Alec Guinness was an English actor who is best known for his role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy. He was also a highly acclaimed stage and film actor, winning an Academy Award for his performance in the 1957 film 'The Bridge on the River Kwai'. Guinness was knighted in 1959 for his services to drama and was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1977. He was also known for his roles in films such as 'Kind Hearts and Coronets' and 'Lawrence of Arabia'.