Wild Facts About Oliver Reed, British Cinema’s Bad Boy
Renowned for his larger-than-life personality and notorious bouts of heavy drinking, the legacy of Oliver Reed is as much a tale of dramatic on-screen presence as it is a captivating off-screen saga of wild and reckless drinking stories.
1. He Was A Hellraiser
Oliver Reed came from relatively normal roots, with no formal acting training, and became one of the most highly recognized British actors of his time. While his filmography was vast and impressive, he was perhaps best known for the reckless, rough persona he took on after he downed a couple of drinks.
Throughout his life, his drinking and recklessness became even more uncontrollable.
2. He Had An Ordinary Upbringing
Robert Oliver Reed was born on February 13, 1938 at in London, to Peter Reed, a sports journalist, and Marcia. His childhood was nothing out of the ordinary—but that didn’t stop Reed from creating his own story, and a much grander one at that. He once claimed to have been a descendant of Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia.
Though his early years might have been mundane, at the age of nine, his life was forever altered.
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3. He Was A Problem Child
Reed’s parents sent him off to boarding school—which quickly proved to be a miserable experience. He struggled with reading, writing and math due to his undiagnosed dyslexia. The consequences were brutal. He was expelled from 14 different schools. Luckily, Reed was blessed with athletic prowess and was able to stay afloat on top of the boarding school food chain by becoming a thug.
“Bully Boy Reed, a swaggering Jack the Lad,” was how he referred to himself. And even after his school years, Reed found himself bouncing from place to place.
4. He Loved All Things Army
Reed had found that he even if he couldn’t make good grades, he could thrive in a male-dominated environment—and so naturally, he joined the army. Unfortunately, his dyslexia prevented him from working his way up the ranks.
Regardless, Reed was a loyal and dedicated serviceman, even volunteering his service later in life.
During this time, Reed met many other young, aspiring actors, piquing his interest in the industry. Soon, the troubled adult would find his calling.
