British actresses born in 1931
Here are 18 famous actresses from United Kingdom were born in 1931:
June Bland
June Bland (June 2, 1931-) is a British actor.
She is best known for her work on British television, including appearances on popular series such as "Doctor Who," "Coronation Street," and "Emmerdale." Bland began her career in the 1950s, performing in various stage productions before transitioning to television in the 1960s. In addition to her acting career, she has also worked as a writer and director for both stage and television productions. Over the course of her career, Bland has been recognized for her contributions to British culture, and she was awarded an Order of the British Empire in 2001 for her services to drama.
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Alethea Charlton
Alethea Charlton (August 9, 1931 Middlesbrough-May 6, 1976 Chelsea) was a British actor.
She studied at Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama in London and began her acting career on stage in the 1950s. Charlton was known for her supporting roles in British films and television shows throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She had roles in the films "A Kind of Loving" (1962), "All Neat in Black Stockings" (1968), and "Four of the Apocalypse" (1975). Her television credits include appearances in "Doctor Who," "The Saint," "Z-Cars," and "The Avengers." Charlton was also a stage actor and performed in productions of "Hamlet" and "Twelfth Night." She died at the age of 44 from cancer.
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Yvonne Gilan
Yvonne Gilan (October 12, 1931 London-) is a British writer, actor and vocal coach. Her children are called A. A. Gill and Nicholas Gill.
Yvonne Gilan began her career as an actor, appearing in several British television shows and theater productions. She later shifted her focus to teaching acting and voice, becoming a renowned vocal coach in the United Kingdom. In addition to her work as a coach, Gilan is also an accomplished writer, having published several books on acting and voice. She has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), and has worked with a number of well-known actors and performers. Gilan's legacy in the world of acting and voice coaching is widely recognized and respected, and she continues to be an influential figure in the industry.
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Diana Dors
Diana Dors (October 23, 1931 Swindon-May 4, 1984 Windsor) also known as Diana Mary Fluck, Diana Mary Flick, diana_dors, Diana d'Ors, Dorsy, Miss Diana Dors, The Siren of Swindon, Hurricane in Mink or Diana Fluck was a British actor. Her children are called Mark Dawson, Jason Lake and Gary Dawson.
Dors began acting in films in the late 1940s and rose to fame in the 1950s as a blonde bombshell and sex symbol. She starred in several successful British films such as "Lady Godiva Rides Again" and "Yield to the Night". Dors was also known for her television work, appearing in shows such as "The Unforgettable Diana Dors" and "Queenie's Castle".
Despite her glamorous image, Dors was known for her down-to-earth personality and sense of humor. She was highly regarded by her co-stars and fans alike, and even received a BAFTA nomination for her role in "A Kid for Two Farthings". Dors unfortunately passed away at the age of 52 due to ovarian cancer, but her legacy as a beloved British actress continues to this day.
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Pat Heywood
Pat Heywood (August 1, 1931 Gretna Green-) also known as Patricia Heywood is a British actor. She has one child, Sarah Neville.
Pat Heywood began her acting career in the 1950s, starting with stage productions in London's West End. She then made her way to film and television, known for her roles in films such as The Nanny (1965) and The War Lord (1965). Heywood also appeared in many television series throughout her career, including The Avengers, Z-Cars, and Doctor Who. In addition to acting, she has worked as a drama teacher and director. Heywood was married to actor Laurence Payne from 1959 until his death in 2009.
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Paddi Edwards
Paddi Edwards (December 9, 1931 England-October 18, 1999 Encino) otherwise known as Paddy Edwards or Patti Edwards was a British actor and voice actor.
Edwards had a prolific career in the entertainment industry and was known for her distinctive raspy voice. She appeared in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions throughout her career, but is perhaps best known for her voice work in animated films. Edwards provided the voices for several memorable characters in Disney films, including Flotsam and Jetsam in "The Little Mermaid," the Gargoyle Laverne in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," and the singing busts in "The Haunted Mansion." She also lent her voice to a variety of other animated shows and films, including "Batman: The Animated Series" and "The Simpsons." Edwards passed away in 1999 at the age of 67.
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Jill Bennett
Jill Bennett (December 24, 1931 Penang-October 4, 1990 London) a.k.a. Nora Noel Jill Bennett or Adolf was a British actor.
