Sir Alec GuinnessGuinness, Sir Al·ec /ˈælək/ (1914–2000) a British actor in films and in the theatre, whose best-known films are The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Star Wars (1977). He is also remembered for playing the part of George Smiley in the television film of John Le Carré's book about spies ( spy ), Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. He won an Academy Award and many other awards.