Who played the role of Nero in the 1951 film "Quo Vadis"?

The famed actor who played the role of Nero in the 1951 film "Quo Vadis" was Peter Ustinov (1921 – 2004). In the film by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the story is set in ancient Rome during the final years of Emperor Nero's reign, 64–68 AD. In July of 64 A.D., a great fire ravaged Rome for 6 days, destroying 70% of the city and leaving over half of the population homeless. According to history, Nero (a decadent and unpopular emperor of Rome) played music while the city of Rome burned. For portraying the mad Roman Emperor Nero in "Quo Vadis", Ustinov received his 1st Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

This film is considered an epic historical drama about General Marcus Vinicius (Robert Taylor). He discovers that a new religion has taken hold in Rome: Christianity. When Vinicius encounters Lygia (Deborah Kerr), a follower of the strange religion, he quickly becomes smitten and tries to win her affections. Lygia is reluctant due to their differing beliefs. Complicating matters is the crazed Emperor Nero (Ustinov), who blames the Christians for his own burning of Rome, beginning a wave of persecution.

By using Ustinov (Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov CBE FRSA) in the movie, it proved very astute. During his life, he was a two-time Academy Award-winning actor, a director, writer, journalist, comedian, humorist, radio broadcaster, and TV presenter. He wrote and directed many big stage plays and led numerous international theatrical productions. At 82 he died of heart failure.