Nothing against Stewart and Jackson but aren’t they throwing around knighthood a little too loosely lately? I believe the “Order of Merit” is what is specifically designated for achievement in the arts, literature and other tasks of the sort. Knighthood used to be reserved for high civil service and direct service to the crown.
I think you are correct. Edward Woodward was awarded the OM. Sad to hear about his recent death.
“Nothing against Stewart and Jackson but aren’t they throwing around knighthood a little too loosely lately? I believe the “Order of Merit” is what is specifically designated for achievement in the arts, literature and other tasks of the sort. Knighthood used to be reserved for high civil service and direct service to the crown.”
Sir Ralph Richardson was made a Knight Bachelor in 1947.
Baron Olivier OM (aka Sir Lawrence Olivier) was made a Knight Bachelor in 1947, a life peer in 1970 (the first actor so honored) and was awarded the Order of Merit in 1981.
Sir John Gielgud OM, CH was made a Knight Bachelor in 1953, became a Companion of Honour in 1977, and was admitted to the Order of Merit in 1996.
Wikipedia has a list of actors who have been awarded knighthoods, though two Americans on the list (President Ronald Reagan, and Capt. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. USNR) received their “honorary” knighthoods for reasons not related to acting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Actors_awarded_British_knighthoods