Oliver Reed

Date of Birth: February 13, 1938

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: May 2, 1999

Biography

Oliver Reed, born Robert Oliver Reed on February 13, 1938, in Wimbledon, London, England, was a renowned British actor known for his intense screen presence and off-screen antics. Reed was the nephew of the film director Sir Carol Reed and made his film debut in the mid-1950s. Over the years, he became famous for his roles in films such as “Oliver!” (1968), where he played the villainous Bill Sikes, and “Women in Love” (1969), in which his performance earned critical acclaim. Perhaps his most notable role came late in his career with Ridley Scott’s epic “Gladiator” (2000), where he played the character Proximo, a role completed posthumously with the help of CGI. Known for his hard-drinking lifestyle and brawls, Reed was both celebrated and notorious. Despite his turbulent personal life, his talent and charisma left a lasting impact on the film industry.

5 Interesting Facts about Oliver Reed

1. Reed was known for his method acting and often stayed in character off-set, which sometimes led to public brawls.

2. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during his younger years before fully committing to acting.

3. Reed was a direct descendant of Peter the Great, the Emperor of Russia.

4. He once famously wrestled with fellow actor Alan Bates in a controversial but critically acclaimed scene in “Women in Love.”

5. Oliver Reed died of a heart attack while filming “Gladiator” in Malta, and his remaining scenes were completed using CGI.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Oliver Reed

1. “My only regret is that I didn’t drink every pub dry and sleep with every woman on the planet.”

2. “I do not live in the world of sobriety.”

3. “I like the effect drink has on me. What’s the point of staying sober?”

4. “I have made many serious statements — I just can’t remember any of them. I guess they mustn’t have been very important.”

5. “I’m not a villain. I’ve never hurt anyone. I’m just a tawdry character who explodes now and again.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Oliver Reed’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.

Children

Oliver Reed had two children. He had a son, Mark Reed, from his first marriage to Kate Byrne, and a daughter, Sarah Reed, from his second marriage to Josephine Burge.