Orson Welles's Real Name: George Orson Welles

Quick answer: Orson Welles's documented full name is George Orson Welles. He was born on May 6, 1915, in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and died on October 10, 1985, in Los Angeles, at 70. He wrote, directed, produced, and starred in Citizen Kane (1941), one of the most influential films in cinema (Britannica; Biography).

Real name and early life

The Library of Congress heading is "Welles, Orson, 1915-1985," with the official variant "Welles, George Orson, 1915-1985." Britannica says he was born on May 6, 1915, in Kenosha, to Beatrice Ives, a concert pianist, and Richard Welles, an inventor and businessman, and describes him as a child prodigy in music, acting, and writing. Biography.com says his parents separated when he was four, his mother died when he was nine, and his father died when Orson was 13. A guardian, Maurice Bernstein, later enrolled him at the Todd School in Woodstock, Illinois, where he found the theater. He then went to Dublin and appeared at the Gate Theatre, Biography.com says, and by 19 had made a Broadway debut as Tybalt in Romeo and Juliet.

Career highlights

Biography.com says his Broadway work drew the attention of director John Houseman, who cast him in the Federal Theatre Project. His theater and radio work, including a famous radio version of H.G. Wells's The War of the Worlds, then brought his name before Hollywood, Britannica says. In 1939, Britannica says, he signed an unusual RKO contract that gave him near-total autonomy. Citizen Kane (1941), which he wrote, directed, produced, and acted in, became a landmark for its narrative technique, photography, lighting, and sound. He received an Academy Award for writing (original screenplay) in 1942 and an honorary Oscar in 1971. Later films widely associated with him include The Magnificent Ambersons, The Lady from Shanghai, Macbeth, Othello, Touch of Evil, Chimes at Midnight, and F for Fake. Britannica also notes his innovative use of photography, dramatic lighting, and music to create mood and advance the story.

Death

Biography.com says he died of a heart attack in Los Angeles on October 10, 1985. Britannica likewise gives that date and city and says he was 70.

Name notes for searchers

George Orson Welles is the documented full name; he was billed as Orson Welles. Library of Congress variants also include occasional pseudonyms used in print, such as O.W. Jeeves and G.O. Spelvin. He should not be confused with the novelist H.G. Wells, whose War of the Worlds Welles adapted for radio.