Hush-Hush Facts About Alec Guinness, The Acting Chameleon
The star of many epic films, audiences know Alec Guinness as a man who disappeared into his roles. This uncanny skill would help him with another disappearing act—into his secret double life.
1. He Hated His Iconic Role
Alec Guinness was already one of Britain’s most respected film stars when he decided to take a chance on an American film with an unknown cast and a new director. Guinness thought he was slumming it with this silly American film called Star Wars, but this role ended up being the one that made him a superstar.
Sadly, he had to spend the rest of his life known for a movie he hated.
2. He Didn’t Know Who His Father Was
Alec Guinness was born on April 2, 1914 in London, England, but there was something missing from his birth certificate. Mom listed her own name as Agnes de Cuffe, and the baby’s first and second names as Alec Guinness. What was missing was dad. English law stated that an unmarried father must actually be present in order to enter his name on the certificate.
Not only was Guinness’ dad not present, he had no idea who his father actually was.
3. His Mother Was Wild
Years later, Guinness told writer John le Carre that his mother wasn't exactly the purest woman in the world—far from it. He said that during a regatta she slept with not one man but the whole crew of a yacht. His guess was that his father was probably the lowly cook on the ship.
As it turned out, it wasn’t the cook: His most-likely father was someone he already knew.
4. He Called Him Uncle
As Guinness was growing up, he may have noticed a guy occasionally hanging around the family home. This was a Scottish banker named Andrew Geddes, who mom said was his uncle. Geddes was a very generous uncle and paid for Guinness' expensive boarding school. With no help from mom, Guinness eventually figured out the truth. Though he never proved it, he believed Geddes was his father.
Still, Guinness knew he couldn’t count on “uncle dad” for everything and needed a career. His poor choice would leave him close to starving.
