Alec Guinness on stage and screen

Alec Guinness in 1973, by Allan Warren

Plaque installed by the British Film Institute in the City of Westminster, London in recognition of Guinness's contribution to British cinema

Sir Alec Guinness, CH, CBE (1914–2000) was an English actor. Known for his extensive roles on stage and film, he has earned acclaim for his numerous collaborations with David Lean and his work in the Ealing Comedies. He is also known for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars franchise starting from 1977. In the BFI Top 100 British films listing, Guinness was single most noted actor, represented across nine films — six in starring roles and three in supporting roles. He received several honors including an Academy Honorary Award, a BAFTA Fellowship and a BFI Fellowship.

After an early career on the stage, Guinness made a name for himself in six Ealing Comedies, starting in 1949 with both A Run for Your Money and Kind Hearts and Coronets — in which he played nine different characters — going on to lead roles in The Lavender Hill Mob and The Man in the White Suit both in 1951, The Ladykillers in 1955, and culminating with Barnacle Bill in 1957.

Guinness is known for his six collaborations with David Lean: Herbert Pocket in Great Expectations (1946), Fagin in Oliver Twist (1948), Col. Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor), Prince Faisal in Lawrence of Arabia (1962), General Yevgraf Zhivago in Doctor Zhivago (1965), and Professor Godbole in A Passage to India (1984).

Guinness is also known for his portrayal of Obi-Wan Kenobi in George Lucas's original Star Wars trilogy; for his performance in the original 1977 film, he was nominated as Best Supporting Actor for the Academy Award and Golden Globe.

Guinness continued his acting in theatre throughout his working life, but his later life was closely associated with his definitive depiction of the leading role of George Smiley in the two BBC television series of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Smiley's People by John le Carré.

• Alec Guinness at the British Film Institute^{[better source needed]}
• Alec Guinness at the BFI's Screenonline
• Alec Guinness at IMDb
• Alec Guinness at the TCM Movie Database