She was known for her stage and film performances, such as her role in the film "The Nanny" (1965) opposite Bette Davis. Bennett trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before beginning her acting career in the 1950s. She appeared in numerous British television shows and films throughout her career, including "A for Andromeda" (1961) and "For Your Eyes Only" (1981). Bennett was also known for her tumultuous personal life, including her relationship with playwright John Osborne, whom she was married to for several years. She tragically took her own life in 1990.
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Susan Stephen
Susan Stephen (July 16, 1931 London-April 21, 2000 Sussex) also known as Susan Rennie Stephen or Susan Stephan was a British actor. She had four children, Nico Roeg, Luc Roeg, Waldo Roeg and Sholto J. Roeg.
Susan Stephen began her acting career in the 1950s, appearing in various television dramas and films. She is perhaps best known for her roles in the films "Four in the Morning" (1965) and "Don't Look Now" (1973), both of which were directed by her former husband Nicolas Roeg. Despite her success as an actress, she eventually retired from acting to focus on raising her children. Stephen was also known for her love of animals, particularly horses, and was an accomplished equestrian. She passed away at the age of 68 due to complications from cancer.
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Virginia McKenna
Virginia McKenna (June 7, 1931 Marylebone-) a.k.a. Virginia Anne McKenna, Virginia A. McKenna OBE or Virginia McKenna OBE is a British actor, composer, singer and author. Her child is called Bill Travers Jr..
Virginia McKenna is best known for her leading role in the film "Born Free" (1966), which tells the story of the conservationist George Adamson and his wife Joy, who raised and released an orphaned lion cub named Elsa into the wild. McKenna and her co-star and real-life husband, Bill Travers, who played George Adamson, became lifelong advocates for animal welfare and founded the Born Free Foundation in 1984. McKenna's other notable film credits include "Carve Her Name with Pride" (1958), "A Town Like Alice" (1956), and "Ring of Bright Water" (1969). She has also appeared on stage and television, and has published several books about her experiences in the film industry and her involvement in conservation efforts. In recognition of her contributions to the arts and animal welfare, McKenna was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2004.
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Claire Bloom
Claire Bloom (February 15, 1931 Finchley-) also known as Patricia Claire Blume, Claire Bloom CBE or Patricia Claire Bloom is a British actor. She has one child, Anna Steiger.
Claire Bloom made her stage debut at the age of 16 and went on to become a successful stage and film actress in both the UK and the US. She has appeared in numerous notable productions such as Richard III, Romeo and Juliet, and A Streetcar Named Desire on stage, as well as films such as Limelight, The Haunting and Crimes and Misdemeanors. In addition to her acting career, Bloom has also written several books including a memoir titled Leaving a Doll's House. Bloom was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2013 for her contributions to drama.
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Jan Holden
Jan Holden (May 9, 1931 Southport-October 11, 2005 London) a.k.a. Valerie Jeanne Wilkerson, Jack Holden or Jeanne Wilkinson was a British actor.
Holden began her acting career on the West End stage in the 1950s, appearing in productions such as "The Boy Friend" and "The Sound of Music." She also appeared in numerous television shows, including "Coronation Street" and "EastEnders."
In the 1970s, Holden became a noted voiceover artist, lending her voice to dozens of documentaries and commercials. She was also a lecturer and teacher, sharing her knowledge of acting with aspiring performers.
Holden continued to work in the entertainment industry until her death in 2005, at the age of 74. She was remembered by colleagues and fans alike for her talent, dedication, and passion for the craft of acting.
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Jennifer Jayne
Jennifer Jayne (November 14, 1931 Yorkshire-April 23, 2006 London) also known as Jay Fairbank, Jennifer Jane, Jennifer Jones or Jennifer Jayne Jones was a British actor.
She began her acting career in the 1950s and went on to appear in numerous television shows and films throughout her career, including "The Crawling Eye," "The Flesh and the Fiends," and "Village of the Damned." She also appeared on stage in productions such as "The Sound of Music" and "The Importance of Being Earnest." In addition to her acting work, Jayne was also a skilled singer and dancer. She retired from acting in the 1980s and went on to work as a cruise instructor. She passed away in 2006 at the age of 74.
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Ann Stephens
Ann Stephens (May 21, 1931 London-July 15, 1966 England) otherwise known as Anne Stephens or Stephens, Ann was a British actor.
