Mr Frank William Thring OM 1941
Last updated: 2008
Frank Thring was one of Australia's foremost theatrical talents, performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company and achieving international film star status in films such as Ben Hur.
Thring briefly served in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War before making his stage debut in Henry VIII with the Middle Park Repertory Theatre in 1945. His acting career was to span 50 years.
A decade later he was performing in London's West End in Peter Pan and Salome, where he played King Herod. In the Royal Shakespeare Company production Titus Andronicus he performed alongside Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh and Anthony Quayle, the leading actors of his generation.
In 1959 Thring became an international film star when he played Pontius Pilot in the Academy Award winning film Ben Hur. His other film credits include The Vikings, A Question of Adultery, King of Kings, El Cid, Age of Consent, Ned Kelly, Mad Dog Morgan and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.
Melbourne Grammar School marked its sesquicentenary in 2008. As part of the celebrations, a Talents Committed Exhibition was staged. This exhibition recognised 150 Old Melburnians who have made a difference to the City of Melbourne, the State of Victoria and the wider community in Australia and overseas.
The above profile was included in the Talents Committed Exhibition in 2008.