Was the first choice of Laurence Olivier to take over his post as the head of Britain's National Theatre. Finney had played a season shortly after the National Theatre's inaugural season in 1963-64. Finney declined the offer.
As an aspiring actor in the mid-1950s, he made the rounds with Michael Polley, the father of Sarah Polley. Michael Polley says that Finney compared actors to bricklayers, in terms of craft.
Felt the lead role in Tom Jones (1963) wasn't serious enough, and agreed to star only if he got a producing credit; he later traded the credit for profit participation. He later earned an Oscar nomination for this role.
Doesn't have an agent nor a manager
A member of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in Stratford Upon Avon, England, where he performed for three seasons in the early eighties.
An Associate Member of RADA.
Graduated from RADA.
He was awarded the 1986 London Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actor for his performance in Orphans.
He was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1987 (1986 season) for Best Actor in a New Play for Orphans.
Allegedly declined an Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) honour in 1980, and 20 years later also a Knighthood.
