University of Guelph Library
William Hutt
Renowned Canadian actor William Hutt has forever enriched the Library's L.W. Conolly Theatre Archives with his donation of more than 400 items, including scripts, reviews, articles, correspondence, essays, photos and personal papers. Hutt made the gift the year before his death in June 2007 at age 87.
"The Conolly archives are an extraordinary gathering of diverse materials and resources, and William Hutt's collection is a wonderful addition," said Michael Ridley, U of G's former chief information officer and chief librarian.
"He is a legend of Canadian theatre. His acting and directing career parallels the evolution of the Canadian stage from fledgling newcomer to world-class professionalism. Through his materials, students and scholars will see theatre from a new and very personal perspective."
Born in 1920 in Toronto, Hutt served in the Second World War and studied at the University of Toronto's Trinity College before landing a role at the Stratford Festival at age 33. He performed more Shakespeare than Sir Lawrence Olivier or Christopher Plummer. He retired in 2005 after taking part in 39 seasons at Stratford, stretching back to the festival's inaugural performance in 1953. Hutt also appeared on stages in London, Toronto and New York.
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