Cliff Richard

Cliff Richard

Acting • Born 1940-10-14

Acting1Lucknow, India

Biography

Sir Cliff Richard OBE (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is an English singer who holds both British and Barbadian citizenship. He has total sales of over 21.5 million singles in the United Kingdom and is the third-top-selling artist in UK Singles Chart history, behind the Beatles and Elvis Presley. Richard was originally marketed as a rebellious rock and roll singer in the style of Presley and Little Richard. With his backing group, the Shadows, he dominated the British popular music scene in the pre-Beatles period of the late 1950s to early 1960s. His 1958 hit single "Move It" is often described as Britain's first authentic rock and roll song. In the early 1960s, he had a prosperous screen career with films including The Young Ones, Summer Holiday and Wonderful Life and his own television show at the BBC. Increased focus on his Christian faith and subsequent softening of his music led to a more middle-of-the-road image, and he sometimes ventured into contemporary Christian music. In a career spanning nearly 65 years, Richard has amassed several gold and platinum discs and awards, including two Ivor Novello Awards and three Brit Awards. More than 130 of his singles, albums, and EPs have reached the UK Top 20, more than any other artist. Richard has had 67 UK top ten singles, the second highest total for an artist (behind Presley). He holds the record, with Presley, as the only act to make the UK singles charts in all of its first six decades (1950s–2000s). He has achieved 14 UK No. 1 singles, and is the only singer to have had a No. 1 single in the UK in each of five consecutive decades. He also had four UK Christmas No. 1 singles, two of which were as a solo artist; "Mistletoe and Wine" and "Saviour's Day". Richard has sold more than 250 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has never achieved the same popularity in the United States despite eight US Top 40 singles, including the million-selling "Devil Woman" and "We Don't Talk Anymore". In Canada, he had a successful period in the early 1960s, the late 1970s and early 1980s, with some releases certified gold and platinum. He has remained a popular music, film, and television personality at home in the UK as well as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Northern Europe and Asia, and retains a following in other countries. When not touring, he divides his time between Barbados and Portugal. In 2019, he relocated to New York. Cliff Richard was born Harry Rodger Webb on 14 October 1940 at King George's Hospital (now KGMU Hospital), Victoria Street, in Lucknow, which was then part of British India. His parents were Rodger Oscar Webb, a manager for a catering contractor that serviced the Indian Railways, and the former Dorothy Marie Dazely. His parents also spent some years in Howrah, West Bengal. After the violence of Direct Action Day, they decided to relocate to England permanently. Richard is primarily of English heritage, but he had one great-grandmother who was of half Welsh and half Spanish descent, born of a Spanish great-great-grandmother named Emiline Joseph Rebeiro.

Filmography

135 credits
Finders Keepers

Finders Keepers

Movie • 1966

Cliff

Cliff Richard: Castles in the Air

Cliff Richard: Castles in the Air

Movie • 2004

Self

Tour d'Eurovision

Tour d'Eurovision

Movie • 2005

Self

Kenny Everett - The Complete Naughty Bits

Kenny Everett - The Complete Naughty Bits

Movie • 2004

Self

Summer Holiday

Summer Holiday

Movie • 1963

Don

Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace

Party at the Palace: The Queen's Concerts, Buckingham Palace

Movie • 2002

Self - Performer 'Living Doll'

Live Aid

Live Aid

Movie • 1985

Self

The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth

The Best British Rock Concert of All Time: Live at Knebworth

Movie • 2010

Self

Cliff Richard From a Distance: The Event

Cliff Richard From a Distance: The Event

Movie • 2009

Self

Cliff Richard: The Great 80 Tour - Live From the Royal Albert Hall

Cliff Richard: The Great 80 Tour - Live From the Royal Albert Hall

Movie • 2021

Self

Cliff and the Shadows: The Final Reunion

Cliff and the Shadows: The Final Reunion

Movie • 2009

Self - vocals

Cliff Richard: Bold As Brass

Cliff Richard: Bold As Brass

Movie • 2010

Self

The BRITs at 40

The BRITs at 40

Movie • 2020

Self

The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012

The Diamond Jubilee Concert 2012

Movie • 2012

Self - Performer

Blue Suede Shoes

Blue Suede Shoes

Movie • 1980

Self (archive footage)

Expresso Bongo

Expresso Bongo

Movie • 1959

Bert Rudge / Bongo Herbert

The Young Ones

The Young Ones

Movie • 1961

Nicholas 'Nicky' Black

Hank Marvin: Hank Plays Live

Hank Marvin: Hank Plays Live

Movie • 2004

Self - Guest Appearance

It Started with Swap Shop

It Started with Swap Shop

Movie • 2006

Self (voice)

