Ralph Richardson is known for is hobby of collecting motorbikes. Even in his 70s he would still ride around on one.

Ralph Richardson has played two roles originally played by Basil Rathbone. In 1948 he played Karenin in the film version of ANNA KARENINA, Rathbone was Karenin in the 1935 film version. Richarson also played Dr. Sloper in the film version of THE HEIRESS in 1949 after Rathbone had played Sloper in the Broadway stage version.

In 1947 Ralph Richardson was Knighted.

In 1949 Ralph Richardson first Hollywood film, which earned him an Oscar nomination as Olivia de Havilland's steely father in THE HEIRESS.

In 1953 Ralph Richardson made his only stab at directing with the thriller HOME AT SEVEN, in which he also took the starring role.

THE FOUR FEATHER in 1939 was probably Ralph Richardson's best leading role, he played the friend of a military "coward" who must prove himself.

In 1982 Ralph Richardson was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Special Award, for his lifetime achievement in the theatre.

The 1984 film, GREYSTROKE: THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, in which he played the apeman's grandfather, Lord Greystoke was Ralph Richardson last film. In the 1989 made for TV movie Ralph Richardson is portrayed by Rhys McConnochie in DARLING OF THE GODS. Once Ralph Richardson was found by police walking very slowly along the gutter of an Oxford street, he explained he was taking his pet mouse for a stroll.

Richardson has played both God IN TIME BANDITS (1981) and the Devil in TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972).

Ralph Richardson has been nominated three times for Broadway's Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic): in 1957, for THE WALTZ OF THE TOREADORS in 1971, for HOME and, in 1977, for NO MANS LAND but never won.

Ralph Richardson's other film credits include:

THE GHOUL
BULLDOG JACK
SOUTH RIDING
Q PLANES
THE FOUR FEATHERS
ANNA KARENINA
THE FALLEN IDOL
THE HEIRESS
HOME AT SEVEN
RICHARD III
OSCAR WILDE
DOCTOR ZHIVAGO
THE WRONG BOX
KHARTOUM
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN
THE LOOKING GLASS WAR
O LUCKY MAN
DRAGONSLAYER
INVITATION TO A WEDDING
GREYSTOKE (AAN)

Ralph's television credits include:

JESUS OF NAZARETH (mini-series)
THE MAN IN THE IRON MASK
WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION

Ralph Richardson in TIME BANDITS

Ralph Richardson in DOCTOR ZHIVAGO (1965)