British actresses born in 1911
Here are 13 famous actresses from United Kingdom were born in 1911:
Merle Oberon
Merle Oberon (February 19, 1911 Mumbai-November 23, 1979 Malibu) a.k.a. Estelle Merle O'Brien Thompson, Estelle Merle Thompson, Obie, Queenie O'Brien, Queenie Thompson, Queenie, Estelle "Queenie" Thompson, "Queenie Thompson", "Obie", Princess Merle, Lady Korda, Estelle Merle Oberon or Istel Merle O 'Brian Thompson was a British actor and film producer. Her children are called Bruno Pagliai Jr. and Francesca Pagliai.
Merle Oberon was born in Mumbai, India, to a British mother and an Indian father. She moved to England as a child and began her acting career in British films in the 1920s.
In 1934, she made her Hollywood debut in the film "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and went on to become a popular leading lady, starring in films such as "Wuthering Heights," for which she received an Academy Award nomination, and "The Dark Angel."
Oberon was also involved in film production, co-founding the production company, Titan Productions, with her husband, Bruno Pagliai.
Her personal life was often the subject of media attention. She was married four times, including to filmmaker Alexander Korda and actor Robert Wolders. She also famously claimed to be born in Tasmania and to have been of European descent, rather than admitting her Indian heritage.
Oberon passed away in Malibu, California, in 1979.
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Rene Ray, Countess of Midleton
Rene Ray, Countess of Midleton (September 22, 1911 London-August 28, 1993 Jersey) also known as Rene Ray, Irene Creese or Renee Ray was a British actor and screenwriter.
She began her acting career at the age of 16 on stage and later appeared in her first film, "The Lodger," in 1927. Ray went on to act in over 30 films throughout her career, including "Girls Will Be Boys" (1934) and "Dead Men are Dangerous" (1939). Despite her success as an actor, Ray was also interested in screenwriting and wrote several screenplays, including "The Silver Fleet" (1943) and "Women Aren't Angels" (1943). She married the 9th Earl of Midleton in 1934 and became known as the Countess of Midleton, but they later divorced in 1957. After retiring from acting in the 1950s, Ray became a successful antique dealer in London.
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Constance Heaven
Constance Heaven (August 6, 1911 London-November 27, 1995) a.k.a. Constance Fecher was a British actor.
However, she is perhaps best known for her career as a writer. Her debut novel "The House of Kuragin" was published in 1959, and was met with critical acclaim. She went on to write over 30 novels, many of which were historical romances set in England or Ireland. Several of her novels were adapted for television, and she became a popular author in the romance genre. In addition to her writing career, Heaven was a renowned animal lover and advocate for animal welfare.
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Gabrielle Daye
Gabrielle Daye (October 2, 1911 Manchester-January 5, 2005 Essex) a.k.a. Gabrielle Laye or Gabrielle Day was a British actor.
Daye began her career on stage and later transitioned to film and television. She appeared in numerous films including "As You Like It" (1936), "The Saint in London" (1939), and "There's a Girl in My Soup" (1970). In addition to her acting career, Daye was also a skilled singer and appeared in several musicals on stage. She continued to act well into her 80s and was awarded an OBE for her contributions to the arts in 1995. Daye passed away at the age of 93 in her home in Essex.
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Elspeth March
Elspeth March (March 5, 1911 Kensington-April 5, 1999 London Borough of Hillingdon) also known as Elspeth Mackenzie or Jean Elspeth Mackenzie was a British actor. Her children are called Jamie Granger and Lindsey Granger.
Elspeth March began her acting career in the early 1930s and appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions throughout her career. Some of her notable roles include Lady Macbeth in a 1954 production of Macbeth, Queen Mary in the 1978 television series Edward & Mrs. Simpson, and Lady Drysdale in the 1960s television series The Beverly Hillbillies. She was also a regular performer on BBC Radio in the 1940s and 1950s, and provided the voice for Isabella in the classic 1970 film, The Railway Children. In addition to acting, March was a talented author and wrote several books, including a memoir titled, "I First Saw the Light." She was married to the actor Stewart Granger from 1948 to 1960.
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Mavis Villiers
Mavis Villiers (January 18, 1911 Sydney-March 1, 1976 Paddington) also known as Mavis Clare Cooney or Villiers was a British actor.
Her parents were Irish and she grew up in Australia where she began her career in theater. She moved to England in the mid-1930s and made her film debut in "Crime Unlimited" (1935). Villiers appeared in over 40 films, including "The Devil's in Love" (1933), "The Thief of Bagdad" (1940), and "Theatre of Death" (1967), as well as numerous television shows. She was also a talented stage actress, appearing in productions of "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "The Cocktail Party" among others. In addition to acting, Villiers was a proficient pianist and composer, and even wrote the theme music for a film in which she starred, "Below the Surface" (1938). She died of cancer at the age of 65.
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Gretchen Franklin
Gretchen Franklin (July 7, 1911 Covent Garden-July 11, 2005 Barnes, London) was a British actor.
She began her acting career in the 1930s, performing on stage and in radio dramas. Franklin gained popularity in the 1950s through her roles in British television shows such as "The Benny Hill Show" and "Hancock's Half Hour".
Franklin is best known for her role as Ethel Skinner in the long-running British soap opera "EastEnders". She played the character from 1985 until 2000, when her character was killed off. She was awarded a BAFTA nomination for her performance in "EastEnders".