She began her acting career on stage and later transitioned to film and television. Some of her notable film credits include "The Angel Who Pawned Her Harp" (1954) and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1955). Stephens also appeared in several television shows such as "The Benny Hill Show" and "The Adventures of Aggie." She was known for her talent as a singer and released several singles in the 1950s. Stephens tragically died in a car accident at the young age of 35 in 1966.
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Dana Wynter
Dana Wynter (June 8, 1931 Berlin-May 5, 2011 Ojai) otherwise known as Dagmar Winter, Hollywood's oasis of elegance or Dagmar Wynter was a British actor and writer. She had one child, Mark Ragan Bautzer.
Dana Wynter grew up in England and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She began her acting career on stage before making the transition to film. Wynter appeared in several notable films during the 1950s and 1960s, including "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," "Sink the Bismarck!," and "The List of Adrian Messenger."
Outside of acting, Wynter was also a writer and published a novel called "The Other Man" in the early 1970s. She was married twice, first to celebrity attorney Greg Bautzer and then to neurosurgeon Dr. S. Johnathan Douglas.
In her later years, Dana Wynter became involved in charity work and served as the honorary mayor of Ojai, California from 1995-1996. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 79.
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Vivian Pickles
Vivian Pickles (October 21, 1931 London-) is a British actor. She has one child, Harry Gostelow.
Vivian Pickles graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, before beginning her career in theatre. She landed her first major role in the acclaimed play "The Caretaker," written by Harold Pinter. Pickles later transitioned to film and television, making her debut in the 1969 film "Oh! What a Lovely War."
Throughout her career, Pickles has appeared in numerous films and television shows including "Bleak Moments," "Harold and Maude," and "The Elephant Man." She is best known for her role as Mrs. Grose in the 1961 film adaptation of "The Innocents."
In addition to acting, Pickles is also a skilled painter and printmaker. Her artwork has been featured in numerous exhibitions around the world. Throughout her career, Vivian Pickles has received critical acclaim and recognition for her contributions to the arts.
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Maureen Connell
Maureen Connell (August 2, 1931 Nairobi-) is a British actor and author. She has two children, Michael Guillermin and Michelle Guillermin.
Maureen Connell began her acting career in the 1950s, performing on stage and screen. Some of her most notable roles have been in films like "The Battle of the River Plate" (1956), "The Baroness and the Butler" (1958), and "The Silent Enemy" (1958). In addition to acting, Connell has also worked as a writer, penning several books including "Working with Children in the Theatre" and "Children and Drama". She has also worked as a drama teacher and has taught drama to children and young actors. Throughout her career, Connell has been a dedicated advocate for the arts and an inspiring figure to aspiring actors and writers.
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Josephine Tewson
Josephine Tewson (February 26, 1931 Hampstead-) also known as Jo is a British actor.
She started her career appearing on stage, notably in the West End production of the musical "Robert and Elizabeth". Josephine Tewson is best known for her appearances in several British sitcoms, including "Keeping Up Appearances" as Elizabeth Warden and "Last of the Summer Wine" as Miss Davenport. She has also made guest appearances on numerous TV series throughout her career. In addition to television, Tewson has also appeared in films such as "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005) and "The Curse of the Were-Rabbit" (2005). Josephine Tewson continues to act in her 90s, with her most recent appearance being in the sitcom "Still Open All Hours" which began airing in 2018.
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June Thorburn
June Thorburn (June 8, 1931 British Raj-November 4, 1967 Blackdown, West Sussex) also known as Tricia Thubron, Trisha Thubron or Patricia June Thubron Smith was a British actor. She had two children, Heather-Louise June Bryse-Harvey and Inger-Sheleen Christabel Smith-Petersen.
Thorburn began her acting career in the 1950s and quickly made a name for herself in British cinema. She appeared in several notable films including "The Prince and the Showgirl" (1957) alongside Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier, and "Further Up the Creek" (1958). However, her most famous role came in 1960 when she starred in the critically acclaimed film "The Day the Earth Caught Fire".
Despite her success on screen, Thorburn struggled with personal difficulties including a tumultuous marriage and battles with depression. Tragically, she took her own life in 1967 at the age of 36. Despite her short career, June Thorburn's talent and contributions to British cinema continue to be remembered and celebrated today.
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