Widely acknowledged as the most famous of our famous Old Boys, Albert Finney bestrode stage and screen as one of the greatest actors this country has ever produced. Born in May 1936, Albert attended Leaf Square from 1947-52 and was a contemporary of former Old Salfordian Chairman Keith Ball. Salford Grammar had a reputation for its school plays and Albert’s potential as an actor was spotted very early as he became a mainstay on the school stage.
After leaving Leaf Square, Albert gained a place at RADA alongside luminaries Peter O’Toole, Tom Courtney and Frank Finlay. His rise was meteoric. He played the great Shakespearian roles at Birmingham Rep before starring at the Old Vic, his first London theatre role in Bernard Shaw’s Caesar and Cleopatra.
But it was in Saturday Night Sunday Morning, playing the working class hero Arthur Seaton, that Finney established himself as a brilliant screen actor. He followed this up with another memorable performance in the title role of Tom Jones.
From then on Finney divided his time between stage and screen. He even directed a number of plays at the Royal Court in the 1970s including Joe Orton’s Loot.
He returned ‘home’ to star as Uncle Vanya at the Royal Exchange in Manchester. His versatility highlighted by his screen portrayal of Hercule Poirot in Murder On The Orient Express.
At the turn of the century he continued to accrue notable roles including starring opposite Julia Roberts as a small town lawyer in Erin Brokovic and then his definitive Winston Churchill in the Gathering Storm.
His glittering career was littered with award nominations and he won Golden Globe, BAFTA and Oliver awards and was extremely unfortunate not to pick up an Oscar.
Finney was also nominated for both a CBE and a knighthood declining both.
Albert Finney was married three times – to actor Jane Wenham with whom he had a son, Simon; French actor Anouk Aimee; and Penny Delmage.
Despite all his fame and fortune, Albert Finney remained a true Salford boy.
