Oliver Reed

Birth name Robert Oliver Reed Nickname Mr England (self-proclaimed) Height 5' 11" (1.80 m) Spouse Josephine Burge (September 1985 - 2 May 1999) (his death) Kate Byrne (1959 - 1969) (divorced) 1 child Trade markOutspoken views a trademark especially his opinions of his co-stars or women in general. TriviaShared the same dentist as horror star Christopher LeeNeeded 36 stitches to repair cuts on his face after a bar fight in 1963. The incident left him with a permanent scar, which he initially feared would put an end to his screen career.He had two brothers. David Reed became his business manager and his half-brother Simon Reed became his press agent.Nephew of the film director Sir Carol Reed, who directed him in one of his best roles, as the villainous Bill Sikes in Oliver! (1968).Father of Mark Reed, with his first wife Kate Byrne and of Sarah Reed, with his partner, the dancer Jacqueline Daryl.He died of a heart attack in a bar after downing three bottles of Captain Morgan's Jamaica rum, eight bottles of German beer, numerous doubles of Famous Grouse whiskey, and beating five much younger Royal Navy sailors at arm-wrestling. His bar bill for that final lunch time totaled 270 Maltese lira, almost £450.He was severely injured and almost died during the filming of The Three Musketeers (1973) when he was stabbed in the throat during the windmill duel scene.It took Director Ridley Scott 3,000,000 dollars to recreate Oliver's face after he dies during the filming of Gladiator (2000)Grandson of actor-manager Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, who founded the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1904.His first job (at the age of 17) was as a bouncer at a Soho nightclub.Was dyslexic.Cousin of actress Tracy Reed and of the actor David Tree.He was related by marriage to fellow actor Edward Fox, who was once married to his cousin, Tracy Reed, daughter of director Sir Carol Reed.Reed narrowly missed out on playing superspy James Bond because of his love of alcohol and fighting. A new biography of the star uncovered a letter from Bond mastermind Albert R. Broccoli outlining how close he came to replacing Sean Connery in the role. Broccoli wrote, "With Reed we would have had a far greater problem to destroy his image and re-mold him as James Bond. We just didn't have the time or money to do that." According to Cliff Goodwin, author of the book "Evil Spirits", "Oliver was probably within a sliver of being cast as Bond." He adds, "But by 1968 his affairs were public and he was already drinking and fighting - as far away from the refined Bond image as you could get."He was one of very few celebrities to remain in England during the 1970s, when taxes were very high. Because of this he referred to himself as "Mr England".By the mid-1970s he was considered by many to be Britain's biggest movie star. He declined roles in The Sting (1973) and Jaws (1975) because he didn't want to relocate to Los Angeles. Both of these roles were taken by fellow British hellraiser Robert Shaw. However, a Hollywood executive claimed, "Reed didn't turn us down. We turned him down. We like our stars to have respect - Oliver Reed didn't respect anyone and he showed it."The actor he admired most was Errol Flynn.He was a close friend of The Who's drummer Keith Moon.In 1973 Steve McQueen flew to England to meet Reed and discuss a possible film collaboration. "Reed showed me his country mansion and we got on well," recalled McQueen. "He then suggested he take me to his favorite London nightclub." The drinking, which started at Reed's home, Broome Hall, continued into the night until Reed could hardly stand. Suddenly, and with no apparent warning, he vomited over McQueen's shirt and trousers. "The staff rushed around and found me some new clothes, but they couldn't get me any shoes," said McQueen. "I had to spend the rest of the night smelling of Oliver Reed's sick."Former snooker champion Alex Higgins, himself suffering from throat cancer, was the only celebrity to attend Reed's funeral in Ireland.His wrestling scene with Alan Bates in Women in Love (1969) was the first time full frontal male nudity had featured in a mainstream movie.Reed died during the filming of Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000), and it cost the company $3 million to recreate his face so he could "appear" in the scenes he still had left to shoot. Personal quotes"You meet a better class of people in pubs.""I do not live in the world of sobriety.""My only regret is that I didn't drink every pub dry and sleep with every woman on the planet.""I believe that my woman shouldn't work outside the home. When I come home and I'm tired from filming all day, I expect her to be there and make sure that everything is cool for me. You know, like drawing my bath and helping me into bed. That's the kind of job she had and, in return for it, she can bear my children and if any man talks bad to her, I'll hit him.""Munchausen was about the only time I've been allowed to do what I want with a part. You can be over-directed by people, but Terry let me have my own way. There was a scene we rehearsed on Saturday where we really hit our stride. When we resumed, Terry said on the Sunday, 'You seemed to be having much more fun with the character yesterday. Could you take it a bit further?' I didn't need to be told twice! Once I realized I could get away with it, off I went!""There is, of course, a world of difference between cricket and the movie business ... I suppose doing a love scene with Racquel Welch roughly corresponds to scoring a century before lunch.""American men like their women to have these special teeth and be perfectly coiffured and have amazing breasts. Have you seen an Italian mama with those kinds of teeth, that kind of hair, and that kind of waist? They're not like that. They're in the kitchen cooking for their families - doing what they should do. I believe my woman shouldn't work outside the home.""I also use women as a sex object; maybe I'm kinky. However, I like to talk to them as well.""I like the effect drink has on me. What's the point of staying sober?""I'm the biggest star this country has got, destroy me and you destroy the whole British film industry.""Richard Burton was hitting the bottle with Jimmy Hurt the night before his death. He knew it was going to kill him, but he did not stop. I don't have a drink problem. But if that was the case and doctors told me I would have to stop, I'd like to think I would be brave enough to drink myself into the grave.""Life shouldn't be about sitting around staring at frosted glass. Life should be lived and that's all there is to it.""Nicholson? As far as I'm concerned, he's a balding midget. He stands five-foot-seven, you know. He tries to play heavies and doesn't quite make it." Salary Gladiator (2000) $1,000,000 .