Born in 1908 in Lancashire, England, Reginald Carey Harrison changed his name to Rex as a young boy, knowing it was the Latin word for King. Starting out on his theatre career at age 18, his first job at the Liverpool Rep Theatre was nearly his last--dashing across the stage to say his one line, made his entrance and promptly blew it. Fates were kind, however, and soon he began landing roles in the West End. "French Without Tears", a play by Terence Rattigan, proved to be his breakthrough role. Soon he was being called the "greatest actor of light comedy in the world." Having divorced his first wife Collette Thomas in 1942, he married German actress Lilli Palmer. The two began appearing together in many plays and British films. He attained international fame when he portrayed the King in Anna and the King of Siam, his first American film. After a sex scandal, in which starlet Carole Landis apparently committed suicide because he ended their affair, the relationship with wife Lili became strained. Rex (by this time known as "Sexy Rexy" for his philandering ways and magnetic charm) began a relationship with British actress Kay Kendall, divorced Lili to marry the terminally ill Kay with hopes of a re-marriage to Palmer upon Kay's death. The death of Kay affected Harrison greatly and Lili never returned to him. During this time Rex was offered the defining role of his career: Professor Henry Higgins in the original production of "My Fair Lady". He won the Tony for the play and an Oscar for the film version. In 1962 Harrison married actress Rachel Roberts. This union and the one following it to Elizabeth Harris (Richard's ex) also ended in divorce. In 1978 Rex met and married Mercia Tinker. He and Mercia remained happily married until his death in 1990. She was also with him in 1989 when he was granted his much deserved and long awaited knighthood at Buckingham Palace. Rex Harrison died of pancreatic cancer three weeks after his last stage appearance, as Lord Porteous in W. Somerset Maugham's 'The Circle'.


The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965): $250,000
My Fair Lady (1964): $250,000
Cleopatra (1963): $300,000
Anna and the King of Siam (1946): $4,000/week

Winner of 2 Tony Awards for Best actor for "Anne of the Thousand Days" and "My Fair Lady". Hated the nickname given to him by the press, "Sexy Rexy". Died three weeks after his final stage appearance as Lord Porteous in "The Circle" (1990). Frequently wore a specific ring with a dark square-cut stone, on his little finger of his left hand. It appears in almost all of his films. Was almost completely blind in the left eye as the result of a childhood bout of measles. Father, with Lilli Palmer, of Carey Harrison. Grandfather of Cathryn Harrison and Simon Harrison. His son, Carey Harrison, was born in 1944. Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1965. Turned down the role of the Prince in the Broadway production of Noel Coward's "The Girl Who Came To Supper" in order to do My Fair Lady (1964). The role went to José Ferrer. Turned down the lead role in 13 Rue Madeleine (1947). It then went to James Cagney. Is the basis for the voice of Stewie Griffin on "Family Guy" (1999). Despite extensive vocal training after landing the part of Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady (1964), he was unable to sing a note. In the end the director gave up and told him to quasi-speak the whole thing. Discovered Carole Landis' body the day she committed suicide. He had dined with her the previous night. His first name [Rex] means 'King' in Latin. When filming Doctor Dolittle (1967), was frequently bitten by the animals. Won a 1969 Special Tony Award (New York City). Retired from films after making The Fifth Musketeer (1979), but continued to act on Broadway and television. Quit smoking after suffering from pains in his legs. Harrison nearly missed out on reprising his stage role of Henry Higgins in the film version of My Fair Lady (1964), since he was in his mid-fifties and the character was supposed to be in his late thirties. First came to notice in the London stage version of "French Without Tears" in 1937, but was not considered for the 1940 film version since he was unknown in Hollywood.