British actresses born in 1926
Here are 11 famous actresses from United Kingdom were born in 1926:
Katie Boyle
Katie Boyle (May 29, 1926 Florence-) otherwise known as Caterina Irene Elena Maria Imperiali di Francavilla, Lady Saunders, Catherine Boyle, Caterina Irene Elena Maria Imperiali de Principi di Francavilla, Catherine Boyl or Catherine Carleton is a British presenter and actor.
She was born to an Italian father and an English mother and later became a British citizen. Katie Boyle began her career in the entertainment industry as a model and also worked as a dancer and actress. She gained popularity as a television host in the 1950s and 60s, presenting shows such as "What's My Line?" and "Double Your Money."
Boyle also had a successful career as an actor, appearing in several movies and television series, including "The Saint" and "The Avengers." She even had a small role in the James Bond film "Casino Royale."
In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Katie Boyle was also a philanthropist and supported several charitable causes. She was appointed a Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1996 for her charitable work.
Katie Boyle passed away in March 2018 at the age of 91.
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Jackie Forster
Jackie Forster (November 6, 1926 Islington-October 10, 1998 London) otherwise known as Jacqueline Mackenzie, Jackie Forster or Jacqueline Moir Mackenzie was a British presenter, actor and journalist.
Forster started her career in radio broadcasting, working as a presenter for the British Forces Broadcasting Service during World War II. After the war, she moved into television, hosting a variety of programs including the popular daytime show "Houseparty". She was also an accomplished stage actress, performing in productions such as "The Sound of Music" and "The Vagina Monologues".
Forster was a pioneering figure in the British LGBT community, publicly coming out as a lesbian in the late 1960s. She became a prominent activist and writer, advocating for LGBT rights and co-founding the Campaign for Homosexual Equality in 1964.
In addition to her work in entertainment and activism, Forster was a respected journalist and published several books, including an autobiography entitled "Forbidden Lives" which detailed her experience as a lesbian in mid-20th century Britain.
Forster passed away in 1998 after a battle with cancer. She is remembered as a fearless advocate for social justice and a trailblazer for LGBT rights in the UK.
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Zena Marshall
Zena Marshall (January 1, 1926 Nairobi-July 10, 2009 London) a.k.a. Zena Moyra Marshall was a British actor.
She was best known for her roles in several iconic James Bond films. Marshall played the role of Miss Taro in the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962). She also appeared as Magda in From Russia with Love (1963). Marshall had a successful career in both film and television, appearing in a variety of genres including dramas, comedies, and crime thrillers. Prior to her acting career, Marshall worked as a model and was featured in Vogue magazine. She passed away in 2009 at the age of 83.
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Gillian Lynne
Gillian Lynne (February 20, 1926 Bromley-) also known as Gillian Barbara Lynne, Gillian Barbara Pyrke, Gillian Barbara Lynne, CBE or Gillian Lyne is a British choreographer, theatre director, actor, dancer, television director and ballet dancer.
She is known for her work on some of the most iconic shows in West End and Broadway history, including Cats and The Phantom of the Opera. Lynne began her career as a ballerina, but later transitioned to choreography and directing. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including two Tony Awards and an Olivier Award. Lynne was also appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1997 for her services to dance and musical theatre. In addition to her work in the performing arts, Lynne was also a bestselling author, writing several books, including her autobiography "A Dancer in Wartime". Despite her passing in 2018, Lynne's work and influence continue to shape and inspire the world of dance and theatre.
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Hazel Court
Hazel Court (February 10, 1926 The Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield-April 15, 2008 South Lake Tahoe) also known as Queen of Scream was a British actor, painter and sculptor. She had three children, Sally Walsh, Courtney Taylor and Jonathan Taylor.
Hazel Court began her acting career in the late 1940s, and appeared in a number of British films throughout the 1950s and 60s, including "Doctor Blood's Coffin" (1961), "The Curse of Frankenstein" (1957), and "The Masque of the Red Death" (1964). She was known for her roles in horror films, and became known as the "Queen of Scream".
Aside from acting, Court was also a talented painter and sculptor. She studied at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London before pursuing a career in acting. In the 1970s, Court moved to California with her husband, and continued to work in film and television. Later in life, she returned to her passion for art, and had several exhibitions of her work.
Court passed away in 2008 at the age of 82. She remains a beloved figure in the horror film genre, and is remembered for her talent, beauty, and the unforgettable performances she gave on screen.
