Rex Harrison

Here are two great songs, chosen to enhance the charm and talent of the wonderful Rex Harrison: the first one, sung by Doris Day, from My fair lady, one of Harrison's best movies, the second one, beautifully nostalgic, sung by Robert Goulet.

Sir Reginald Carey "Rex" Harrison (1908-1990) was an English actor of stage and screen.

He first appeared on the stage in 1924 in Liverpool. He acted in various stage productions until May 1990. He acted in the West End of London when he was young, appearing in the Terence Rattigan play French without tears, which proved to be his breakthrough role. He won his first Tony Award for his appearance as Henry VIII in Anne of the thousand days and international superstardom (and a second Tony Award) for his portrayal of Henry Higgins in the musical My fair lady, in which he appeared opposite Julie Andrews. Harrison's film debut was in The great game (1930), and other notable films include The citadel (1938), Night train to Munich (1940), Major Barbara (1941), Blithe spirit (1945), Anna and the King of Siam (1946), The ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947), The foxes of Harrow (1947), The constant husband (1955), The reluctant debutante (1958), and The yellow Rolls-Royce (1964). He was best known for his portrayal of Professor Henry Higgins in the film version of his stage success, 1964 film version of My fair lady (with Audrey Hepburn), based on the Broadway production of the same name (which itself was based on George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion), for which Harrison won a Best Actor Oscar.

He also starred in 1967's Doctor Dolittle. He starred in the 1968 comedy The honey pot, a modern adaptation of Ben Jonson's play Volpone. Although excelling in comedy, he attracted favourable notices in dramatic roles such as his portrayal of Julius Caesar in Cleopatra (1963) and as Pope Julius II in The agony and the ecstasy (1965), opposite Charlton Heston as Michelangelo. He also acted in a Hindi film Shalimar alongside Indian Bollywood star Dharmendra. He also appeared as an aging homosexual man opposite Richard Burton as his lover in Staircase (1969).

On 25 July 1989 Harrison was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. An orchestra played the music of songs from My fair lady.

Rex Harrison has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Enjoy Rex Harrison's eternal class!