
Michael Rennie
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
Credits
- 1998 · Lost In Space Forever as The Keeper (archive footage)
- 1995 · Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey as Klaatu (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 1979 · The Horror Show as (archive footage)
- 1970 · Assignment Terror as Dr. Odo Warnoff
- 1969 · The Battle of El Alamein as Bernard Law Montgomery
- 1969 · Stoney as Harvey Ward
- 1968 · Subterfuge as Goldsmith
- 1968 · The Last Chance as George McConnell
- 1968 · Seven Into Hell as Blynn
- 1968 · The Devil's Brigade as Lt. Gen. Mark Clark
- 1968 · The Power as Arthur Nordlund
- 1968 · Naked You Die as Inspector Durand
- 1967 · Death on the Run as Major Worthington Clark
- 1967 · The Danny Thomas Hour as Paul Heaton
- 1967 · Hondo as
- 1967 · Hondo and the Apaches as Tribolet
- 1967 · Hotel as Geoffrey - Duke of Lanbourne
- 1967 · The Invaders as Magnus
- 1967 · The Invaders as Vice Chancellor Pierre Alquist
- 1966 · Cyborg 2087 as Garth A7
- 1966 · Jericho as
- 1966 · ABC Stage 67 as
- 1966 · The Time Tunnel as Capt. Malcolm Smith
- 1966 · Batman as Sandman
- 1966 · Ride Beyond Vengeance as Brooks Durham
- 1965 · The F.B.I. as Conrad Letterman
- 1965 · The F.B.I. as Albert Robinson / Major John Anka
- 1965 · The F.B.I. as Eric Reverson
- 1965 · Lost in Space as The Keeper
- 1965 · Branded as
- 1964 · Daniel Boone as Maj. Peter Wellington
- 1964 · Daniel Boone as Edgar Newton
- 1964 · The Man from U.N.C.L.E. as Barnaby Partridge
- 1964 · 12 O'Clock High as Gen. St. John Keighley
- 1963 · Mary, Mary as Dirk Winston
- 1963 · Kraft Suspense Theatre as Robert Thurston
- 1963 · Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre as
- 1963 · Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre as Edward Parker Greene
- 1963 · The Great Adventure as President Jefferson Davis
- 1962 · The Alfred Hitchcock Hour as Ralph Manson
- 1962 · The Virginian as Michael O'Rourke
- 1961 · The Dick Powell Show as Inspector Marshall
- 1961 · The Dick Powell Show as General Conrad Munday
- 1960 · Route 66 as
- 1960 · The Barbara Stanwyck Show as Julius
- 1960 · The Lost World as Lord John Roxton
- 1959 · Third Man on the Mountain as Captain John Winter
- 1959 · Perilous Assignment as Self
- 1959 · The Third Man as
- 1959 · Bonanza as Prof. Poppy / Dr. P.A. Mundy
- 1958 · Shirley Temple's Storybook as Captain Creighton
- 1958 · Battle of the V-1 as Stefan
- 1957 · Suspicion as Angus Martin
- 1957 · DuPont Show of the Month as
- 1957 · Perry Mason as Prof. Edward Lindley
- 1957 · Omar Khayyam as Hasani Sabah
- 1957 · Island in the Sun as Hilary Carson
- 1956 · Teenage Rebel as Jay Fallon
- 1956 · Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre as Matthew Birch
- 1956 · Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre as Grant Coburn
- 1956 · Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre as Marshal Locke Gardner
- 1955 · The Rains of Ranchipur as Lord Albert Esketh
- 1955 · Seven Cities of Gold as Father Junipero Serra
- 1955 · The 20th Century Fox Hour as Narrator
- 1955 · Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Allen Bliss
- 1955 · Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Sir Humphrey J. Orford
- 1955 · Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
- 1955 · Soldier of Fortune as Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police
- 1954 · Désirée as Bernadotte
- 1954 · Climax! as Lord Edward Dominey / Major General Von Raggenstein
- 1954 · Climax! as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
- 1954 · Climax! as Charles Martin Westling
- 1954 · Climax! as 'Irish' Sean Dillon
- 1954 · Climax! as Dr. Fitzroy
- 1954 · Climax! as James MacLennan
- 1954 · Climax! as Lorenzo
- 1954 · Mambo as Enrico Marisoni
- 1954 · Princess of the Nile as Rama Khan
- 1954 · Demetrius and the Gladiators as Peter
- 1953 · King of the Khyber Rifles as Brig. Gen. J. R. Maitland
- 1953 · The Robe as Peter
- 1953 · Dangerous Crossing as Dr. Paul Manning
- 1953 · Sailor of the King as Lt. Richard Saville
- 1953 · The Desert Rats as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- 1953 · Titanic as End Narrator (Voice)
- 1952 · Les Miserables as Jean Valjean
- 1952 · 5 Fingers as Colin Travers
- 1952 · Phone Call from a Stranger as Dr. Robert Fortness
- 1951 · The House in the Square as Roger Forsyth
- 1951 · The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- 1951 · Schlitz Playhouse of Stars as
- 1951 · The Day the Earth Stood Still as Klaatu, alias Mr. Carpenter
- 1951 · The 13th Letter as Dr. Pearson
- 1950 · Trio as Major George Templeton (segment Sanatorium)
- 1950 · The Black Rose as King Edward
- 1950 · The Body Said No! as
- 1949 · Miss Pilgrim's Progress as Bob Thane
- 1949 · The Golden Madonna as Mike Christie
- 1948 · Uneasy Terms as Slim Callaghan
- 1948 · Idol of Paris as Hertz
- 1947 · White Cradle Inn as Rudolph
- 1947 · The Root of All Evil as Charles Mortimer
- 1945 · Caesar and Cleopatra as 1st Centurion
- 1945 · The Wicked Lady as Kit Locksby
- 1945 · I'll Be Your Sweetheart as
- 1943 · The Sky’s the Limit as George
- 1942 · The Big Blockade as George
- 1941 · Tower of Terror as Anthony Hale
- 1941 · Ships with Wings as Lieut. Maxwell
- 1941 · Turned Out Nice Again as Diner
- 1941 · 'Pimpernel' Smith as Prison Camp Officer
- 1941 · The Patient Vanishes as Inspector
- 1941 · Dangerous Moonlight as Kapulski
- 1939 · This Man in Paris as Gang Member (uncredited)
- 1938 · Bank Holiday as Guardsman (uncredited)
- 1938 · The Divorce of Lady X as Minor Role (uncredited)
- 1937 · The Squeaker as Medical Examiner
- 1937 · The Gap as Chemist-Radio Operator (uncredited)
- 1937 · Gangway as Ship's Officer
- 1936 · Gypsy as
- 1936 · The Conquest of the Air as Marquis d'Arlandes (uncredited)
- 1936 · The Man Who Could Work Miracles as San Francisco Cop
- 1936 · Secret Agent as Army Captain (uncredited)