by Sir Laurence Olivier is widely considered one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. Over the course of his illustrious career spanning both stage and screen, Olivier set the gold standard for acting excellence through his transformative and nuanced performances. For the British actor Tom Hiddleston, Olivier’s extraordinary legacy has served as a constant source of inspiration as he has forged his own acclaimed path in film and television. Hiddleston has openly acknowledged Olivier’s immense influence on honing his craft and approach to acting. From classical training to Shakespearean roles to versatility and dedication to the profession, Olivier’s imprint on Hiddleston’s artistic journey is profoundly evident.
Classical Foundation
One of the most significant ways in which Olivier shaped Hiddleston’s development was through his advocacy of classical training. Olivier was a firm proponent of mastering the fundamentals through time-honored techniques. He himself received invaluable training at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. This classical foundation served him tremendously well throughout his career, allowing him to inhabit any role with utmost conviction.
Hiddleston embraced Olivier’s philosophy on training from the very beginning. After finishing high school in England, he gained admission to the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) drama school in London. RADA’s classical curriculum, focusing on voice, movement, and textual analysis, gave Olivier his start as well. For three years, Hiddleston immersed himself in the time-tested methods that RADA espoused, just as his idol had done decades earlier.
This grounding in classical principles proved invaluable for Hiddleston. It equipped him with strong understanding of character, storytelling techniques, and how to command the stage and screen. In every role since, from Shakespeare to Marvel blockbusters, Hiddleston’s training is evident in his nuanced, emotionally resonant performances. He is able to inhabit vastly different personalities in a believable manner, just as Olivier did so masterfully. The classical foundation both actors received was the crucial first step towards achieving excellence in their craft.
Shakespearean Mastery
Beyond training, another major influence Olivier had on Hiddleston was through his unparalleled interpretations of William Shakespeare’s plays and characters. Regarded as one of the finest Shakespearean actors of all time, Olivier brought an intensity and vividness to iconic roles like Hamlet, Henry V, and Richard III. Hiddleston took inspiration from Olivier’s trailblazing work and has since proven himself a Shakespearean tour de force as well.
Early in his career, Hiddleston was drawn to the complexity and poeticism of Shakespeare’s works. One of his breakout performances came in 2008 with the Donmar Warehouse production of Othello, where he played Cassio opposite Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Othello. But it was in 2011 when Hiddleston truly announced himself as an heir to Olivier’s Shakespearean legacy. That year, he starred as Prince Hamlet at the Donmar Warehouse and received universal acclaim for his nuanced, psychologically layered take on the melancholy Dane.
Olivier’s 1951 film adaptation of Hamlet served as a key reference point in Hiddleston’s preparation. He studied Olivier’s delivery of the legendary “To be or not to be” soliloquy for its rhythmic precision and emotional weight. Hiddleston brought his own thoughtful interpretation but was clearly influenced by Olivier’s groundbreaking work. Since then, Hiddleston has added Coriolanus and Macbeth to his Shakespearean repertoire, demonstrating a mastery that echoes Olivier’s supremacy with the Bard. Both actors have proven themselves chameleons through Shakespeare, illuminating his timeless characters in fresh yet respectful ways.
Versatility and Transformation
Beyond Shakespeare, another aspect of Olivier’s legacy that inspired Hiddleston was his incredible versatility and ability to transform completely for any role. Spanning six decades, Olivier’s filmography included acclaimed turns in dramas, comedies, musicals, and historical epics. He famously donned makeup, prosthetics and accents to disappear into roles, a level of commitment that awed audiences and critics alike.
Hiddleston has showcased a similarly impressive range that does justice to Olivier’s example. Early in his career, he played the dashing F. Scott Fitzgerald in Midnight in Paris and the charming brother Loki in Thor. But it was his role as Jonathan Pine in the 2016 BBC miniseries The Night Manager that truly demonstrated his transformative abilities. To play the undercover spy, Hiddleston used different accents and disguises to emerge unrecognizable at times. He lost himself so completely in Pine that the character seemed to come to life.
Since then, Hiddleston has continued stretching himself with diverse projects that highlight his versatility. He played the country-singer Hank Williams in the biopic I Saw the Light. In Muppets Most Wanted, he brought his comedic chops playing the suave villainous counterpart to Kermit. Most recently in The Essex Serpent, he took on a Victorian-era clergyman and single father. Each performance stands out for its uniqueness, just as Olivier specialized in becoming each character wholly. Both actors relish the challenge of transformation and leave an indelible mark, a testament to their range.
Dedication to the Craft
Beyond roles and techniques, one final way Olivier left his imprint on Hiddleston was through his unwavering dedication to acting as an art form. Olivier approached every role with intense preparation, studying its historical and social context meticulously. He immersed himself so fully that he lived and breathed each character. Even in his later years, Olivier remained passionate about honing his skills and sharing his knowledge. This level of commitment was tremendously inspiring for Hiddleston starting out.
Hiddleston’s dedication echoes Olivier’s example. For Loki in the Thor films, he delved deeply into Norse mythology for accurate representation. When playing Hank Williams, he learned guitar and closely analyzed the singer’s life. For The Essex Serpent, he spent time with clergy to understand their mindset. Hiddleston commits fully to each character’s essence, with research spanning months. Even between projects, he continues educating himself on classical texts. Like Olivier, acting is far more than a job for Hiddleston – it is a lifelong artistic pursuit he prizes.
Both actors also share a passion for mentoring younger performers. Olivier ran the National Theatre and taught at the Academy of Dramatic Art later in life. Hiddleston has directed plays and founded the Hiddleston Awards to support emerging talent. Their commitment to cultivating new artists demonstrates how profoundly they value their craft and its future. For Hiddleston, Olivier was the ultimate example of an actor dedicating his entire being to his work, a standard he still strives for today.
Conclusion: A Legacy Lives On
Over his illustrious career, Sir Laurence Olivier set the gold standard for acting that remains unsurpassed. Through his extraordinary body of work, he proved a true chameleon of the stage and screen who transformed audiences. For the rising actor Tom Hiddleston, Olivier’s formidable legacy has served as an enduring source of inspiration. From classical training to Shakespearean roles to versatility and dedication, Hiddleston’s approach to his craft bears the distinct imprint of Olivier’s influence.
As Hiddleston continues to take on unique challenges that showcase his range, such as the recent Disney+ series Loki, he does so as an artist who understands the weight of traditions passed down by titans like Olivier. While carving out his own path, Hiddleston ensures Olivier’s standards of excellence live on for new generations. Just as Olivier broke new ground, Hiddleston strives to push the boundaries of storytelling through his nuanced performances. In this way, the legacy of one of Britain’s finest actors continues to reverberate through those he motivated, including one of the country’s most talented modern talents, Tom Hiddleston.
