Olivier’s Richard III prosthetic nose up for auction….

Olivier as Richard III, from https://films.oeil-ecran.com/2016/04/28/richard-iii/

“….A prosthetic nose worn by Lord Laurence Olivier has been put on sale by his widow Dame Joan Plowright for £771,  along with other items from the late actor….The Shakespearean actor, who was nominated for 11 competitive Oscars – taking home one for 1948’s Hamlet – wore the nose during his 1955 Academy Award-nominated Richard III performance….” It is estimated to sell for about £1,500. Dame Joan was his third and final wife, and nursed him through chronic illnesses, including cancer, until his death in 1989 at the age of 82.

Dame Joan Plowright

Another auction item of interest to Ricardians is a gold pocket watch with a Richard III inscription for 600-800 US dollars (£462 to £617)

“….The items will be sold through Julien’s Auctions and TCM Present: A Week Of Hollywood Legends, from December 10-13, along with Bob Mackie outfits associated with Cher, P!nk and Miley Cyrus….”

To read more go here https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/a-voice-for-king-richard-iii-a-chance-to-see-and-hear-englands-most-maligned-monarch-in-york-4840692 and here https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14013115/Laurence-Oliviers-Richard-III-prosthetic-nose-set-hammer-771.html

The prosthetic nose that enhanced Olivier’s snarling performance as Richard III, and a note suggesting it was sent to him for his 80th birthday. Photograph: Julien’s Auctions and TCM

PS: I’m afraid that when I first saw the above photograph of the nose, it did make me pause for a moment….! 🙄

PPS: Here is a link to Olivier telling how he made his own prosthetic noses! https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/nov/01/when-laurence-olivier-revealed-the-secrets-behind-his-wax-nose.


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  1. Olivier’s Richard III was the first Shakesperean production I ever saw. I was a child. I preferred Shakespeare to Disney.

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