Leslie Howard

Date of Birth: April 3, 1893

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: June 1, 1943

Biography

Leslie Howard was a distinguished English actor, director, and producer, renowned for his compelling performances on both stage and screen. Born Leslie Howard Steiner, he began his career in the early 1900s, eventually becoming one of the leading actors of his time. He is best known for his roles in classic films such as “Gone with the Wind,” where he played Ashley Wilkes, and “Pygmalion,” in which he portrayed Professor Henry Higgins. Howard’s charismatic presence and nuanced performances won him critical acclaim and a devoted following. Beyond acting, he was also involved in the war effort during World War II, making propaganda films and broadcasts. Tragically, his life was cut short during the war under mysterious circumstances when the civilian aircraft he was traveling on was shot down by the German Luftwaffe.

5 Interesting Facts about Leslie Howard

1. Leslie Howard served in the British Army during World War I, where he suffered from shell shock, leading him to pursue acting as a form of therapy.

2. He was a key figure in the British propaganda efforts during World War II, using his talents to inspire and inform the public.

3. Howard was nominated for two Academy Awards during his career: Best Actor for “Berkeley Square” (1933) and “Pygmalion” (1938).

4. His mysterious death occurred when his plane, a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight, was shot down by German fighters over the Bay of Biscay during World War II.

5. Leslie Howard was multilingual, fluent in English, German, and Hungarian, which helped him in diverse roles and during his wartime efforts.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Leslie Howard

1. “Acting is merely the art of keeping a large group of people from coughing.”

2. “You can’t build a life on another person’s word. If you want to live, you have to find out for yourself.”

3. “I’m always making things up in my mind. That’s why people think I’m so smart.”

4. “The truth is, I am not a romantic lead actor. I am a character actor, and it’s about time I was allowed to be one.”

5. “I think a film should have a beginning, a middle, and an end, but not necessarily in that order.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Leslie Howard’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, which is equivalent to approximately $75 million today when adjusted for inflation.

Children

Leslie Howard had two children with his wife, Ruth Evelyn Martin: 1. Ronald Howard – Born on April 7, 1918, Ronald followed in his father’s footsteps and became an actor, best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in the 1954 television series. 2. Leslie Ruth Howard – Born on October 18, 1924, she pursued a career as a writer and author, documenting her father’s life and legacy.