Run For Your Wife

Run For Your Wife

Movie • 2012

Busker

Take Me High

Take Me High

Movie • 1973

Tim Matthews

Two a Penny

Two a Penny

Movie • 1967

Jamie Hopkins

Serious Charge

Serious Charge

Movie • 1959

Curley Thompson

Wonderful Life

Wonderful Life

Movie • 1964

Johnnie

Cliff Richard Still Reelin' and A-Rockin' - Live at Sydney Opera House

Cliff Richard Still Reelin' and A-Rockin' - Live at Sydney Opera House

Movie • 2013

Self

Heathcliff

Heathcliff

Movie • 1999

Heathcliff

An Audience with Cliff Richard

An Audience with Cliff Richard

Movie • 1999

Self

Cliff Richard: The Blue Sapphire Tour 2023

Cliff Richard: The Blue Sapphire Tour 2023

Movie • 2023

Self

Cliff Richard: The Countdown Concert

Cliff Richard: The Countdown Concert

Movie • 2003

Self

The Accused: National Treasures on Trial

The Accused: National Treasures on Trial

Movie • 2022

Self

His Land

His Land

Movie • 1970

Self

Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore

Andrew Lloyd Webber: The Premiere Collection Encore

Movie • 1992

Self

Classic Albums: The Chirping Crickets

Classic Albums: The Chirping Crickets

Movie • 2019

Self

Cliff at Christmas

Cliff at Christmas

Movie • 2022

Self

If These Walls Could Sing

If These Walls Could Sing

Movie • 2022

Self

Sir Cliff Richard at the BBC

Sir Cliff Richard at the BBC

Movie • 2020

Self (archive footage)

A Matter of Diamonds

A Matter of Diamonds

Movie • 1968

Riley Walker

Our Cilla

Our Cilla

Movie • 2015

Self

The Grand Knockout Tournament

The Grand Knockout Tournament

Movie • 1987

Self

Best Of Night Of The Proms vol. 6

Best Of Night Of The Proms vol. 6

Movie • 2013

Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights

Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights

Movie • 1980

Self

Silver Clef Award Winners Show, Knebworth Park

Silver Clef Award Winners Show, Knebworth Park

Movie • 1990

Self

Doctor Who: Origins

Doctor Who: Origins

Movie • 2006

Self (archive footage)

Thunderbirds Are GO

Thunderbirds Are GO

Movie • 1966

Cliff Richard Jr. (voice)

Live Aid

Live Aid

Movie • 2004

Self

Rock 'n' Roll Britannia

Rock 'n' Roll Britannia

Movie • 2013

Self

Best of Night of the Proms Vol.  5

Best of Night of the Proms Vol. 5

Movie • 2011

Self

Pop Charts Britannia: 60 Years of the Top 10

Pop Charts Britannia: 60 Years of the Top 10

Movie • 2012

Self

The Nation's Favourite Bee Gees Song

The Nation's Favourite Bee Gees Song

Movie • 2011

Self

Eurovision: Your Country Needs Blue

Eurovision: Your Country Needs Blue

Movie • 2011

Self

Cliff Richard and The Shadows - The Final Reunion

Cliff Richard and The Shadows - The Final Reunion

Movie • 2009

Self

Farewell, FAB 208

Farewell, FAB 208

Movie • 1992

The Downing Street Patient

The Downing Street Patient

Movie • 2004

Self (archive footage)

An Audience with Des O'Connor

An Audience with Des O'Connor

Movie • 2001

Self

Året var 1961

Året var 1961

Movie • 2011

Self (archive footage)

Rhythm 'n' Greens

Rhythm 'n' Greens

Movie • 1964

King Canute (uncredited)

... Sings Dylan II

... Sings Dylan II

Movie • 2015

Self (archive footage)

Cliff Richard: The Hitlist Live

Cliff Richard: The Hitlist Live

Movie • 1994

Self

The Case

The Case

Movie • 1972

Cliff

Phantom of the Opera: Behind the Mask

Phantom of the Opera: Behind the Mask

Movie • 2006

Self

Cliff Richard 60th Anniversary Concert

Cliff Richard 60th Anniversary Concert

Movie • 2018

Bottom Mindless Violence

Bottom Mindless Violence

Movie • 2004

Himself (archive footage)

Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?

Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?

Movie • 1973

Queen: Champions of the World

Queen: Champions of the World

Movie • 1995

Self

Eurovision Songfestival Hits

Eurovision Songfestival Hits

Movie • 2003

Congratulations: 50 Years Of The Eurovision Song Contest (1956 - 1980)

Congratulations: 50 Years Of The Eurovision Song Contest (1956 - 1980)

Movie

Top Gear

Top Gear

TV • 2002

Self

The One Show

The One Show

TV • 2006

Self - Guest

Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops

TV • 1964

Self

The Kenny Everett Video Show

The Kenny Everett Video Show

TV • 1978

Self

Europarty

Europarty

TV • 1967

Self

The Terry and Gaby Show

The Terry and Gaby Show

TV • 2003

Self

Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway

TV • 2002

Self

The Paul O'Grady Show

The Paul O'Grady Show

TV • 2004

Self

Solid Gold

Solid Gold

TV • 1980

Self

Oh Boy!

