Richard Harris

Richard Harris was born in Limerick, Ireland, on October 1, 1930. Before achieving fame as a singer-songwriter, he pursued acting and even attended the London School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art. His early career involved stage work and smaller film roles.

• •Richard Harris was a talented rugby player in his youth and was even selected for the Irish national team, though an ankle injury prevented him from playing professionally.
• •Before finding fame as a singer, Richard Harris was a stage actor and appeared in the original West End production of the musical 'Camelot' as King Arthur.
• •His iconic 1968 hit song 'MacArthur Park' was written by Jimmy Webb, and its unconventional lyrics and length made it a challenging but ultimately successful undertaking for Harris.
• •Richard Harris was a close friend of the actor Richard Burton, and they famously shared a bottle of vodka on the set of the film 'Camelot'.
• •He was known for his distinctive baritone voice, which he used to great effect in both his popular music career and his acting roles, including playing Professor Albus Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films.

Richard Harris was married twice, first to actress Elizabeth Rees-Williams with whom he had three sons: director Jared Harris, actor Damian Harris, and actor Jamie Harris. After their divorce, he married Ann Turkel, though they later divorced. His sons have followed him into the acting profession. His parents, although not widely publicized figures in his career, were the bedrock of his upbringing in Limerick, Ireland. He often spoke fondly of his Irish roots and the influence his family had on his life and artistic journey, even as his career took him across the globe, creating a rich tapestry of personal and professional relationships throughout his life.