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Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthday
August 25, 1909
Died
June 10, 1971
Place of Birth
Bradford, Yorkshire, England
Also Known As
- Eric Alexander Rennie
Michael Rennie
1.0 Popularity
Biography
Michael Rennie (born August 1909 – June 10, 1971) was an English actor best known for his role as Klaatu in the science fiction classic The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). He enjoyed a successful career spanning film, television, and theater, gaining fame for his dignified and often authoritative roles. Michael Rennie was born Eric Alexander Rennie in Ilford, Essex, England. His early interest in acting led him to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where he trained and developed his skills as a performer. He worked initially in British theater before transitioning to film. Rennie’s early career included several roles in British films, but it was his move to Hollywood in the 1940s that helped him gain more widespread recognition. He appeared in a series of films, often portraying dignified or authoritative characters, with his tall stature, smooth voice, and good looks making him a natural fit for leading roles. His breakthrough came with the science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951), where he portrayed the alien visitor Klaatu. The film is considered one of the most influential sci-fi movies of all time, and Rennie’s portrayal of the calm and rational Klaatu became iconic. The film's message of peace, tolerance, and warning against militarism resonated with audiences, and Rennie’s performance as the alien ambassador remains one of his most famous and enduring roles. Following The Day the Earth Stood Still, Rennie continued to appear in a variety of films, often in roles of authority or leadership. Some notable films he starred in include The Lost World (1960), The 27th Day (1957), and Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959), where he appeared alongside actors like James Mason and Pat Boone. Rennie also appeared in numerous television series, including The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, and The Invaders. In the 1960s, he had roles in various TV shows, further establishing his presence in the science fiction and adventure genres. Rennie was married twice. His first marriage was to actress Dorothy Dandridge in 1959, but they eventually divorced. Later, he married Shirley Sutherland, with whom he remained until his death. Despite his fame, Rennie led a relatively private life and was known to be a gentleman both on and off screen. He had a reputation for being reserved and professional, a trait that made him well-suited to the types of roles he was often cast in. Michael Rennie passed away on June 10, 1971, at the age of 61, from a heart attack while vacationing in Spain. His death marked the end of a distinguished career in film and television. Rennie’s most enduring legacy is his portrayal of Klaatu in The Day the Earth Stood Still, which remains a staple of science fiction cinema. His calm, authoritative presence in the film and his portrayal of an alien visitor with a message of peace continue to resonate with audiences and are considered a high point in 1950s science fiction. Throughout his career, he brought dignity and depth to the roles he played, earning him a place in cinematic history, particularly within the science fiction genre.
Known For
6.8
The Keeper (archive footage)
Lost In Space Forever
1998
5.6
Klaatu (archive footage) (uncredited)
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
1995
3.8
(archive footage)
The Horror Show
1979
5.0
Dr. Odo Warnoff
Assignment Terror
1970
2.9
Harvey Ward
Stoney
1969
5.2
Bernard Law Montgomery
The Battle of El Alamein
1969
4.7
Goldsmith
Subterfuge
1968
0.0
George McConnell
The Last Chance
1968
4.0
Blynn
Seven Into Hell
1968
6.3
Lt. Gen. Mark Clark
The Devil's Brigade
1968
Credits
Lost In Space Forever
as The Keeper (archive footage)
1998
6.8
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
as Klaatu (archive footage) (uncredited)
1995
5.6
The Horror Show
as (archive footage)
1979
3.8
Assignment Terror
as Dr. Odo Warnoff
1970
5.0
Stoney
as Harvey Ward
1969
2.9
The Battle of El Alamein
as Bernard Law Montgomery
1969
5.2
Subterfuge
as Goldsmith
1968
4.7
The Last Chance
as George McConnell
1968
0.0
Seven Into Hell
as Blynn
1968
4.0
The Devil's Brigade
as Lt. Gen. Mark Clark
1968
6.3
The Power
as Arthur Nordlund
1968
6.2
Naked You Die
as Inspector Durand
1968
5.7
Death on the Run
as Major Worthington Clark
1967
6.2
The Danny Thomas Hour
as Paul Heaton
1967
5.0
Hondo and the Apaches
as Tribolet
1967
6.8
Hondo
1967
6.5
Hotel
as Geoffrey - Duke of Lanbourne
1967
5.9
The Invaders
as Magnus
1967
6.8
The Invaders
as Vice Chancellor Pierre Alquist
1967
6.8
Cyborg 2087
as Garth A7
1966
5.8
Jericho
1966
6.5
ABC Stage 67
1966
6.2
The Time Tunnel
as Capt. Malcolm Smith
1966
7.6
Batman
as Sandman
1966
7.3
Ride Beyond Vengeance
as Brooks Durham
1966
5.9
The F.B.I.
as Conrad Letterman
1965
5.4
The F.B.I.
as Albert Robinson / Major John Anka
1965
5.4
The F.B.I.
