Ian Charleson

Diagnoses

Vocation

Scottish actor, best known for his work in the film "Chariots of Fire," 1981, which won an Academy Award for best picture. Charleson received an M.A. in architecture from Edinburgh University, 1970, before training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts. He was soon being cast in leading roles, first with the Young Vic Theatre Company and then with the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company. He proved his versatility in the skill he brought equally to Shakespearean roles and to such American characters as Sky Masterson in the musical "Guys and Dolls," 1982, Eddie in Sam Shepard's "Fool for Love," 1985, and Brick in Tennessee Williams' "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," 1988. In "Chariots of Fire", his portrayal of the Scottish runner whose religious beliefs almost caused him to forfeit the chance to win an Olympic medal, was profoundly memorable. He also had featured roles in the films "Jubilee," 1978 and "Gandhi," 1982, along with TV productions of "Julius Caesar" and "All's Well That Ends Well." He was acclaimed for his performance as Hamlet at the National Theatre, highly touted as being the "next Laurence Olivier." Charleson was among the Royal Night of 100 Stars on 3/31/1985, a production which showcases talent that is known by royalty. Of his final performance in 1989, his colleagues and peers said it was the finest performance they had ever seen of Hamlet. In looking back at his life, Ian is quoted as saying "I have wasted so much time. Time that was not mine to waste. And now I cry for that wasted time and pull up my soul from the dark cave in which I have kept it all this while and I say ... you are free." His mother, Jean, said that at the last, when his friends would come by to visit him, he would be the one to cheer them up. He died from AIDS on 1/06/1990. Link to Wikipedia biography