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Rona Anderson
Rona Anderson (August 3, 1926 Edinburgh-July 23, 2013 Hampstead) was a British actor. Her children are called Graham Jackson and Roddy Jackson.
Rona Anderson trained at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow before beginning her career on stage as a teenager. She performed in numerous productions in Glasgow, including "Pygmalion" and "The Importance of Being Earnest", before moving to London in the late 1940s.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Anderson appeared in a number of British films and television shows, including "Riders in the Sky", "The Girl on the Boat", and "The Saint". She continued to act in both film and television throughout the 1970s, and also appeared in stage productions in London's West End.
After retiring from acting in the 1980s, Anderson focused on raising her two sons and working as a volunteer for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. She remained a beloved figure in the British entertainment industry until her death in 2013 at the age of 86.
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Delphi Lawrence
Delphi Lawrence (March 23, 1926 Hertfordshire-April 11, 2002 Northport) also known as Delphi Enaver was a British actor.
Lawrence began her acting career in the late 1940s and appeared in numerous British films throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She was known for her roles in the films "The Importance of Being Earnest" (1952), "Gideon's Day" (1958), and "The Scapegoat" (1959).
In addition to her film work, Lawrence had a successful stage career in both the UK and the US. She also appeared on television in popular shows such as "The Avengers" and "The Saint".
Later in life, Lawrence moved to the United States where she continued to act and also worked as a drama teacher. She passed away in 2002 at the age of 76 in Northport, New York.
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Genine Graham
Genine Graham (December 9, 1926 London-May 11, 1997 London) also known as Genie Graham was a British actor.
She began her career in the 1940s and became known for her roles in British film and television productions. Graham appeared in popular shows such as "Dixon of Dock Green" and "The Onedin Line". She also received critical acclaim for her performances in films such as "The Deep Blue Sea" and "The Day the Earth Caught Fire". Graham was a versatile actress who could easily transition between dramatic and comedic roles. In addition to her acting career, she was also a skilled painter and her artwork was exhibited in several galleries. Despite being a talented actress, she often faced typecasting and struggled to find substantial roles in her later years. Graham passed away in 1997 at the age of 70.
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Patricia Plunkett
Patricia Plunkett (December 17, 1926 Streatham-October 13, 1974 London) also known as Patricia Ruth Plunkett was a British actor.
Born in Streatham, London in 1926, Patricia Plunkett began her acting career in the 1940s, initially performing on stage before moving on to work in television and film. She appeared in numerous TV dramas and series, including "The Avengers", "The Saint", and "Z Cars". Her film roles include "Lust for Life" (1956) and "Room at the Top" (1959). In addition to her work as an actor, Plunkett was also a writer and journalist, contributing articles to various magazines and newspapers throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Despite her talent and success in the industry, Plunkett's career was unfortunately cut short when she passed away from cancer in London in 1974 at the age of 47.
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Queenie Watts
Queenie Watts (July 21, 1926 London-January 25, 1980 London) was a British actor, singer and businessperson.
Born Ethel Gabriel Watts, she began her career as a child performer, singing and dancing in theatre productions in London's East End. Watts later went on to have a successful career as a cabaret singer and appeared in several films and TV shows, including "Coronation Street" and "The Avengers". She was known for her distinctive Cockney accent and her charismatic on-screen presence.
In addition to her acting and singing career, Watts was also a successful entrepreneur. She owned several businesses in London, including a nightclub and a coffee bar, which were popular gathering places for the city's creative and bohemian community.
Watts was married twice and had one daughter, actress Jane Hylton. She passed away in 1980 in London at the age of 53.
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Moira Shearer
Moira Shearer (January 17, 1926 Dunfermline-January 31, 2006 Oxford) also known as Moira Shearer King or Lady Kennedy was a British ballet dancer and actor. She had four children, Alastair Kennedy, Alisa Kennedy, Rachel Kennedy and Fiona Kennedy.
Moira Shearer rose to fame in the 1948 film "The Red Shoes" directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. She was trained at the Sadler's Wells Ballet School and danced with the company from 1942 to 1952. She later became a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, where she performed in many productions including "Sleeping Beauty" and "Swan Lake." In addition to her successful career in ballet, she also appeared in a number of films and TV shows, including "Peeping Tom" and "The Tales of Hoffmann." After retiring from dancing, Shearer became a television personality and arts commentator. She died in 2006 at the age of 80.
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