Sebastian Shaw

Sebastian Lewis Shaw was an English actor director novelist playwright and poet During his 65year career he appeared in dozens of stage performances and more than 40 film and television productions Shaw was born and brought up in Holt Norfolk and made his acting debut at age eight at a London theatre He studied acting at Greshams School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Although he worked primarily on the London stage he made his Broadway debut in 1929 when he played one of the two murderers in Ropes End He appeared in his first film Caste in 1930 and quickly began to create a name for himself in films He described himself as a rotten actor as a youth and said his success was primarily due to his good looks He claimed to mature as a performer only after returning from service in the Royal Air Force during World War II Shaw was particularly known for his performances in productions of Shakespeare plays which were considered daring and ahead of their time In 1966 he joined the Royal Shakespeare Company where he remained for a decade and delivered some of his most acclaimed performances He also wrote several poems and a novel The Christening in 1975