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Michael Rennie
Actor

Michael Rennie

25 Aug 1909Born
10 Jun 1971Died
61Age at death
108Credits

Biography

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.

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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.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 108 credits.

  1. 1998Lost in Space ForeverFilm: The Keeper (archive footage)
  2. 1995Theremin: An Electronic OdysseyFilm: Klaatu (archive footage) (uncredited)
  3. 1979The Horror ShowFilm: (archive footage)
  4. 1970Assignment TerrorFilm: Dr. Odo Warnoff
  5. 1969The Battle of El AlameinFilm: Bernard Law Montgomery
  6. 1969StoneyFilm: Harvey Ward
  7. 1968SubterfugeFilm: Goldsmith
  8. 1968The Last ChanceFilm: George McConnell
  9. 1968Seven Into HellFilm: Blynn
  10. 1968The Devil's BrigadeFilm: Lt. Gen. Mark Clark
  11. 1968The PowerFilm: Arthur Nordlund
  12. 1968Naked You DieFilm: Inspector Durand
  13. 1967Death on the RunFilm: Major Worthington Clark
  14. 1967The Danny Thomas HourSeries: Paul Heaton (1 episode)
  15. 1967Hondo and the ApachesFilm: Tribolet
  16. 1967HondoSeries (2 episodes)
  17. 1967HotelFilm: Geoffrey - Duke of Lanbourne
  18. 1967The InvadersSeries: Magnus, Vice Chancellor Pierre Alquist (1 episode)
  19. 1966Cyborg 2087Film: Garth A7
  20. 1966JerichoSeries (1 episode)
  21. 1966ABC Stage 67Series (1 episode)
  22. 1966The Time TunnelSeries: Capt. Malcolm Smith (1 episode)
  23. 1966BatmanSeries: Sandman (2 episodes)
  24. 1966Ride Beyond VengeanceFilm: Brooks Durham
  25. 1965The F.B.I.Series: Conrad Letterman, Albert Robinson / Major John Anka, Eric Reverson (1 episode)
  26. 1965Lost in SpaceSeries: The Keeper (2 episodes)
  27. 1965BrandedSeries (1 episode)
  28. 1964Daniel BooneSeries: Maj. Peter Wellington, Edgar Newton (1 episode)
  29. 1964The Man from U.N.C.L.E.Series: Barnaby Partridge (1 episode)
  30. 196412 O'Clock HighSeries: Gen. St. John Keighley (1 episode)
  31. 1963Mary, MaryFilm: Dirk Winston
  32. 1963Kraft Suspense TheatreSeries: Robert Thurston (1 episode)
  33. 1963The Great AdventureSeries: President Jefferson Davis (1 episode)
  34. 1962The Alfred Hitchcock HourSeries: Ralph Manson (1 episode)
  35. 1962The VirginianSeries: Michael O'Rourke (1 episode)
  36. 1960Route 66Series (2 episodes)
  37. 1960The Barbara Stanwyck ShowSeries: Julius (1 episode)
  38. 1960The Lost WorldFilm: Lord John Roxton
  39. 1959Third Man on the MountainFilm: Captain John Winter
  40. 1959The Third ManSeries (77 episodes)
  41. 1959BonanzaSeries: Prof. Poppy / Dr. P.A. Mundy (1 episode)
  42. 1958Shirley Temple's StorybookSeries: Captain Creighton (1 episode)
  43. 1958Battle of the V-1Film: Stefan
  44. 1957SuspicionSeries: Angus Martin (1 episode)
  45. 1957DuPont Show of the MonthSeries (1 episode)
  46. 1957Perry MasonSeries: Prof. Edward Lindley (1 episode)
  47. 1957Omar KhayyamFilm: Hasani Sabah
  48. 1957Island in the SunFilm: Hilary Carson
  49. 1957Circle of the DayFilm: Eric Millet
  50. 1956Teenage RebelFilm: Jay Fallon
  51. 1956The LetterFilm: Howard Joyce
  52. 1956Dick Powell's Zane Grey TheatreSeries: Matthew Birch, Grant Coburn, Marshal Locke Gardner (1 episode)
  53. 1955The Rains of RanchipurFilm: Lord Albert Esketh
  54. 1955Seven Cities of GoldFilm: Father Junipero Serra
  55. 1955The 20th Century Fox HourSeries: Narrator (1 episode)
  56. 1955Alfred Hitchcock PresentsSeries: Allen Bliss, Sir Humphrey J. Orford (1 episode)
  57. 1955Dr. Jekyll and Mr. HydeFilm: Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
  58. 1955Soldier of FortuneFilm: Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police
  59. 1954DésiréeFilm: Bernadotte
  60. 1954Producers' ShowcaseSeries: Howard Joyce (1 episode)
  61. 1954Climax!Series: Lord Edward Dominey / Major General Von Raggenstein, Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde, Charles Martin Westling, 'Irish' Sean Dillon, Dr. Fitzroy, James MacLennan, Lorenzo (1 episode)
  62. 1954MamboFilm: Enrico Marisoni
  63. 1954Princess of the NileFilm: Rama Khan
  64. 1954Demetrius and the GladiatorsFilm: Peter
  65. 1953King of the Khyber RiflesFilm: Brig. Gen. J. R. Maitland
  66. 1953The RobeFilm: Peter
  67. 1953Dangerous CrossingFilm: Dr. Paul Manning
  68. 1953Sailor of the KingFilm: Lt. Richard Saville
  69. 1953TitanicFilm: End Narrator (Voice)
  70. 1953The Desert RatsFilm: Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
  71. 1952Les MiserablesFilm: Jean Valjean
  72. 19525 FingersFilm: Colin Travers
  73. 1952Phone Call from a StrangerFilm: Dr. Robert Fortness
  74. 1951The House in the SquareFilm: Roger Forsyth
  75. 1951The Desert Fox: The Story of RommelFilm: Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
  76. 1951Schlitz Playhouse of StarsSeries (1 episode)
  77. 1951The Day the Earth Stood StillFilm: Klaatu / Mr. Carpenter
  78. 1951The 13th LetterFilm: Dr. Pearson
  79. 1950TrioFilm: Major George Templeton (segment Sanatorium)
  80. 1950The Black RoseFilm: King Edward

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.