Michael Rennie
Known for Acting · 111 credits
- Born
- 1909-08-25
- Died
- 1971-06-10
- Place of birth
- Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, UK
- Also known as
- Eric Alexander 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.
Known For
Perry Mason
1957
as Prof. Edward Lindley
Bonanza
1959
as Prof. Poppy / Dr. P.A. Mundy
Batman
1966
as Sandman
Climax!
1954
as Lord Edward Dominey / Major General Von Raggenstein / Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde / Charles Martin Westling / 'Irish' Sean Dillon / James MacLennan / Dr. Fitzroy / Lorenzo
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
1962
as Ralph Manson
The Virginian
1962
as Michael O'Rourke
TV Shows (34)
Perry Mason
1957
as Prof. Edward Lindley
Bonanza
1959
as Prof. Poppy / Dr. P.A. Mundy
Batman
1966
as Sandman
Climax!
1954
as Lord Edward Dominey / Major General Von Raggenstein / Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde / Charles Martin Westling / 'Irish' Sean Dillon / James MacLennan / Dr. Fitzroy / Lorenzo
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
1962
as Ralph Manson
The Virginian
1962
as Michael O'Rourke
Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre
1963
as Edward Parker Greene / Inspector Kauslake
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
1956
as Matthew Birch / Grant Coburn / Marshal Locke Gardner
The F.B.I.
1965
as Conrad Letterman / Albert Robinson / Major John Anka / Eric Reverson
Daniel Boone
1964
as Maj. Peter Wellington / Edgar Newton
Route 66
1960
Lost in Space
1965
as The Keeper
The Invaders
1967
as Magnus / Vice Chancellor Pierre Alquist
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
as Allen Bliss / Sir Humphrey J. Orford
The 20th Century Fox Hour
1955
as Narrator
Kraft Suspense Theatre
1963
as Robert Thurston
The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
1964
as Barnaby Partridge
The Time Tunnel
1966
as Capt. Malcolm Smith
12 O'Clock High
1964
as Gen. St. John Keighley
Branded
1965
Shirley Temple's Storybook
1958
as Captain Creighton
The Barbara Stanwyck Show
1960
as Julius
The Third Man
1959
Suspicion
1957
as Angus Martin
The Great Adventure
1963
as President Jefferson Davis
The Wonderful World of Disney
1954
as Self
ABC Stage 67
1966
The Dick Powell Show
1961
as Inspector Marshall / General Conrad Munday
Producers' Showcase
1954
as Howard Joyce
DuPont Show of the Month
1957
Hondo
1967
Jericho
1966
The Danny Thomas Hour
1967
as Paul Heaton
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
1951
Movies (77)
The Robe
1953
as Peter
Titanic
1953
as End Narrator (Voice)
The Day the Earth Stood Still
1951
as Klaatu, alias Mr. Carpenter
The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel
1951
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
Demetrius and the Gladiators
1954
as Peter
Les Miserables
1952
as Jean Valjean
Cyborg 2087
1966
as Garth A7
The Devil's Brigade
1968
as Lt. Gen. Mark Clark
The Lost World
1960
as Lord John Roxton
5 Fingers
1952
as Colin Travers
Soldier of Fortune
1955
as Inspector Merryweather, Hong Kong Marine Police
Dangerous Crossing
1953
as Dr. Paul Manning
Secret Agent
1936
as Army Captain (uncredited)
Désirée
1954
as Bernadotte
Trio
1950
as Major George Templeton (segment Sanatorium)
The Desert Rats
1953
as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
The Power
1968
as Arthur Nordlund
Hotel
1967
as Geoffrey - Duke of Lanbourne
Ride Beyond Vengeance
1966
as Brooks Durham
The Horror Show
1979
as (archive footage)
Caesar and Cleopatra
1945
as 1st Centurion
The Black Rose
1950
as King Edward
Phone Call from a Stranger
1952
as Dr. Robert Fortness
Omar Khayyam
1957
as Hasani Sabah
"Pimpernel" Smith
1941
as Prison Camp Officer
Dangerous Moonlight
1941
as Kapulski
King of the Khyber Rifles
1953
as Brig. Gen. J. R. Maitland
Naked You Die
1968
as Inspector Durand
The Wicked Lady
1945
as Kit Locksby
Assignment Terror
1970
as Dr. Odo Warnoff
Island in the Sun
1957
as Hilary Carson
Princess of the Nile
1954
as Rama Khan
Lost In Space Forever
1998
as The Keeper (archive footage)
Third Man on the Mountain
1959
as Captain John Winter
The Rains of Ranchipur
1955
as Lord Albert Esketh
The Squeaker
1937
as Medical Examiner
Battle of the V-1
1958
as Stefan
The Man Who Could Work Miracles
1936
as San Francisco Cop
The Divorce of Lady X
1938
as Minor Role (uncredited)
Mambo
1954
as Enrico Marisoni
The House in the Square
1951
as Roger Forsyth
Bank Holiday
1938
as Guardsman (uncredited)
Mary, Mary
1963
as Dirk Winston
Gypsy
1936
Teenage Rebel
1956
as Jay Fallon
Hondo and the Apaches
1967
as Tribolet
Seven Cities of Gold
1955
as Father Junipero Serra
Turned Out Nice Again
1941
as Diner
Subterfuge
1968
as Goldsmith
The Battle of El Alamein
1969
as Bernard Law Montgomery
The Patient Vanishes
1941
as Inspector
Stoney
1969
as Harvey Ward
The 13th Letter
1951
as Dr. Pearson
The Conquest of the Air
1931
as Marquis d'Arlandes (uncredited)
The Root of All Evil
1947
as Charles Mortimer
The Body Said No!
1950
as The Body
The Last Chance
1968
as George McConnell
Death on the Run
1967
as Major Worthington Clark
Tower of Terror
1941
as Anthony Hale
Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
1995
as Klaatu (archive footage) (uncredited)
Seven Into Hell
1968
as Blynn
This Man in Paris
1939
as Gang Member (uncredited)
Idol of Paris
1948
as Hertz
Miss Pilgrim's Progress
1949
as Bob Thane
Ships with Wings
1941
as Lieut. Maxwell
Gangway
1937
as Ship's Officer
Sailor of the King
1953
as Lt. Richard Saville
The Big Blockade
1942
as George
The Golden Madonna
1949
as Mike Christie
Perilous Assignment
1959
as Self
The Sky’s the Limit
1943
as George
White Cradle Inn
1947
as Rudolph
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
1955
as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Hyde
The Gap
1937
as Chemist-Radio Operator (uncredited)
Circle of the Day
1957
as Eric Millet
Uneasy Terms
1948
as Slim Callaghan
I'll Be Your Sweetheart
1945
About Michael Rennie
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 Britis… With 111 credits spanning from 1931 to 1998, Michael Rennie has appeared in 77 films and 34 TV shows.
Fans searching for Michael Rennie movies, Michael Rennie filmography, or the latest projects starring Michael Rennie can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Michael Rennie Movies
- The Robe (1953) — as Peter
- Titanic (1953) — as End Narrator (Voice)
- The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) — as Klaatu, alias Mr. Carpenter
- The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel (1951) — as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- Demetrius and the Gladiators (1954) — as Peter
Where to Watch Michael Rennie Films
Most Michael Rennie movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Michael Rennie, check our movies catalogue and browse page.