MR
Michael Rennie
Actor, Producer
Born August 25, 1909Died June 10, 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.
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.
Movies & Shows on Plex
Known For
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 | The Power · as Arthur Nordlund |
| 1968 | Naked You Die · as Inspector Durand |
| 1967 | Death on the Run · as Major Worthington Clark |
| 1967 | The Danny Thomas Hour (TV Series) · as Paul Heaton |
| 1967 | Hondo and the Apaches · as Tribolet |
| 1967 | Hondo (TV Series) |
| 1967 | Hotel · as Geoffrey - Duke Of Lanbourne |
| 1967 | The Invaders (TV Series) · as Vice Chancellor Pierre Alquist |
| 1966 | Cyborg 2087 · as Garth A7 |
| 1966 | Jericho (TV Series) |
| 1966 | ABC Stage 67 (TV Series) |
| 1966 | The Iron Horse (TV Series) · as Johnny Hobart |
| 1966 | The Time Tunnel (TV Series) · as Capt. Malcolm Smith |
| 1966 | Batman (TV Series) · as Sandman |
| 1966 | Ride Beyond Vengeance · as Brooks Durham |
| 1965 | The F.B.I. (TV Series) · as Conrad Letterman |
| 1965 | Lost in Space (TV Series) · as The Keeper |
| 1965 | I Spy (TV Series) · as Hamilton |
| 1965 | Branded (TV Series) |
| 1964 | Daniel Boone (TV Series) · as Edgar Newton |
| 1964 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (TV Series) · as Barnaby Partridge |
| 1964 | 12 O'Clock High (TV Series) · as Gen. St. John Keighley |
| 1963 | Mary, Mary · as Dirk Winston |
| 1963 | Kraft Suspense Theatre (TV Series) · as Robert Thurston |
| 1963 | Bob Hope Presents The Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) · as Edward Parker Greene |
| 1963 | The Great Adventure (TV Series) · as President Jefferson Davis |
| 1962 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (TV Series) · as Ralph Manson |
| 1962 | The Virginian (TV Series) · as Michael O'rourke |
| 1961 | The Dick Powell Show (TV Series) · as General Conrad Munday |
| 1961 | The Americans (TV Series) · as Capt. James Duquesne |
| 1960 | |
| 1960 | The Barbara Stanwyck Show (TV Series) · as Julius |
| 1960 | The Lost World · as Lord John Roxton |
| 1959 | Third Man on the Mountain · as Captain John Winter |
| 1959 | |
| 1959 | The Third Man (TV Series) |
| 1958 | Pursuit (TV Series) · as Joe Rogers - Private Eye |
| 1958 | Missiles from Hell · as Stefan |
| 1958 | Shirley Temple's Storybook (TV Series) · as Captain Creighton |
| 1957 | The Frank Sinatra Show (TV Series) · as Cast |
| 1957 | Suspicion (TV Series) · as Angus Martin |
| 1957 | The DuPont Show of the Month (TV Series) |
| 1957 | Perry Mason (TV Series) · as Prof. Edward Lindley |
| 1957 | Wagon Train (TV Series) · 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 Theater (TV Series) · as Matthew Birch |
| 1956 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) · as Eric Millet |
| 1955 | The Rains of Ranchipur · as Lord Albert Esketh |
| 1955 | Seven Cities of Gold · as Father Junipero Serra |
| 1955 | The 20th Century-Fox Hour (TV Series) · as Narrator |
| 1955 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) · as Allen Bliss |
| 1955 | Soldier of Fortune · as Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police |
| 1954 | Désirée · as Bernadotte |
| 1954 | Producers' Showcase (TV Series) · as Howard Joyce |
| 1954 | Climax! (TV Series) · as James Maclennan |
| 1954 | Mambo · as Enrico Marisoni |
| 1954 | Demetrius and the Gladiators · as Peter |
| 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 Fortness |
| 1951 | I'll Never Forget You · as Roger Forsyth |
| 1951 | The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited) |
| 1951 | Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (TV Series) |
| 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 | |
| 1949 | The Golden Madonna · as Mike Christie |
| 1948 | Uneasy Terms · as Slim Callaghan |
| 1948 | Idol of Paris · as Hertz |
| 1948 | Morning Departure · as Lt-Cmdr. Stanford |
| 1947 | High Fury · as Rudolph |
| 1947 | The Root of All Evil · as Charles Mortimer |
| 1945 | Caesar and Cleopatra · as 1st Centurion |
| 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 | Turned Out Nice Again · as Diner |
| 1941 | 'Pimpernel' Smith · 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) |
| 1937 | Murder on Diamond Row · as Medical Examiner |
| 1937 | The Gap · as Chemist-Radio Operator (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Gangway · as Ship's Officer |
| 1936 | |
| 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) |