Michael Rennie
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- August 25, 1909, Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK
- Died
- June 10, 1971
- Movies
- 78
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.
Best-Known Movies
Filmography
| 1998 | Lost in Space Forever | The Keeper (archive footage) |
| 1995 | Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey | Klaatu (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| 1979 | The Horror Show | (archive footage) |
| 1970 | Assignment Terror | Dr. Odo Warnoff |
| 1969 | The Battle of El Alamein | Bernard Law Montgomery |
| 1969 | Stoney | Harvey Ward |
| 1968 | Subterfuge | Goldsmith |
| 1968 | The Last Chance | George McConnell |
| 1968 | Seven Into Hell | Blynn |
| 1968 | The Devil's Brigade | Lt. Gen. Mark Clark |
| 1968 | The Power | Arthur Nordlund |
| 1968 | Naked You Die | Inspector Durand |
| 1967 | Death on the Run | Major Worthington Clark |
| 1967 | Hondo and the Apaches | Tribolet |
| 1967 | Hotel | Geoffrey - Duke of Lanbourne |
| 1966 | Cyborg 2087 | Garth A7 |
| 1966 | Ride Beyond Vengeance | Brooks Durham |
| 1963 | Mary, Mary | Dirk Winston |
| 1960 | The Lost World | Lord John Roxton |
| 1959 | Third Man on the Mountain | Captain John Winter |
| 1959 | Perilous Assignment | Self |
| 1958 | Battle of the V-1 | Stefan |
| 1957 | Omar Khayyam | Hasani Sabah |
| 1957 | Island in the Sun | Hilary Carson |
| 1957 | Circle of the Day | Eric Millet |
| 1956 | Teenage Rebel | Jay Fallon |
| 1956 | The Letter | Howard Joyce |
| 1955 | The Rains of Ranchipur | Lord Albert Esketh |
| 1955 | Seven Cities of Gold | Father Junipero Serra |
| 1955 | Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde | Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde |
| 1955 | Soldier of Fortune | Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police |
| 1954 | Désirée | Bernadotte |
| 1954 | Mambo | Enrico Marisoni |
| 1954 | Princess of the Nile | Rama Khan |
| 1954 | Demetrius and the Gladiators | Peter |
| 1953 | King of the Khyber Rifles | Brig. Gen. J. R. Maitland |
| 1953 | The Robe | Peter |
| 1953 | Dangerous Crossing | Dr. Paul Manning |
| 1953 | Sailor of the King | Lt. Richard Saville |
| 1953 | Titanic | End Narrator (Voice) |
| 1953 | The Desert Rats | Narrator (voice) (uncredited) |
| 1952 | Les Miserables | Jean Valjean |
| 1952 | 5 Fingers | Colin Travers |
| 1952 | Phone Call from a Stranger | Dr. Robert Fortness |
| 1951 | The House in the Square | Roger Forsyth |
| 1951 | The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel | Narrator (voice) (uncredited) |
| 1951 | The Day the Earth Stood Still | Klaatu / Mr. Carpenter |
| 1951 | The 13th Letter | Dr. Pearson |
| 1950 | Trio | Major George Templeton (segment Sanatorium) |
| 1950 | The Black Rose | King Edward |
| 1950 | The Body Said No! | The Body |
| 1949 | Miss Pilgrim's Progress | Bob Thane |
| 1949 | The Golden Madonna | Mike Christie |
| 1948 | Uneasy Terms | Slim Callaghan |
| 1948 | Idol of Paris | Hertz |
| 1947 | White Cradle Inn | Rudolph |
| 1947 | The Root of All Evil | Charles Mortimer |
| 1945 | Caesar and Cleopatra | 1st Centurion |
| 1945 | The Wicked Lady | Kit Locksby |
| 1945 | I'll Be Your Sweetheart | |
| 1943 | The Sky’s the Limit | George |
| 1942 | The Big Blockade | George |
| 1941 | Tower of Terror | Anthony Hale |
| 1941 | Ships with Wings | Lieut. Maxwell |
| 1941 | Turned Out Nice Again | Diner |
| 1941 | "Pimpernel" Smith | Prison Camp Officer |
| 1941 | The Patient Vanishes | Inspector |
| 1941 | Dangerous Moonlight | Kapulski |
| 1939 | This Man in Paris | Gang Member (uncredited) |
| 1938 | Bank Holiday | Guardsman (uncredited) |
| 1938 | The Divorce of Lady X | Minor Role (uncredited) |
| 1937 | The Squeaker | Medical Examiner |
| 1937 | The Gap | Chemist-Radio Operator (uncredited) |
| 1937 | Gangway | Ship's Officer |
| 1936 | Gypsy | |
| 1936 | The Man Who Could Work Miracles | San Francisco Cop |
| 1936 | Secret Agent | Army Captain (uncredited) |
| 1931 | The Conquest of the Air | Marquis d'Arlandes (uncredited) |
Data from TMDB. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.