Sir Robert Graham Stephens (14 July 1931 â€" 12 November 1995) was a
leading English actor in the early years of Britain's Royal National
Theatre. He was one of the most respected actors of his generation and
was at one time regarded as the natural successor to Laurence
Olivier.Stephens was born in Shirehampton, Bristol, in 1931, the
eldest of three children of shipyard labourer and costing surveyor
Reuben Stephens (1905 â€" 1985) and chocolate-factory worker Gladys
Millicent (née Deverill; 1906 â€" 1975). When aged 18, he won a
scholarship to Esme Church's Bradford Civic Theatre School in
Yorkshire, where he met his first wife Nora, a fellow student. His
first professional engagement was with the Caryl Jenner Mobile
Theatre, which he followed in 1951 by a year of more challenging parts
in repertory at the Royalty Theatre, Morecambe, followed by seasons of
touring and at the Hippodrome, Preston. The London director Tony
Richardson saw a performance at the Royalty and this led to an offer
of a place in the "momentous" first season of English Stage Company at
the Royal Court in 1956. His success was assured.He appeared in two
versions of Epitaph for George Dillon on Broadway during the 1958-59
season for which he received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best
Actor in a Play.
leading English actor in the early years of Britain's Royal National
Theatre. He was one of the most respected actors of his generation and
was at one time regarded as the natural successor to Laurence
Olivier.Stephens was born in Shirehampton, Bristol, in 1931, the
eldest of three children of shipyard labourer and costing surveyor
Reuben Stephens (1905 â€" 1985) and chocolate-factory worker Gladys
Millicent (née Deverill; 1906 â€" 1975). When aged 18, he won a
scholarship to Esme Church's Bradford Civic Theatre School in
Yorkshire, where he met his first wife Nora, a fellow student. His
first professional engagement was with the Caryl Jenner Mobile
Theatre, which he followed in 1951 by a year of more challenging parts
in repertory at the Royalty Theatre, Morecambe, followed by seasons of
touring and at the Hippodrome, Preston. The London director Tony
Richardson saw a performance at the Royalty and this led to an offer
of a place in the "momentous" first season of English Stage Company at
the Royal Court in 1956. His success was assured.He appeared in two
versions of Epitaph for George Dillon on Broadway during the 1958-59
season for which he received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best
Actor in a Play.
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