Actor, Director. He distinguished himself during a lengthy career and was often compared to the likes of Laurence Olivier. His father was a bookie, Albert studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, prior to making his professional debut with the Birmingham Repertory Theatre in 1956. After a wealth of experience performing Shakespearean parts, he was rewarded with a versatile role in the play "Billy Liar" on the London Stage. Finney had already established himself on British Television by the early 1960s, when he made an impression playing 'Arthur' in the film "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" (1960), which earned him a BAFTA Award. This was followed with his title role performance in "Tom Jones" (1963), which earned him his first Academy Award nomination. Other notable pictures of the decade include "The Victors" (1963), "Night Must Fall" (1964), "Two for the Road" (1967), "Charlie Bubbles" (1967, which he also directed) and "Picasso Summer" (1969). Finney made his mark on the Broadway stage with the productions "Luther" (1963 to 1964) and "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg" (1968). Both plays earned him Tony Award nominations. He was memorable as 'Scrooge' in the 1970 film based on the classic character of Charles Dickens and had further accomplished performances in the pictures "Murder on the Orient Express" (1974, Academy Award nomination), "The Dresser" (1983, Academy Award nomination), "Under the Volcano" (1984, Academy Award nomination) and "Erin Brockovich" (2000, Academy Award nomination). Other film credits include "Gumshoe" (1971), "Wolfen" (1981), "Looker" (1981), "Shoot the Moon" (1982), "Annie" (1982) and "Traffic" (2000). Finney played 'Winston Churchill' convincingly in the TV-Movie "The Gathering Storm" (2002), which earned him a Golden Globe Award. He was formerly married to actresses Jane Wenham and Anouk Aimee. In later years, his health declined as he battled kidney cancer.