Sir John Anthony Quayle (7 September 1913 – 20 October 1989) was an English actor and director.

He was born in Ainsdale in Lancashire and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. After appearing in vaudeville, he joined the Old Vic in 1932. From 1948 to 1956 he directed at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, and laid the foundations for the creation of the Royal Shakespeare Company. His own Shakespearian roles included Falstaff and Othello; and he also appeared in contemporary plays.

His film roles included parts in Ice Cold in Alex (1958), The Guns of Navarone (1961) and Lawrence of Arabia (1962). He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1969 for his role in Anne of the Thousand Days.

Quayle was knighted in 1985 and he died in London from liver cancer in September 1989, aged 76. He was married twice. His first wife was the actress Hermione Hannen (1913-1983) and his widow and second wife was Dorothy Hyson (1915-1997). He and Lady Dorothy had two daughters Jenny and Rosanna.

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