Lord Attenborough Showcase

21 February 10

Explore the life and work of previous Academy President Richard Attenborough, whose support and inspiration for our work over the years remains undiminished.

From his first film appearance as a young actor in 1942’s In Which We Serve, to an epic array of outstanding achievements as a director and producer across many more decades, Richard Attenborough occupies a special place in the history of British cinema. Watch this montage celebrating his impressive body of work and his association with the Academy over the years.

Lord Attenborough has also played an integral part in countless Academy occasions and key moments in our prestigious history: from the international scope and very British style of our early Awards ceremonies, to the opening of our 195 Piccadilly headquarters in 1976 and, more recently, the presentation of a Film Fellowship to co-collaborator and friend Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2008.

Behind the scenes and in his role as the Academy's fourth President, Lord Attenborough's contribution to the financial stability and effective leadership of BAFTA has been invaluable.

When something important is happening, Lord A, as he is affectionately called by BAFTA staff, is part of it. As Amanda Berry, the Academy’s Chief Executive, said on the occasion of his 80th birthday, he is: “A wonderful man, a talented actor, producer and director, an inspiration to all who meet him, an icon of the British Film Industry and passionate about BAFTA.”

Lord Attenborough discusses the Academy's Origins with writer Quentin Falk, recorded in 2004.