British actresses born in 1903
Here are 10 famous actresses from United Kingdom were born in 1903:
Mona Washbourne
Mona Washbourne (November 27, 1903 Birmingham-November 15, 1988 London) was a British actor and pianist.
She began her career as a pianist, but later turned to acting and became known for her stage performances in the West End. She made her film debut in 1948's "Escape" and went on to appear in numerous films and television shows throughout her career. Washbourne was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1961 for her role in the film "The Trials of Oscar Wilde". She also appeared in popular films such as "My Fair Lady" and "Billy Liar". In addition to her acting career, Washbourne was a well-respected acting coach and mentor to many young actors in the UK.
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Binnie Barnes
Binnie Barnes (May 25, 1903 Islington-July 27, 1998 Beverly Hills) also known as Gertrude Maude Barnes, Gittel Enoyce Barnes, Barnes Gittel Enoyce or Texas Binnie Barnes was a British actor. She had three children, Peter Frankovich, Mike Frankovich Jr. and Michelle Frankovich De Motte.
Binnie Barnes began her acting career in the 1920s and quickly rose to fame in both British and American cinema. She appeared in over 60 films throughout her career, often playing glamorous, seductive women. Some of her most notable roles include 'The Adventures of Robin Hood' (1938), 'The Three Musketeers' (1935), and 'The Private Life of Henry VIII' (1933), for which she received critical acclaim and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards.
In addition to her film work, Barnes was a regular on numerous television shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She also wrote a memoir, 'Binnie Barnes: An Autobiography,' in 1972. Barnes was married three times, including to film producer Mike Frankovich, with whom she had her three children. She remained active in Hollywood until her death in 1998 at the age of 95.
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Joan Standing
Joan Standing (June 21, 1903 Worcestershire-February 3, 1979 Houston) was a British actor.
She began her acting career in theater and made her stage debut in 1928. Standing acted in numerous stage productions in both England and the United States throughout her career. In the 1930s, she made a successful transition to film and appeared in dozens of movies. Standing's most notable film roles include parts in "The Great Ziegfeld" (1936), "The Devil-Doll" (1936), and "Camille" (1936).
During World War II, Standing left Britain and settled in the United States, where she continued to work as an actor in both film and television. In the 1950s, she appeared in a number of popular television shows, including "The Adventures of Robin Hood," "The Lone Ranger," and "Dragnet." In later years, Standing appeared in a number of stage productions, including "The Sound of Music" and "Lost in Yonkers."
Outside of her career in entertainment, Standing was an active member of the Women's Guild of the Houston Symphony, where she served as president. She was also a member of the Daughters of the British Empire and the Houston Junior League. Joan Standing passed away in 1979 in Houston, Texas, at the age of 75.
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Gladys Jennings
Gladys Jennings (August 5, 1903 Oxford-October 1, 1994 England) was a British actor.
She began her acting career in the 1920s, appearing in various stage productions in London's West End. In the 1930s, she transitioned to films and appeared in several British productions, including "The 39 Steps" (1935) and "The Ghost Goes West" (1935).
Jennings continued to act in films throughout the 1940s and 1950s, with notable roles in "The Importance of Being Earnest" (1952) and "The Story of Esther Costello" (1957). She also appeared on British television, most notably in the long-running series "Crossroads" in the 1960s and 1970s.
Aside from her acting career, Jennings was also a skilled painter and sculptor. Her works were exhibited in several London galleries in the 1950s and 1960s.
Jennings remained active in the arts community until her death in 1994 at the age of 91.
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Lilian Oldland
Lilian Oldland (February 7, 1903 Gloucester-October 1, 1984 Brighton) also known as Lilian Mary Oldland or Mary Newland was a British actor.
She began her career on stage before transitioning to film and television. Oldland appeared in several films throughout the 1930s and 40s, including "The Miniver Story" and "Meet Mr. Malcolm." In the 1950s and 60s, she became a familiar face on British television, appearing in numerous series such as "Dixon of Dock Green" and "Z-Cars." Oldland was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and acted in several of their productions. Additionally, she wrote several plays and novels under her pen name, Mary Newland. In her later years, Oldland was a dedicated animal rights activist and often donated to animal welfare organizations.
