Richard Jenkins was born on November 10, 1925 to a coal miner in South Wales. After winning a scholarship to Oxford, he changed his surname to that of his music teacher's. A few years later, the world began to notice him -- as young, dashing actor Richard Burton.
By 1952, Burton had made his US big screen debut with My Cousin Rachel, which got him the first of seven Oscar nominations. Interestingly, he would never win an Academy Award.
Co-starring alongside screen goddess Elizabeth Taylor in 1963's Cleopatra made him a massive star though, while marrying (and divorcing) her twice got him a lot of headlines.
Burton died of a cerebral haemorrhage in 1984.
Text: Preetee Brahmbhatt
Also Read: The week Priyanka was born
Advertisement
