos mundos
    Hombre de dos mundos1951
  • La mujer bandido
    La mujer bandido1945
  • Una isla al sol
    Una isla al sol1957
  • Intriga en el Gran Hotel
    Intriga en el Gran Hotel1967

Filmography

2005
1998
Lost in Space Forever · as The Keeper (archive Footage)
1997
Twentieth Century Fox: The First 50 Years · as Actor 'the Day The Earth Stood Still'
1993
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey · as Klaatu (archive Footage) (uncredited)
1979
The Horror Show · as (archive Footage)
1970
Assignment Terror · as Dr. Odo Warnoff
1969
The Battle of El Alamein · as Bernard Law Montgomery
1969
Stoney · as Harvey Ward
1968
Subterfuge · as Goldsmith
1968
Commando Attack · as Blynn
1968
The Devil's Brigade · as Lt. Gen. Mark Clark
1968
The Last Chance · as George Mcconnell
1968
Premiere · as Cast
1968
The Power · as Arthur Nordlund
1968
The Young, the Evil and the Savage · as Inspector DurandEn Plex
1967
Death on the Run · as Major Worthington Clark
1967
The Danny Thomas Hour · as Paul Heaton
1967
Hondo and the Apaches · as Tribolet
1967
1967
Hotel · as Geoffrey - Duke Of Lanbourne
1967
The Invaders · as Vice Chancellor Pierre Alquist
1966
1966
Cyborg 2087 · as Garth A7En Plex
1966
1966
1966
The Iron Horse · as Johnny Hobart
1966
The Time Tunnel · as Capt. Malcolm Smith
1966
Batman (1966) · as Sandman
1966
Ride Beyond Vengeance · as Brooks Durham
1965
The F.B.I. · as Eric Reverson
1965
Lost in Space · as The Keeper
1965
I Spy · as Hamilton
1965
1964
Daniel Boone · as Maj. Peter Wellington
1964
The Man from U.N.C.L.E. · as Barnaby Partridge
1964
12 O'Clock High · as Gen. St. John Keighley
1963
Mary, Mary · as Dirk Winston
1963
Kraft Suspense Theatre · as Robert Thurston
1963
1963
The Great Adventure · as President Jefferson Davis
1962
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour · as Ralph Manson
1962
The Virginian · as Michael O'rourke
1961
The Dick Powell Show · as General Conrad Munday
1961
The Americans · as Capt. James Duquesne
1960
Route 66En Plex
1960
1960
The Lost World · as Lord John Roxton
1959
Third Man on the Mountain · as Captain John Winter
1959
Bonanza · as Prof. Poppy / Dr. P.a. MundyEn Plex
1959
1958
Pursuit · as Joe Rogers - Private Eye
1958
Missiles from Hell · as Stefan
1958
Shirley Temple's Storybook · as Captain Creighton
1957
1957
Suspicion · as Angus Martin
1957
1957
Perry Mason · as Prof. Edward Lindley
1957
Wagon Train · as John Cameron
1957
Omar Khayyam · as Hasani Sabah
1957
Island in the Sun · as Hilary Carson
1956
Teenage Rebel · as Jay Fallon
1956
Zane Grey Theatre · as Matthew Birch
1956
Playhouse 90 · as Eric Millet
1955
The Rains of Ranchipur · as Lord Albert Esketh
1955
Seven Cities of Gold · as Father Junipero Serra
1955
1955
Alfred Hitchcock Presents · as Sir Humphrey J. Orford
1955
Soldier of Fortune · as Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police
1954
Désirée · as Bernadotte
1954
Producers' Showcase · as Howard Joyce
1954
Climax! · as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
1954
Mambo · as Enrico Marisoni
1954
1954
Princess of the Nile · as Rama Khan
1954
Prince Valiant · as Narrator
1953
King of the Khyber Rifles · as Brig. Gen. J. R. Maitland
1953
The Robe · as Peter
1953
Dangerous Crossing · as Dr. Paul Manning
1953
Titanic · as End Narrator (voice)
1953
Sailor of the King · as Lt. Richard Saville
1953
The Desert Rats · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
1952
Pony Soldier · as Ending Narrator
1952
Les Miserables · as Jean Valjean
1952
5 Fingers · as Colin Travers
1952
Phone Call from a Stranger · as Dr. Robert FortnessEn Plex
1951
I'll Never Forget You · as Roger Forsyth
1951
The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
1951
1951
The Day the Earth Stood Still · as Klaatu, Alias Mr. Carpenter
1951
The 13th Letter · as Dr. Pearson
1950
Trio · as Major George Templeton (segment Sanatorium)
1950
The Black Rose · as King Edward
1950
The Body Said No! · as The Body
1949
The Golden Madonna · as Mike Christie
1948
Uneasy Terms · as Slim Callaghan
1948
Idol of Paris · as Hertz
1947
High Fury · as Rudolph
1947
The Root of All Evil · as Charles Mortimer
1945
Caesar and Cleopatra · as 1st CenturionEn Plex
1945
The Wicked Lady · as Kit Locksby
1945
1942
The Big Blockade · as George
1941
Tower of Terror · as Anthony Hale
1941
Ships with Wings · as Lieut. Maxwell
1941
1941
Mister V · as Prison Camp Officer
1941
Suicide Squadron · as Kapulski
1940
The Briggs Family · as Plainclothes Policeman
1938
Bank Holiday · as Guardsman (uncredited)
1938
The Divorce of Lady X · as Minor Role (uncredited)En Plex
1937
Murder on Diamond Row · as Medical Examiner
1937
The Gap · as Chemist-Radio Operator (uncredited)
1937
Gangway · as Ship's Officer
1936
The Man Who Could Work Miracles · as San Francisco Cop
1936
Secret Agent · as Army Captain (uncredited)
1931
The Conquest of the Air · as Marquis D'arlandes (uncredited)

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