Ian Charleson: Actor and Hamlet

Career timeline, 1949-1990

Ian Charleson was born in Edinburgh in 1949, the son of a printer, and grew up in a working-class area of the city. This timeline follows his path from university and the Young Vic to the National Theatre.1,21

It ends with his death in January 1990 and with some of the tributes made in his memory.2

  1. Born in Edinburgh1

    Early life

    Ian Charleson was born in Edinburgh, the son of a printer, and grew up in a working-class area of the city.

  2. University of Edinburgh3

    Early life

    Charleson attended the University of Edinburgh from 1967 to 1970 on a scholarship and obtained a three-year Scottish MA Ordinary degree.

  3. Stage debut at the Young Vic4

    Stage

    Charleson made his professional stage debut with the Young Vic, as one of the ensemble of brothers in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

  4. Film debut in Jubilee5

    Film

    Charleson made his film debut in Jubilee, directed by Derek Jarman.

  5. Royal Shakespeare Company6

    Stage

    Charleson spent a year in Stratford-upon-Avon with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1978–79.

  6. Variety Club award8

    Film

    Charleson won a Variety Club Showbiz Award for Most Promising Artiste for Chariots of Fire.

  7. Charlie Andrews in Gandhi9

    Film

    Charleson played Charlie Andrews, Gandhi's close friend, in Gandhi, opposite Ben Kingsley.

  8. Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls10

    Stage

    Charleson played Sky Masterson in Richard Eyre's National Theatre revival of Guys and Dolls.

  9. HIV diagnosis12

    Illness

    Charleson was diagnosed with HIV and was not symptomatic until the autumn of 1988.

  10. Hamlet at the National Theatre13,14

    Stage

    Charleson performed Hamlet at the National Theatre from 9 October to 13 November 1989 while seriously ill from AIDS. Richard Eyre had brought him in to replace Daniel Day-Lewis, who had abandoned the production.

  11. Death at age 402

    Illness

    Charleson died of AIDS-related causes at age 40, eight weeks after performing Hamlet at the Olivier Theatre.

  12. Public memorial service16

    Legacy

    A public memorial service for Charleson was held in London, three months after his Edinburgh funeral.

  13. A tribute book is published17

    Legacy

    The book For Ian Charleson: A Tribute was published, with royalties going to the Ian Charleson Trust.

  14. Guys and Dolls reunion18

    Legacy

    Reunion performances of Guys and Dolls were given at the National Theatre as a tribute to Charleson.

  15. Ian Charleson Awards19

    Legacy

    The Ian Charleson Awards were established to reward the best classical stage performances in Britain by actors under 30.

  16. Ian Charleson Day Centre20

    Legacy

    The Royal Free Hospital's HIV out-patient clinic was renamed the Ian Charleson Day Centre.