Illustrious British stage actor who made his professional debut in 1921 and first gained prominence--like John Gielgud and Alec Guinness--for his Shakespearean performances with the Old Vic. Richardson's film career was always secondary to his work in the theater, though he turned in several fine supporting roles, notably in the films of Carol Reed. He was memorable as the manservant in "The Fallen Idol" (1948), as Buckingham in "Richard III" (1955) and as the father in Sidney Lumet's "Long Day's Journey into Night" (1962). Twice Oscar-nominated, for "The Heiress" (1949) and his final film,