as Eric Reverson
1965
5.4
Lost in Space
as The Keeper
1965
7.1
Branded
1965
6.6
Daniel Boone
as Maj. Peter Wellington
1964
7.0
Daniel Boone
as Edgar Newton
1964
7.0
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
as Barnaby Partridge
1964
7.1
12 O'Clock High
as Gen. St. John Keighley
1964
7.2
Mary, Mary
as Dirk Winston
1963
4.4
Kraft Suspense Theatre
as Robert Thurston
1963
5.3
🎬
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
as Edward Parker Greene
1963
5.7
🎬
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
as Inspector Kauslake
1963
5.7
The Great Adventure
as President Jefferson Davis
1963
0.0
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
as Ralph Manson
1962
7.8
The Virginian
as Michael O'Rourke
1962
6.4
The Dick Powell Show
as Inspector Marshall
1961
5.5
The Dick Powell Show
as General Conrad Munday
1961
5.5
Route 66
1960
6.3
The Barbara Stanwyck Show
as Julius
1960
6.2
The Lost World
as Lord John Roxton
1960
5.8
Third Man on the Mountain
as Captain John Winter
1959
6.7
Perilous Assignment
as Self
1959
10.0
The Third Man
1959
7.1
Bonanza
as Prof. Poppy / Dr. P.A. Mundy
1959
7.5
Shirley Temple's Storybook
as Captain Creighton
1958
6.2
Battle of the V-1
as Stefan
1958
4.5
Suspicion
as Angus Martin
1957
5.9
DuPont Show of the Month
1957
6.8
Perry Mason
as Prof. Edward Lindley
1957
7.7
Omar Khayyam
as Hasani Sabah
1957
5.0
Island in the Sun
as Hilary Carson
1957
6.6
Circle of the Day
as Eric Millet
1957
0.0
Teenage Rebel
as Jay Fallon
1956
6.5
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
as Matthew Birch
1956
6.0
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
as Grant Coburn
1956
6.0
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
as Marshal Locke Gardner
1956
6.0
The Rains of Ranchipur
as Lord Albert Esketh
1955
5.0
Seven Cities of Gold
as Father Junipero Serra
1955
5.5
The 20th Century Fox Hour
as Narrator
1955
5.4
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
as Allen Bliss
1955
7.8
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
as Sir Humphrey J. Orford
1955
7.8
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
1955
6.0
Soldier of Fortune
as Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police
1955
5.9
Désirée
as Bernadotte
1954
6.6
The Wonderful World of Disney
as Self
1954
7.8
🎬
Producers' Showcase
as Howard Joyce
1954
6.5
Climax!
as Lord Edward Dominey / Major General Von Raggenstein
1954
3.3
Climax!
as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
1954
3.3
Climax!
as Charles Martin Westling
1954
3.3
Climax!
as 'Irish' Sean Dillon
1954
3.3
Climax!
as James MacLennan
1954
3.3
Climax!
as Dr. Fitzroy
1954
3.3
Climax!
as Lorenzo
1954
3.3
Mambo
as Enrico Marisoni
1954
5.5
Princess of the Nile
as Rama Khan
1954
7.1
Demetrius and the Gladiators
as Peter
1954
6.4
King of the Khyber Rifles
as Brig. Gen. J. R. Maitland
1953
5.7
The Robe
as Peter
1953
6.8
Dangerous Crossing
as Dr. Paul Manning
1953
6.2
Sailor of the King
as Lt. Richard Saville
1953
6.8
Titanic
as End Narrator (Voice)
1953
6.6
The Desert Rats
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
1953
6.3
Les Miserables
as Jean Valjean
1952
5.2
5 Fingers
as Colin Travers
1952
7.5
Phone Call from a Stranger
as Dr. Robert Fortness
1952
6.2
The House in the Square
as Roger Forsyth
1951
6.3
The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
1951
6.7
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
7.2
The Day the Earth Stood Still
as Klaatu, alias Mr. Carpenter
1951
7.5
The 13th Letter
as Dr. Pearson
1951
5.5
Trio
as Major George Templeton (segment Sanatorium)
1950
6.3
The Black Rose
as King Edward
1950
6.6
🎬
The Body Said No!
1950
0.0
Miss Pilgrim's Progress
as Bob Thane
1949
6.0
The Golden Madonna
as Mike Christie
1949
5.7
Uneasy Terms
as Slim Callaghan
1948
3.8
Idol of Paris
as Hertz
1948
7.0
White Cradle Inn
as Rudolph
1947
6.2
The Root of All Evil
as Charles Mortimer
1947
6.8
Caesar and Cleopatra
as 1st Centurion
1945
6.2
The Wicked Lady
as Kit Locksby
1945
6.3
I'll Be Your Sweetheart
1945
5.0
🎬
The Sky’s the Limit
as George
1943
0.0
The Big Blockade
as George
1942
6.5
Tower of Terror
as Anthony Hale
1941
5.6
Ships with Wings
as Lieut. Maxwell
1941
4.0
Turned Out Nice Again
as Diner
1941
6.5
"Pimpernel" Smith
as Prison Camp Officer
1941
7.2
The Patient Vanishes
as Inspector
1941
0.0
Dangerous Moonlight
as Kapulski
1941
6.4
This Man in Paris
as Gang Member (uncredited)
1939
0.0
Bank Holiday
as Guardsman (uncredited)
1938
6.0
The Divorce of Lady X
as Minor Role (uncredited)
1938
5.9
The Squeaker
as Medical Examiner
1937
5.2
The Gap
as Chemist-Radio Operator (uncredited)
1937
0.0
Gangway
as Ship's Officer
1937
7.0
🎬
Gypsy
1936
0.0
The Man Who Could Work Miracles
as San Francisco Cop
1936
5.8
Secret Agent
as Army Captain (uncredited)
1936
6.1
The Conquest of the Air
as Marquis d'Arlandes (uncredited)
1931
4.2