Sir Laurence Olivier, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, has been honoured with an English Heritage blue plaque at his childhood home in Pimlico.

Unveiled by Ian McKellen, the plaque at Olivier’s childhood home on Lupus Street marks the London address where Olivier first discovered a passion for acting and where the foundations of his stage and screen career were laid.

Olivier lived in the house between the ages of six and 11 while his father served as curate at nearby St Saviour’s Church, where the young Laurence was a choirboy. Family recollections describe how “Larry” turned a wooden box and blue curtains into a makeshift theatre, entertaining audiences with songs, dances and dramatic sketches. During this time, he attended All Saints School in Margaret Street, where his talent caught the attention of the actress Ellen Terry, who is said to have declared that the ten-year-old was “already a great actor”.

Olivier later trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama before rising to prominence through acclaimed Shakespearean performances, including Hamlet, Macbeth, Richard III and Henry V. He later achieved international fame on screen with roles in Rebecca, Wuthering Heights, Marathon Man and Sleuth. His film adaptation of Henry V also established him as a major director.

And delivered the famously censored (and later restored) speech about oysters and snails in the movie Spartacus.

Beyond his performances, Olivier played a pivotal role in shaping modern British theatre. As the founding director of the National Theatre, he helped nurture a new generation of actors and playwrights. Honoured with a knighthood, a life peerage and the Order of Merit, his legacy endures through the prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards, which bear his name.

The blue plaque is at 22 Lupus Street, about a 5-minute walk from Pimlico tube station.