Outside of acting, Franklin was an accomplished artist and exhibited her paintings in galleries around London. She was also a keen supporter of the charity Barnardo's, which provides support to vulnerable children in the UK.
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Kay Walsh
Kay Walsh (November 15, 1911 Chelsea-April 16, 2005 Chelsea) also known as Kathleen Walsh, Kathleen "Kay" Walsh or Kay was a British actor, dancer and screenwriter. Her child is called Gemma Jaques.
Kay Walsh began her career as a dancer and choreographer in London's West End. She then became an actor and appeared in films such as "Oliver Twist" (1948) and "The African Queen" (1951). She was also the screenwriter for the film "The Horse's Mouth" (1958), which was based on the novel by Joyce Cary.
In addition to her successful career in entertainment, Walsh had a passionate love life. She was married three times, first to actor Rex Harrison, then to David Lean (who directed her in "Brief Encounter"), and finally to Elliott Jaques. She had a daughter, Gemma, with Jaques.
Walsh continued to work in the entertainment industry until the 1980s, appearing on television shows such as "The Sweeney" and "Minder". She passed away in 2005 at the age of 93 in Chelsea, London.
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Betty Huntley-Wright
Betty Huntley-Wright (December 3, 1911 Hampstead-May 27, 1993 London Borough of Camden) also known as Betty Jessie Wright was a British actor. She had one child, Bridget McConnell.
Betty Huntley-Wright was born in Hampstead to Jessie and Edward Wright. She began her acting career in the 1930s and appeared in many stage plays and movies throughout her career. She was known for her roles in movies such as "The Great Game" and "The Dentist". Additionally, Betty was a regular performer on BBC Radio during the 1950s and 1960s, and she provided the voice for the title character in the radio series "Mrs. Dale's Diary". Betty was also a talented painter and produced many works of art throughout her lifetime. In 1963, she was honored with the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to drama. She died in the London Borough of Camden in 1993 at the age of 81.
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Thora Hird
Thora Hird (May 28, 1911 Morecambe-March 15, 2003 Brinsworth House) also known as Dame Thora Hird or Dame Thora Hird DBE was a British actor. She had one child, Janette Scott.
Thora Hird was one of the most celebrated actors of her time and had a career that spanned over seven decades. She made her stage debut in 1931 and later went on to make her film debut in the 1947 film "When We Are Married". Throughout her career, Thora acted in a variety of films, television shows, and stage productions, winning numerous awards and accolades for her performances, including three BAFTA awards and a BAFTA Fellowship.
Thora was also known for her charity work and served as a patron of several organizations, including the British Wireless for the Blind Fund, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and the British Red Cross. In recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry and her philanthropic efforts, Thora was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1993.
Despite her success, Thora remained down-to-earth and beloved by fans and colleagues alike for her warmth, humor, and generosity. She continued to act until her death in 2003 at the age of 91.
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Mary Hayley Bell
Mary Hayley Bell (January 22, 1911 Shanghai-December 1, 2005 Denham) also known as Lady Mills was a British novelist, writer, screenwriter, actor and playwright. She had three children, Hayley Mills, Juliet Mills and Jonathan Mills.
Mary Hayley Bell was born in Shanghai, China where her father was working as a telegraph engineer. She spent her childhood in various places like Hong Kong, and later in England where she pursued her education. Bell began her career as an actress performing in productions like "Hay Fever" by Noël Coward and the film "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" (1939). However, her true passion was writing and eventually she shifted her focus towards that field.
As a writer, Bell was best known for her play "Whistle Down the Wind", which was adapted into a famous film in 1961 starring her daughter, Hayley Mills. She was also the author of several other successful plays such as "Duet for Two Hands" and "The Uninvited Guest". Bell's other notable works include her novels "The Christmas Tree" (1969) and "The Desert Crop" (1974), as well as her screenplays for films such as "The Story of Esther Costello" (1957) and "Sky West and Crooked" (1966).
Bell's legacy in the film industry was further recognized when she was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1995 for her services to drama. She passed away in 2005 at the age of 94, leaving behind a lasting impact on the theatrical and cinematic worlds.
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Constance Shotter
Constance Shotter (October 5, 1911 London-November 27, 1989) otherwise known as Constance Ada Shotter was a British actor.
She began her acting career in the 1930s and performed in numerous plays and films throughout her career. Some of her notable theatre appearances include "The Critic" (1934), "The Rivals" (1935) and "The Importance of Being Earnest" (1961). She also appeared in several British films, including "Maria Marten, or The Murder at the Red Barn" (1935), "The Invisible Man Returns" (1940) and "The Wicked Lady" (1945).
Apart from acting, Shotter was also a prolific voice actor, lending her voice to several radio and TV programs. She also worked as a drama teacher and director, helping to train and mentor several aspiring actors.
Shotter was married to actor Anthony Hawtrey with whom she had a daughter. She continued to act until the 1970s, after which she retired from the entertainment industry. She passed away in 1989 at the age of 78.
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Veronica Rose
Veronica Rose (July 8, 1911 Edinburgh-January 25, 1968) was a British actor.
She began her career in the 1930s and appeared in many films throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Some of her notable roles include Mrs. Clemm in "The Fall of the House of Usher" (1949) and Mrs. Smith in "The Happy Family" (1952). She also appeared on stage, including in productions of "Hamlet" and "Macbeth". Outside of acting, Rose was an accomplished pianist and composer. She was married to actor Peter Haddon from 1933 until his death in 1964. Veronica Rose died in 1968 at the age of 56.
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