Michael Rennie
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- August 25, 1909
- Died
- June 10, 1971 (aged 61)
- Birthplace
- Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK
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
Photos
Filmography
Lost in Space Forever
Movie · as The Keeper (archive footage)
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
Movie · as Klaatu (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Horror Show
Movie · as (archive footage)
Assignment Terror
Movie · as Dr. Odo Warnoff
The Battle of El Alamein
Movie · as Bernard Law Montgomery
Stoney
Movie · as Harvey Ward
The Power
Movie · as Arthur Nordlund
Subterfuge
Movie · as Goldsmith
The Last Chance
Movie · as George McConnell
Seven Into Hell
Movie · as Blynn
The Devil's Brigade
Movie · as Lt. Gen. Mark Clark
Naked You Die
Movie · as Inspector Durand
Hondo and the Apaches
Movie · as Tribolet
Death on the Run
Movie · as Major Worthington Clark
Hotel
Movie · as Geoffrey - Duke of Lanbourne
Hondo
TV · 2 eps
The Invaders
TV · as Magnus, Vice Chancellor Pierre Alquist · 1 ep
The Danny Thomas Hour
TV · as Paul Heaton · 1 ep
Cyborg 2087
Movie · as Garth A7
Ride Beyond Vengeance
Movie · as Brooks Durham
The Time Tunnel
TV · as Capt. Malcolm Smith · 1 ep
Batman
TV · as Sandman · 2 eps
Jericho
TV · 1 ep
ABC Stage 67
TV · 1 ep
The F.B.I.
TV · as Conrad Letterman, Albert Robinson / Major John Anka, Eric Reverson · 1 ep
Lost in Space
TV · as The Keeper · 2 eps
Branded
TV · 1 ep
Daniel Boone
TV · as Maj. Peter Wellington, Edgar Newton · 1 ep
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
TV · as Barnaby Partridge · 1 ep
12 O'Clock High
TV · as Gen. St. John Keighley · 1 ep
Mary, Mary
Movie · as Dirk Winston
The Great Adventure
TV · as President Jefferson Davis · 1 ep
Kraft Suspense Theatre
TV · as Robert Thurston · 1 ep
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
TV · as Edward Parker Greene, Inspector Kauslake · 1 ep
The Virginian
TV · as Michael O'Rourke · 1 ep
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
TV · as Ralph Manson · 1 ep
The Dick Powell Show
TV · as Inspector Marshall, General Conrad Munday · 1 ep
The Lost World
Movie · as Lord John Roxton
Route 66
TV · 2 eps
The Barbara Stanwyck Show
TV · as Julius · 1 ep
Third Man on the Mountain
Movie · as Captain John Winter
Perilous Assignment
Movie · as Self
The Third Man
TV · 77 eps
Bonanza
TV · as Prof. Poppy / Dr. P.A. Mundy · 1 ep
Battle of the V-1
Movie · as Stefan
Shirley Temple's Storybook
TV · as Captain Creighton · 1 ep
Island in the Sun
Movie · as Hilary Carson
Omar Khayyam
Movie · as Hasani Sabah
Circle of the Day
Movie · as Eric Millet
Perry Mason
TV · as Prof. Edward Lindley · 1 ep
DuPont Show of the Month
TV · 1 ep
Suspicion
TV · as Angus Martin · 1 ep
Teenage Rebel
Movie · as Jay Fallon
The Letter
Movie · as Howard Joyce
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
TV · as Matthew Birch, Grant Coburn, Marshal Locke Gardner · 1 ep
Soldier of Fortune
Movie · as Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police
The Rains of Ranchipur
Movie · as Lord Albert Esketh
Seven Cities of Gold
Movie · as Father Junipero Serra
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Movie · as Dr. Jekyll
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
TV · as Allen Bliss, Sir Humphrey J. Orford · 1 ep
The 20th Century Fox Hour
TV · as Narrator · 1 ep
Désirée
Movie · as Bernadotte
Demetrius and the Gladiators
Movie · as Peter
Princess of the Nile
Movie · as Rama Khan
Mambo
Movie · as Enrico Marisoni
Climax!
TV · as Lord Edward Dominey / Major General Von Raggenstein, Dr. Jekyll, Charles Martin Westling, 'Irish' Sean Dillon, Dr. Fitzroy, James MacLennan, Lorenzo · 1 ep
The Wonderful World of Disney
TV · as Self · 1 ep
Producers' Showcase
TV · as Howard Joyce · 1 ep
Dangerous Crossing
Movie · as Dr. Paul Manning
The Robe
Movie · as Peter
Sailor of the King
Movie · as Lt. Richard Saville
King of the Khyber Rifles
Movie · as Brig. Gen. J. R. Maitland
The Desert Rats
Movie · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Titanic
Movie · as End Narrator (Voice)
Phone Call from a Stranger
Movie · as Dr. Robert Fortness
5 Fingers
Movie · as Colin Travers
Les Miserables
Movie · as Jean Valjean
The Day the Earth Stood Still
Movie · as Klaatu / Mr. Carpenter
The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel
Movie · as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
The 13th Letter
Movie · as Dr. Pearson
The House in the Square
Movie · as Roger Forsyth
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
TV · 1 ep
Trio
Movie · as Major George Templeton (segment Sanatorium)
The Body Said No!
Movie · as The Body
The Black Rose
Movie · as King Edward
Miss Pilgrim's Progress
Movie · as Bob Thane
The Golden Madonna
Movie · as Mike Christie
Uneasy Terms
Movie · as Slim Callaghan
Idol of Paris
Movie · as Hertz
The Root of All Evil
Movie · as Charles Mortimer
White Cradle Inn
Movie · as Rudolph
Caesar and Cleopatra
Movie · as 1st Centurion
The Wicked Lady
Movie · as Kit Locksby
I'll Be Your Sweetheart
Movie
The Sky’s the Limit
Movie · as George
The Big Blockade
Movie · as George
The Patient Vanishes
Movie · as Inspector
Tower of Terror
Movie · as Anthony Hale
Ships with Wings
Movie · as Lieut. Maxwell
Turned Out Nice Again
Movie · as Diner
Dangerous Moonlight
Movie · as Kapulski
"Pimpernel" Smith
Movie · as Prison Camp Officer
This Man in Paris
Movie · as Gang Member (uncredited)
The Divorce of Lady X
Movie · as Minor Role (uncredited)
Bank Holiday
Movie · as Guardsman (uncredited)
The Gap
Movie · as Chemist-Radio Operator (uncredited)
Gangway
Movie · as Ship's Officer
The Squeaker
Movie · as Medical Examiner
Secret Agent
Movie · as Army Captain (uncredited)
The Man Who Could Work Miracles
Movie · as San Francisco Cop
Gypsy
Movie
The Conquest of the Air
Movie · as Marquis d'Arlandes (uncredited)