The Richard Harris Award

"I'm not interested in reputation or immortality or things like that...I don't care what I'm remembered for. I don't care if I'm remembered. I don't care if I'm not remembered. I don't care why I'm remembered. I genuinely don't care."

The British Independent Film Awards is proud to offer an Award in honour of Richard Harris, one of Britain's leading actors from the 1960s through to the turn of the millennium and a true icon of the independent spirit.

Born on October 1, 1930 in Limerick, Ireland as one of 9 children, Richard Harris moved to London in 1954 and was classically trained in acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (Lamda). After making a name for himself on stage, he began his film career with "The Guns of Navarone" (1961) and Marlon Brando's version of "Mutiny on the Bounty" (1962). However, his breakthrough came with the role of Frank Machin in "This Sporting Life" (1963) an electrifying performance which earned him the first of his two Academy Award nominations in the Best Actor category and won him the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Other notable performances came as Cain in "The Bible" (1966), King Arthur in "Camelot" (1967) and John Morgan in "A Man Called Horse" (1970). During this period he also illustrated his talents outside of acting, reaching number 2 in the Billboard charts with his cover of Jimmy Webb's "MacArthur Park" in 1968. Richard then showed his staying power with a second nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for hism authoritative performance as 'Bull' McCabe in "The Field" (1990).

Towards the end of his career, moviegoers were reminded of his talent and versatility in such high profile roles as Emperor Marcus Aurelius in "Gladiator" (2000) and Headmaster Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) and its sequel, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - a role he was convinced into taking when his 11-year-old granddaughter, Ella, said she would never speak to him again if he did not. In addition, he was nominated for the BIFA 2002 Best Actor award for his exceptional performance as Sandeman in "My Kingdom" (2001).

Richard passed away peacefully on October 25th 2002 at the age of 72 having received treatment for Hodgkin's disease.

In recognition of Richard's life work and his legacy, the Richard Harris Award for Outstanding Contribution by an Actor has been formed by the British Independent Film Awards and with the blessing of the Harris family. It was only fitting that Richard himself be the first recipient of this award, which was presented by David Heyman (producer of "Harry Potter" and family friend) to Richard's sons Damian (director), Jared, Jamie (both actors), as well as his granddaughter Ella.

Previous Winners of the Richard Harris Award:
David Thewlis
Ray Winstone
Jim Broadbent
Tilda Swinton
Bob Hoskins
John Hurt