as Howard Beale in Network (1976)

Born William Mitchell in London, England. The son of an Australian physicist and an English housewife who were divorced when he was two, he was raised by relatives in France, India, and from the age of 10 in Australia. After drifting through a variety of jobs during the Depression, he finally found employment in vaudeville as a comedian's stooge. In 1935 he began acting in the legitimate theater and the following year made his screen debut in the first of several Australian films. He continued acting on the stage as well, forming his own company, and thanks to his good voice, became Australia's leading radio actor. He came to London in 1949 as a protégé of Laurence Olivier and immediately showed much promise both on the British stage and in films. Following a period of supporting roles on the screen, he hit his stride in the mid-50s, emerging as one of Britain's leading male stars. A ruggedly handsome man with weather-beaten features projecting intelligence and warmth, he proved himself capable of roles suggesting both strength and subtlety. He won the British Film Academy (B.F.A.) best actor award several times, for his performances in A TOWN LIKE ALICE (1956), THE TRIALS OF OSCAR WILDE (1960), NO LOVE FOR JOHNNIE (1961), and SUNDAY, BLOODY SUNDAY (1971). Other notable films credits included THE NUN'S STORY (1959), THE PUMPKIN EATER (1964), FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWN (1967), THE LEGEND OF LYLAH CLARE (1968), Ross Hunter's LOST HORIZON (1973) and the made-for-TV movie "Raid on Entebbe" (1977). He was nominated for an Oscar® for his sensitive portrayal of a homosexual doctor in SUNDAY, BLOODY SUNDAY and won Hollywood's Academy Award posthumously for his rousing performance in the role of demented newscaster Howard Beale in NETWORK (1976). He died of a massive heart attack during a promotional campaign for NETWORK. Finch also wrote, produced, and directed a short film, THE DAY (1960).  Nominated for Actor 1971: SUNDAY, BLOODY SUNDAY  Actor 1976: NETWORK 2 nominations, 1 Award