Skip to main content
Richard Burton Profile & Biography

Richard Burton

Born: November 10, 1925
Died: August 5, 1984
Welsh actor Richard Burton was a leading man of stage and screen, known for his intense performances and tumultuous personal life. Born in 1925 and passing away

Who is Richard Burton?

Richard Walter Jenkins, Jr., better known as Richard Burton, was a towering figure in the world of cinema and theater, whose career spanned from the mid-20th century to his untimely death in 1984. Born on November 10, 1925, in Ponycar Uchaf, near Llandilo, Wales, Burton’s life was marked by both extraordinary professional accomplishments and a series of dramatic personal entanglements that captivated the public imagination.

His early life was shaped by his parents’ modest means and his Welsh heritage. Growing up during the Great Depression in a small village, Burton learned to entertain himself with storytelling and reading. After attending Llandilo Grammar School, he enrolled at Exeter College, Oxford, where he first discovered his passion for acting.

Following his time at Oxford, Burton began his professional career on stage, quickly gaining recognition for his powerful performances in classical roles such as Hamlet and King Lear. His breakthrough came with the film adaptation of

Common Questions

What was Richard Burton's birth name?
Richard Walter Jenkins, Jr., later changed his surname to Burton.
Where did Richard Burton go to school?
He attended Llandilo Grammar School and then Exeter College at the University of Oxford.
What were some of Richard Burton's most notable roles?
His performances in films like 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' and 'Look Back in Anger' are among his most acclaimed works.
How many times was Richard Burton married?
Richard Burton was married four times, to Elizabeth Taylor twice, as well as to Sybil Christopher, Suzy Miller, and Sally Burton.
What caused Richard Burton's death?
Burton died on August 5, 1984, from an intracranial hemorrhage.

People Also Viewed