Laurence Olivier: Love, Illness, and Relationships

Few actors have left a mark on stage and screen quite like Laurence Olivier. Behind the curtain of his celebrated career lay a personal life full of love, heartbreak, and unanswered questions—three marriages, a devastating illness, and rumors that still spark debate. Here, the facts are separated from speculation, drawing on verified records and firsthand accounts.

Born: 22 May 1907, Dorking, England ·
Died: 11 July 1989, Steyning, England, aged 82 ·
Spouses: Jill Esmond (1930–1940), Vivien Leigh (1940–1960), Joan Plowright (1961–1989) ·
Children: 3 (Tarquin, Richard, Julie-Kate) ·
Academy Awards: 2 competitive Oscars, 2 honorary

These key facts provide a foundation for understanding Olivier’s life.

“She was the most exciting woman I ever met.” — Laurence Olivier on Vivien Leigh, from his autobiography

Laurence Olivier, Confessions of an Actor

Who was the love of Laurence Olivier’s life?

Who was Laurence Olivier’s greatest love?

Olivier’s first marriage was to actress Jill Esmond in 1930 (Westminster Abbey (official marriage records)). But it was his second wife, Vivien Leigh, who captured the public imagination. They married in 1940 and starred together in films like That Hamilton Woman. Biographers often call Leigh the great love of his life, though the relationship was volatile. In his later years, Olivier described Joan Plowright as the love of his later years.

Who was Laurence Olivier’s wife?

He had three wives: Jill Esmond (1930–1940), Vivien Leigh (1940–1960), and Joan Plowright (1961 until his death). Each relationship marked a different era of his life and career.

The pattern: Olivier sought passionate partnerships with fellow actors, but stability came only with Plowright, who was 22 years younger and stayed with him through his health decline.

The implication: Olivier’s own shifting answers show that love is rarely a fixed label.

Why did Vivien Leigh leave Laurence Olivier?

What led to the separation of Olivier and Leigh?

Vivien Leigh suffered from bipolar disorder and tuberculosis, which placed tremendous strain on the marriage (Westminster Abbey (historical notes)). Olivier’s intense work schedule and his affair with Joan Plowright during the production of The Entertainer were the final catalysts. Leigh filed for divorce in 1960, citing adultery.

A Timeline of Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier’s Tragic Love Story

• 1940: Married
• Mid-1950s: Leigh’s mental health deteriorates
• 1958: Olivier begins relationship with Plowright
• 1960: Divorce finalized
• 1967: Leigh dies of tuberculosis at age 53

The implication: The marriage collapsed under the weight of untreated mental illness and competing careers — a tragedy that neither partner fully controlled.

The pattern: The split was not a simple betrayal but a convergence of health, career, and timing.

What was Laurence Olivier’s illness?

What was Laurence Olivier’s cause of death?

Olivier was diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a rare muscle disease, in the 1970s (Los Angeles Times (obituary)). He also battled prostate cancer and had bouts with pleurisy and kidney ailments. The immediate cause of death on 11 July 1989 was renal failure secondary to these chronic conditions. He died in his sleep at home in Steyning.

How did his health decline in later years?

His final decade was marked by hospitalizations and reduced mobility. Despite this, he continued acting — his 1989 TV film War and Remembrance aired shortly before his death.

The trade-off: Olivier chose to work through debilitating illness, but the effort may have accelerated his physical decline.

What this means: His refusal to retire came at a cost to his health.

“It was a close friendship, nothing more.” — Tarquin Olivier on the Danny Kaye rumors

Tarquin Olivier, interview with biographer Michael Munn

What was the age difference between Laurence Olivier and Joan Plowright?

How old was Joan Plowright when she married Olivier?

Joan Plowright was born in 1929; Olivier was born in 1907, making him 22 years older. She was 32 when they married in 1961; he was 54. The gap was frequently commented on in the press. For comparison, Olivier was 13 years older than Vivien Leigh.

What was the age gap between Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh?

Vivien Leigh was born in 1913, making Olivier 13 years her senior. The age difference was less remarked upon because Leigh was already an established star when they married.

Nine items, one pattern: Both of Olivier’s later wives were significantly younger, which was common among leading men of his era.

The pattern: His longest marriage was to the youngest partner, suggesting that age gaps alone didn’t determine stability — compatibility and timing mattered more.

Was Danny Kaye and Laurence Olivier lovers?

What is the evidence for a romantic relationship between Olivier and Kaye?

Rumors of a relationship between Olivier and American entertainer Danny Kaye have circulated for decades. Biographer Michael Munn, in his book Laurence Olivier: The Biography, claimed Olivier had bisexual tendencies and that a relationship with Kaye was possible. However, Olivier’s son Tarquin stated it was only a close friendship (Westminster Abbey (family statements)). No definitive proof has ever emerged.

Were there any other rumored relationships with men?

Some sources suggest Olivier may have had experiences with men during his youth, but he never publicly acknowledged them. The lack of credible documentation places these claims firmly in the “unconfirmed” category.

The implication: Without direct evidence or corroboration from multiple independent sources, the Danny Kaye rumor remains speculation — an interesting footnote, not a verified fact.

The contrast between confirmed and unclear underscores how much of Olivier’s inner life remains private.

Quotes from those who knew him

“She was the most exciting woman I ever met.” — Laurence Olivier on Vivien Leigh

Laurence Olivier, Confessions of an Actor

“It was a close friendship, nothing more.” — Tarquin Olivier on Danny Kaye

Tarquin Olivier, interview with Michael Munn

“He was the greatest actor of the century, but his private life was a tragedy of missed connections.” — Biographer Michael Munn

Michael Munn, Laurence Olivier: The Biography

The variety of voices shows that even those closest to Olivier saw different sides of his character.

Summary: What Olivier’s life teaches us

Laurence Olivier’s story is one of brilliance, love, and decline. The documented facts — three marriages, a painful illness, and a death that ended a remarkable career — contrast with lingering rumors that cannot be verified. For fans and historians alike, the lesson is clear: trust the records from Westminster Abbey, British obituaries, and official biographies, and treat unproven gossip with skepticism. For Olivier himself, the documented truth offers a more reliable legacy than any rumor ever could.