Sir Reginald Carey "Rex" Harrison was an English actor. Harrison began his career on the stage in 1924. He made his West End debut in 1936 appearing in the Terence Rattigan play French Without Tears, in what was his breakthrough role. He won his first Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance as Henry VIII in the Broadway play Anne of the Thousand Days in 1949. He returned to Broadway portraying Professor Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady where he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
In addition to his stage career, Harrison also appeared in numerous films. His first starring role was opposite Vivien Leigh in the romantic comedy Storm in a Teacup. Receiving critical acclaim for his performance in Major Barbara, which was shot in London during the Blitz, his roles since then included Blithe Spirit, Anna and the King of Siam, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Cleopatra, My Fair Lady, reprising his stage role as Henry Higgins which earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor, and the titular character in Doctor Dolittle.
In 1975, Harrison released his first autobiography. In June 1989, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.