An objective lens actuator is provided which is equipped with an actuating mechanism for actuating an objective lens mounted on a lens holder of an apparatus adapted to write or read information into or from a recording medium. The actuator moves the lens and its holder in two directions, one direction being substantially parallel to a surface of the recording medium such that the objective lens makes turning motion about a pivot axis oriented substantially normal to the surface of the recording medium and the other direction being vertical, with the lens and holder sliding vertically relative to the pivot axis. The actuator is equipped with at least one parallel driving coil for driving the movable section in the parallel direction and with at least one parallel driving magnetic circuit for imparting a magnetic flux to the parallel driving magnetic circuit. The actuator is arranged such that both drive forces, which are generated as a result of respective actions of electric currents flowing through at least two faces of the parallel driving coil and magnetic fluxes of the parallel driving magnetic circuit, constitute turning forces for turning the objective lens about an axis in the same rotational direction, thereby enhancing driving precision.