Michael Rennie
Michael Rennie
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
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
124
Gender
Male
Birthday
1909-08-25 (115 years old)
Place of Birth
Bradford, Yorkshire, England
Acting

1998

Lost In Space Forever as The Keeper (archive footage)

1995

Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey as Klaatu (archive footage) (uncredited)

1979

The Horror Show as (archive footage)

1970

Assignment Terror as Dr. Odo Warnoff

1969

The Battle of El Alamein as Bernard Law Montgomery

1969

Stoney as Harvey Ward

1968

The Devil's Brigade as Lt. Gen. Mark Clark

1968

Naked You Die as Inspector Durand

1968

The Power as Arthur Nordlund

1968

Seven Into Hell as Blynn

1968

Subterfuge as Goldsmith

1968

The Last Chance as George McConnell

1967

The Invaders as Magnus

1967

The Invaders as Vice Chancellor Pierre Alquist

1967

Hondo as Not available

1967

The Danny Thomas Hour as Paul Heaton

1967

Hotel as Geoffrey - Duke of Lanbourne

1967

Hondo and the Apaches as Tribolet

1967

Death on the Run as Major Worthington Clark

1966

Batman as Sandman

1966

The Time Tunnel as Capt. Malcolm Smith

1966

ABC Stage 67 as Not available

1966

Jericho as Not available

1966

Ride Beyond Vengeance as Brooks Durham

1966

Cyborg 2087 as Garth A7

1965

Lost in Space as The Keeper

1965

The F.B.I. as Conrad Letterman

1965

The F.B.I. as Albert Robinson / Major John Anka

1965

The F.B.I. as Eric Reverson

1965

Branded as Not available

1964

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. as Barnaby Partridge

1964

Daniel Boone as Maj. Peter Wellington

1964

Daniel Boone as Edgar Newton

1964

12 O'Clock High as Gen. St. John Keighley

1963

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre as Edward Parker Greene

1963

Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre as Inspector Kauslake

1963

Kraft Suspense Theatre as Robert Thurston

1963

The Great Adventure as President Jefferson Davis

1963

Mary, Mary as Dirk Winston

1962

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour as Ralph Manson

1962

The Virginian as Michael O'Rourke

1961

The Dick Powell Show as Inspector Marshall

1961

The Dick Powell Show as General Conrad Munday

1960

Route 66 as Not available

1960

The Lost World as Lord John Roxton

1959

Bonanza as Prof. Poppy / Dr. P.A. Mundy

1959

The Third Man as Not available

1959

Third Man on the Mountain as Captain John Winter

1959

Perilous Assignment as Self

1958

Shirley Temple's Storybook as Captain Creighton

1958

Battle of the V-1 as Stefan

1957

Perry Mason as Prof. Edward Lindley

1957

DuPont Show of the Month as Not available

1957

Suspicion as Angus Martin

1957

Omar Khayyam as Hasani Sabah

1957

Island in the Sun as Hilary Carson

1956

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre as Matthew Birch

1956

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre as Grant Coburn

1956

Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre as Marshal Locke Gardner

1956

Teenage Rebel as Jay Fallon

1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Allen Bliss

1955

Alfred Hitchcock Presents as Sir Humphrey J. Orford

1955

The 20th Century Fox Hour as Narrator

1955

Soldier of Fortune as Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police

1955

Seven Cities of Gold as Father Junipero Serra

1955

The Rains of Ranchipur as Lord Albert Esketh

1955

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde

1954

Climax! as Lord Edward Dominey / Major General Von Raggenstein

1954

Climax! as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde

1954

Climax! as Charles Martin Westling

1954

Climax! as 'Irish' Sean Dillon

1954

Climax! as James MacLennan

1954

Climax! as Dr. Fitzroy

1954

Climax! as Lorenzo

1954

Désirée as Bernadotte

1954

Princess of the Nile as Rama Khan

1954

Mambo as Enrico Marisoni

1953

Titanic as End Narrator (Voice)

1953

The Robe as Peter

1953

King of the Khyber Rifles as Brig. Gen. J. R. Maitland

1953

The Desert Rats as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

1953

Dangerous Crossing as Dr. Paul Manning

1953

Sailor of the King as Lt. Richard Saville

1952

Phone Call from a Stranger as Dr. Robert Fortness

1952

Les Miserables as Jean Valjean

1952

5 Fingers as Colin Travers

1951

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars as Not available

1951

The Day the Earth Stood Still as Klaatu, alias Mr. Carpenter

1951

The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

1951

The House in the Square as Roger Forsyth

1951

The 13th Letter as Dr. Pearson

1950

The Black Rose as King Edward

1950

Trio as Major George Templeton (segment Sanatorium)

1950

The Body Said No! as Not available

1949

The Golden Madonna as Mike Christie

1949

Miss Pilgrim's Progress as Bob Thane

1948

Idol of Paris as Hertz

1948

Uneasy Terms as Slim Callaghan

1947

The Root of All Evil as Charles Mortimer

1947

White Cradle Inn as Rudolph

1945

Caesar and Cleopatra as 1st Centurion

1945

The Wicked Lady as Kit Locksby

1945

I'll Be Your Sweetheart as Not available

1943

The Sky’s the Limit as George

1942

The Big Blockade as George

1941

'Pimpernel' Smith as Prison Camp Officer

1941

Dangerous Moonlight as Kapulski

1941

Turned Out Nice Again as Diner

1941

Ships with Wings as Lieut. Maxwell

1941

Tower of Terror as Anthony Hale

1941

The Patient Vanishes as Inspector

1939

This Man in Paris as Gang Member (uncredited)

1938

The Divorce of Lady X as Minor Role (uncredited)

1938

Bank Holiday as Guardsman (uncredited)

1937

The Squeaker as Medical Examiner

1937

The Gap as Chemist-Radio Operator (uncredited)

1937

Gangway as Ship's Officer

1936

Secret Agent as Army Captain (uncredited)

1936

The Man Who Could Work Miracles as San Francisco Cop

1936

The Conquest of the Air as Marquis d'Arlandes (uncredited)

1936

Gypsy as Not available