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Eric Alexander Rennie
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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.
Info
- wc Gender: Male
- calendar_month Birth Date: 1909-08-25
- event Death Date 1971-06-10
- school Known for: Acting
- star Popularity: 0.9
- info Birth Place Bradford, Yorkshire, England
- visibility Views: 2 views
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star User Ratings:
image Images
smart_display Movies and TV shows by Michael Rennie
7.5
The Day the Earth Stood Still
1951-09-28
5.1
Assignment Terror
1970-02-24
5.7
The Lost World
1960-07-13
0
This Man in Paris
1939-07-01
6.7
The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel
1951-10-16
0
The Patient Vanishes
1941-07-21
3.8
The Horror Show
1979-02-06
6.4
The Wicked Lady
1945-11-15
6.3
Dangerous Crossing
1953-07-22
6.8
The Robe
1953-09-16
6.5
Désirée
1954-11-16
6.5
Demetrius and the Gladiators
1954-06-16
5.8
Cyborg 2087
1966-10-01
6.7
Island in the Sun
1957-06-12
6.8
Sailor of the King
1953-06-11
5.9
Soldier of Fortune
1955-05-24
6.2
The Power
1968-02-21
6.7
Third Man on the Mountain
1959-11-10
5.7
King of the Khyber Rifles
1953-12-23
4.9
The Rains of Ranchipur
1955-12-14
5.5
The 13th Letter
1951-02-21
6.7
The House in the Square
1951-12-07
6.4
Phone Call from a Stranger
1952-02-01
6.5
Teenage Rebel
1956-11-01
7.6
5 Fingers
1952-02-22
6.8
Lost In Space Forever
1998-01-01
5.9
Ride Beyond Vengeance
1966-01-01
5.3
The Battle of El Alamein
1969-01-01
6.8
Hondo and the Apaches
1967-09-08
5.2
Mary, Mary
1963-10-24
5.4
Les Miserables
1952-08-14
5.5
Seven Cities of Gold
1955-10-07
5.5
Tower of Terror
1941-12-27
10
Perilous Assignment
1959-11-06
7.1
Princess of the Nile
1954-07-01
5.5
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
1995-08-24
5
Omar Khayyam
1957-08-23
6.8
The Root of All Evil
1947-02-05
6.2
Death on the Run
1967-10-09
6.2
White Cradle Inn
1947-02-28
3.3
Stoney
1969-01-01
4.7
Subterfuge
1968-12-12
0
The Last Chance
1968-07-09
4
Seven Into Hell
1968-06-02
0
The Gap
1937-09-01
0
The Sky’s the Limit
1943-01-01
6.3
The Desert Rats
1953-05-20
6.1
Hotel
1967-01-19
7
Gangway
1937-08-19
6.1
Secret Agent
1936-05-31
5.5
Mambo
1954-09-18
5.2
The Squeaker
1937-11-11
6.3
Trio
1950-10-10
6
Miss Pilgrim's Progress
1949-11-29
5
I'll Be Your Sweetheart
1945-07-30
0
The Body Said No!
1950-04-30
4.2
Uneasy Terms
1948-07-06
5.7
The Golden Madonna
1949-05-23
4
Ships with Wings
1941-11-10
6.5
The Black Rose
1950-09-01
6.5
The Big Blockade
1942-01-19
4.5
Battle of the V-1
1958-01-01
6
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1955-07-28
6.3
The Devil's Brigade
1968-05-15
6.5
Turned Out Nice Again
1941-08-01
6.4
Dangerous Moonlight
1941-06-26
7.1
'Pimpernel' Smith
1941-07-28
6.1
The Divorce of Lady X
1938-01-15
6.6
Titanic
1953-04-11
6.1
Caesar and Cleopatra
1945-12-11
4.2
The Conquest of the Air
1936-12-01
7
Idol of Paris
1948-04-24
5.8
Naked You Die
1968-02-20
5.7
The Man Who Could Work Miracles
1936-07-23
6
Bank Holiday
1938-01-27
0
Gypsy
1936-12-29
7.6
The Time Tunnel
1966-09-09
5.5
The Dick Powell Show
1961-09-26
0
The Great Adventure
1963-09-27
5.3
Kraft Suspense Theatre
1963-10-10
5.5
The F.B.I.
1965-09-19
7.4
Batman
1966-01-12
6.3
Route 66
1960-10-07
7.1
Lost in Space
1965-09-15
7.7
Perry Mason
1957-09-21
7.8
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955-10-02
6.9
Daniel Boone
1964-09-24
6.5
The Virginian
1962-09-19
7.3
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951-10-05
3.3
Climax!
1954-10-07
6.5
Hondo
1967-09-08
6.5
Branded
1965-01-24
5.5
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
1956-10-05
6.8
DuPont Show of the Month
1957-09-29
5.9
Suspicion
1957-09-30
6.5
Jericho
1966-09-15
6.7
The Third Man
1959-10-02
6.2
The Barbara Stanwyck Show
1960-09-19
5.5
The F.B.I.
1965-09-19
5.5
The F.B.I.
1965-09-19
5.5
The Dick Powell Show
1961-09-26
5.5
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
1956-10-05
5.5
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
1956-10-05
6.9
Daniel Boone
1964-09-24
7.5
Bonanza
1959-09-12
7.8
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955-10-02
5.8
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1963-10-04
3.3
Climax!
1954-10-07
3.3
Climax!
1954-10-07
3.3
Climax!
1954-10-07
3.3
Climax!
1954-10-07
3.3
Climax!
1954-10-07
3.3
Climax!
1954-10-07
6.8
The Invaders
1967-01-10
6.8
The Invaders
1967-01-10
5
The Danny Thomas Hour
1967-09-11
5.5
The 20th Century Fox Hour
1955-10-05
7.8
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
1962-09-20
6.2
Shirley Temple's Storybook
1958-01-12
7.2
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
1964-09-22
6.2
ABC Stage 67
1966-09-14
7.3
12 O'Clock High
1964-09-18
5.8
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1963-10-04
7.9
The Wonderful World of Disney
1954-10-27