British actresses died in 1981
Here are 8 famous actresses from United Kingdom died in 1981:
Brenda De Banzie
Brenda De Banzie (July 28, 1909 Manchester-March 5, 1981 Haywards Heath) a.k.a. Brenda DeBanza, Brenda Doreen Mingnon De Banzie, Brenda D. M. De Banzie or Brenda de Banzie was a British actor. She had one child, Antony Marsh.
De Banzie began her acting career in 1939 with a small role in the British film "Jamaica Inn". She went on to appear in several notable films, including "The Entertainer" (1960) and "The Pink Panther" (1963). However, she is perhaps best known for her role as the strict and domineering Mrs. Wilkinson in the musical film "Billy Elliot" (2000).
De Banzie also had a successful stage career, appearing in productions of "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "The School for Scandal" among others. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in the original Broadway production of "A Taste of Honey" in 1961.
Throughout her career, De Banzie was known for her strong character portrayals and her ability to command the screen or stage with her presence. She passed away in 1981 at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy as one of Britain's most esteemed actors.
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Isobel Elsom
Isobel Elsom (March 16, 1893 Cambridge-January 12, 1981 Woodland Hills) a.k.a. Isobel Jeannette Reed, Isabella Reed, Isabel Elsom, Isobel Harbord or Isobel Harbold was a British actor.
Elsom began her acting career on stage in London and made her film debut in 1917. She appeared in several British films during the silent era, and later moved to Hollywood in the late 1920s, where she became a prolific character actress. Elsom appeared in over 70 films, including "David Copperfield" (1935), "My Fair Lady" (1964), and "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" (1971). She made several appearances on television, including in the hit series "Peyton Place" in the 1960s. Elsom continued acting well into her late 80s, and passed away in 1981 at the age of 87.
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Clelia Matania
Clelia Matania (September 18, 1918 London-October 13, 1981 Rome) also known as Clelia Mattania was a British actor and voice actor.
Matania began her career in the 1930s, working as a voice actor for Italian films. She later appeared in over 120 films, working with notable directors such as Federico Fellini and Vittorio De Sica. Matania was known for her versatility and played a wide range of characters, from comedic roles to dramatic ones. In addition to her work in film, she also acted in stage productions and on television. Matania received critical acclaim throughout her career and was awarded the Best Supporting Actress award at the 1951 Cannes Film Festival for her role in "Miracle in Milan." She passed away in Rome at the age of 63.
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Jessie Matthews
Jessie Matthews (March 11, 1907 Soho-August 19, 1981 Eastcote) a.k.a. Jessie Margaret Matthews, The Dancing Divinity, The English Ginger Rogers, Jessie Matthews, OBE or Matthews, Jessie was a British actor, dancer and singer. She had one child, Catherine Hale-Monro.
Jessie Matthews was born in Soho, London and began her career in show business at a young age, performing in vaudeville shows and music hall acts. She rose to fame in the 1920s and 1930s as a star of stage and screen, known for her beautiful singing voice and graceful dancing. Matthews appeared in numerous films, including "Evergreen" (1934) and "First a Girl" (1935), and also starred in several successful stage productions.
Her success in the entertainment industry made her a popular and sought-after performer of her time. Known for her charm and captivating performances, she often drew comparisons to American actress and dancer Ginger Rogers. Matthews was also a trailblazer, breaking barriers by becoming one of the first female entertainers to be awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire).
Throughout her career, Matthews had a number of romantic relationships and ultimately married her second husband, the director and choreographer Sonnie Hale. They had one daughter together, Catherine Hale-Monro. Despite her success, Matthews struggled with personal demons, including alcoholism, and retired from performing in the 1950s. She lived out her later years in relative obscurity, until her death in Eastcote in 1981. Despite this, she remains a beloved icon of British entertainment history.
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Joan Benham
Joan Benham (May 17, 1918 London-June 13, 1981 Westminster) also known as Joan Olive Benham was a British actor.
She is best known for her role as Lady Jane Felsham in the British TV series "Upstairs, Downstairs". Benham started her acting career in the 1940s and appeared in numerous stage productions, films, and television shows. Apart from "Upstairs, Downstairs", she also appeared in popular dramas like "Doctor Who", "The Forsyte Saga" and "Inspector Morse". Benham was married to actor Raf de la Torre and they had one daughter together. She continued to act until the end of her life and passed away at the age of 63 due to cancer.
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Totti Truman Taylor
Totti Truman Taylor (September 7, 1915 London-March 5, 1981 Denville Hall) a.k.a. Totti Truman-Taylor or Dorothy Leah Pedley was a British actor.
Taylor began acting in the 1940s and quickly gained recognition for her performances on stage and screen. She appeared in numerous films, including the classic British comedy "The Lavender Hill Mob" (1951), as well as TV shows such as "The Benny Hill Show" and "No, Honestly." In addition to her acting career, Taylor was an accomplished theatre director and producer, having directed productions of works by Shakespeare, Samuel Beckett, and Harold Pinter among others. She was also known for her philanthropic work, supporting various charities and causes throughout her life.
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Mae Bacon
Mae Bacon (April 3, 1897 Ilkley-June 3, 1981) a.k.a. Mai Bacon was a British actor.
She was born in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England and began her career as a performer in the 1920s, appearing in various stage productions before transitioning to film. Mai appeared in several films and TV series throughout her career, including "The Pickwick Papers" (1952), "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1955), and "The Spy Who Loved Me" (1977). She was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and performed in some of their productions. Despite being a prolific performer, Mai Bacon is often overlooked in the annals of British acting history. She passed away in 1981 in Farnborough, Hampshire, England at the age of 84.
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Rita Webb
Rita Webb (February 25, 1904 Willesden-August 30, 1981 Westminster) also known as Olive Webb or Podge was a British actor.
She appeared in over 70 films and television shows, including "The Punch and Judy Man" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". Webb was known for her comedic roles, often playing eccentric or larger-than-life characters. She was also a regular performer in the Carry On film series, appearing in six films. In addition to her work in film and television, Webb also had a successful stage career, appearing in numerous productions in London's West End. Despite suffering from arthritis, she continued to work well into her 70s.
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