Oh Boy!

TV • 1958

Self

Omnibus Presents Comic Relief

Omnibus Presents Comic Relief

TV • 1986

Self

CelebAir

CelebAir

TV • 2008

Self

The Frank Skinner Show

The Frank Skinner Show

TV • 1995

Self

Movie Connections

Movie Connections

TV • 2007

Self

The Alan Titchmarsh Show

The Alan Titchmarsh Show

TV • 2007

Self

Seaside Special

Seaside Special

TV • 1975

Self

The Queen at 80

The Queen at 80

TV • 2006

Self

The Story of Light Entertainment

The Story of Light Entertainment

TV • 2006

Self

The Liberace Show

The Liberace Show

TV • 1952

Self

OK! TV

OK! TV

TV • 2011

Self

Jukebox Heroes

Jukebox Heroes

TV • 2001

Self

Zona+

Zona+

TV • 1994

Próprio

Blair: The Inside Story

Blair: The Inside Story

TV • 2007

Self

Cilla

Cilla

TV • 1968

Self

Wetten, dass..?

Wetten, dass..?

TV • 1981

Self

Disco

Disco

TV • 1971

Self

The Cannon & Ball Show

The Cannon & Ball Show

TV • 1979

Self

The Dame Edna Experience

The Dame Edna Experience

TV • 1987

Self

The One Show

The One Show

TV • 2006

Self

Hallo, wie geht's

Hallo, wie geht's

TV • 1991

Self

An Audience with...

An Audience with...

TV • 1978

Self

The Ed Sullivan Show

The Ed Sullivan Show

TV • 1948

Self

Wogan

Wogan

TV • 1982

Self

Terry Wogan's Friday Night

Terry Wogan's Friday Night

TV • 1992

Self

Einer wird gewinnen

Einer wird gewinnen

TV • 1964

Self

Die Mike Krüger Show

Die Mike Krüger Show

TV • 1991

Self

Flitterabend

Flitterabend

TV • 1988

Self - Singer

Top of the Pops

Top of the Pops

TV • 1964

Going Live!

Going Live!

TV • 1987

Self

Musikladen

Musikladen

TV • 1972

Self

Verstehen Sie Spaß?

Verstehen Sie Spaß?

TV • 1980

Self

Musik aus Studio B

Musik aus Studio B

TV • 1961

Self

Musik liegt in der Luft

Musik liegt in der Luft

TV • 1991

Self - Singer

Starparade

Starparade

TV • 1968

Self

Goldener Löwe

Goldener Löwe

TV • 1984

Self

The Graham Norton Show

The Graham Norton Show

TV • 2007

Self

Die ultimative Chartshow

Die ultimative Chartshow

TV • 2003

Self

Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel

Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel

TV • 2004

Self

Der goldene Schuß

Der goldene Schuß

TV • 1964

Self

Système 2

Système 2

TV • 1975

Self

Classic Albums

Classic Albums

TV • 1997

Self

Champs-Elysées

Champs-Elysées

TV • 1982

Self

Eurovision Song Contest

Eurovision Song Contest

TV • 1956

Self - United Kingdom Entry

DAS!

DAS!

TV • 1991

Self

Starnacht am Wörthersee

Starnacht am Wörthersee

TV • 2000

Self

Plattenküche

Plattenküche

TV • 1976

Self

Die Drehscheibe

Die Drehscheibe

TV • 1964

Self

Astro-Show

Astro-Show

TV • 1981

self

Soeben eingetroffen

Soeben eingetroffen

TV • 1965

self

Brisant

Brisant

TV • 1994

Self

Simon Schama's Story of Us

Simon Schama's Story of Us

TV • 2025

Self - Interviewed Guest

Loose Women

Loose Women

TV • 1999

Self

Sacrée Soirée

Sacrée Soirée

TV • 1987

Self

Dansk Melodi Grand Prix

Dansk Melodi Grand Prix

TV • 1978

Self

Obs 86 - Show

Obs 86 - Show

TV • 1986

Sig selv

The Story of Musicals

The Story of Musicals

TV • 2012

Self

The Mike Douglas Show

The Mike Douglas Show

TV • 1961

Self

Unsere kleine Show - Musik zur blauen Stunde

Unsere kleine Show - Musik zur blauen Stunde

TV • 1969

Self

The BRIT Awards

The BRIT Awards

TV • 1977

Self