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Dorothy Mackaill
Dorothy Mackaill (March 4, 1903 Kingston upon Hull-August 12, 1990 Honolulu) also known as Miss Dorothy Mackaill was a British actor.
She began her acting career in silent films and transitioned into talkies during the 1920s and 1930s. Some of her notable films include "Love's Whirlpool" (1924), "The Barker" (1928), and "Safe in Hell" (1931). Mackaill was known for her beauty and talent, but she also faced personal struggles with alcoholism and a failed marriage. In the 1940s, she retired from acting and moved to Hawaii, where she became a successful businesswoman and owner of a hotel. Despite her success in business, Mackaill's contributions to film have not been forgotten and she is remembered as one of the leading ladies of the early Hollywood era.
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Helen Goss
Helen Goss (October 15, 1903 London-August 1, 1985 Essex) a.k.a. Helen Margaret Goss was a British actor.
She appeared in numerous British films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, including "Jamaica Inn" (1939) and "The Next of Kin" (1942). Goss also acted in theater productions, most notably in the West End production of "Night Must Fall" in 1937. In addition to her acting career, Goss was a leading figure in the British theatrical world and established the Associated British Artists agency, which represented many influential actors and directors of the time. Goss retired from acting in the 1950s and dedicated her time to supporting various charitable causes related to the arts.
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Barbara Couper
Barbara Couper (January 6, 1903 London-January 10, 1992 Woking) was a British actor and playwright.
She began her acting career on stage before transitioning to film and television. Couper appeared in several notable British films including "Jamaica Inn" (1939) and "The Seventh Veil" (1945), which earned her a BAFTA Award nomination for Best British Actress.
In addition to her acting work, Couper also wrote several plays including "A Letter from Paris" and "Mrs. Beautiful". She was a member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Council and was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1975 for her contributions to the arts.
Throughout her career, Couper also worked as a voice coach and helped train actors such as Alec Guinness and Margaret Lockwood. She continued to work in the theater and on television until her retirement in the early 1980s.
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Queenie Ashton
Queenie Ashton (November 16, 1903 London-October 21, 1999 Australia) otherwise known as Edith Muriel Ashton, Ethel Muriel Cover or Ethel Muriel Cover AM was a British actor and ballet dancer. Her children are called Janet Lawson and Tony Lawson.
Queenie Ashton began her career as a ballet dancer in London before moving to Australia in the 1920s. She then transitioned to acting and became a prominent stage and screen actress in Australia. Ashton appeared in numerous films, television shows, and theatrical productions throughout her career, earning critical acclaim for her performances in both comedic and dramatic roles. In addition to her successful acting career, Ashton was also a vocal supporter of the arts and was instrumental in the establishment of several theatre companies and cultural institutions in Australia. She was awarded the Order of Australia and the Centenary Medal for her contributions to the performing arts community in Australia.
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Joan Barry
Joan Barry (November 5, 1903 London-April 10, 1989 Marbella) a.k.a. Ina Florence Marshman Bell was a British actor. Her children are called Henrietta Joan Tiarks and Edward Henry Tiarks.
Joan Barry began her acting career in the 1920s in London and eventually made her way to Hollywood, where she starred in a number of films throughout the 1930s and 1940s. She is best known for her roles in films such as "The Man Who Reclaimed His Head" and "The Great Lover."
Barry was also known for her off-screen relationships, particularly with famous American writer and humorist, James Thurber. The two had a tumultuous affair that lasted for several years in the 1930s. Barry was also reportedly involved with actor John Wayne and director John Ford during her time in Hollywood.
Later in life, Barry retired from acting and moved to Marbella, Spain, where she lived until her death in 1989 at the age of 85. Despite being a well-known actress in her time, Joan Barry's legacy has largely been overshadowed by her scandalous personal life.
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