British actor, a total craftsman and one of the leading box-office stars throughout the 1960s. His 31 year career resulted in more than 60 films throughout which he chose to work consistently with European art-house directors, rather than pursuing the commercial path. The result of this decision is a number of beautifully crafted portrayals and classic films.
In the late ’30s, Bogarde began acting on the stage. Throughout World War II he served in military intelligence and saw action in Europe. Demobilized in 1946 he resumed his stage career and was soon being offered film roles. He became a major box-office star in the ’50s. Since 1963, the year he made The Damned for Visconti, he has acted only sporadically.
He is the author of two-well-received autobiographies and several novels, including A Gentle Occupation (1980) and Voices in the Garden (1981). Living in France for 20 years, Bogarde remained unmarried.
For many years he shared his homes, first in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, then in France, with his lover Anthony Forwood, who was the former husband of actress Glynis Johns and the father of their only child, actor Gareth Forwood. Bogarde repeatedly denied that their relationship was anything but platonic, as was customary at the time.
He died of a heart attack on 8 May 1999, London.
Link to Wikipedia biography