Pathetic Facts

British actresses died in 1996

Here are 12 famous actresses from United Kingdom died in 1996:

Beryl Reid

Beryl Reid (June 17, 1919 Hereford-October 13, 1996 South Bucks) also known as Beryl Elizabeth Reid or Beryl Elizabeth Reid, OBE was a British actor and comedian.

She was born in Hereford, England and began her career in the 1940s as a stage performer. She later transitioned to television and film, appearing in popular films such as "The Killing of Sister George" and "Room at the Top." Reid was known for her quick wit and sharp tongue, which made her a favorite on British talk shows. She was also an accomplished stage actress, earning an Olivier Award for her performance in "The Killing of Sister George" and a Tony Award nomination for her work in the Broadway production of "Amen Corner." In 1987, Reid was awarded the OBE for her contribution to British entertainment.

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Brenda Bruce

Brenda Bruce (July 7, 1918 Manchester-February 19, 1996 London) was a British actor.

She trained at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) and went on to have a successful career in both stage and screen. Bruce was known for her versatility as an actress, playing a wide range of roles in different genres. She appeared in several classic plays and productions, including the premiere of Harold Pinter's "The Birthday Party" in 1958. On screen, she appeared in films such as "The VIPs" (1963) and "The Dresser" (1983), as well as several popular TV shows including "Z-Cars" and "The Forsyte Saga". Bruce was highly respected by her peers and was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for her contributions to drama in 1973.

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Winifred Shotter

Winifred Shotter (November 5, 1904 London-April 4, 1996 Redhill) also known as Winifred Florence Shotter was a British actor.

She was best known for her work in the theatre during the 1920s and 1930s, in particular for her roles in several successful West End productions, including "The Third Eye" and "Aren't We All?" Shotter also appeared in a number of films and television shows throughout her career, including "Twice Branded" (1936) and "The House of Eliott" (1991). After retiring from acting, she became a drama teacher and continued to inspire young performers until her death in 1996.

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Brenda Forbes

Brenda Forbes (January 14, 1909 London-September 11, 1996 New York City) also known as Brenda Evelyn Taylor was a British actor.

Forbes began her acting career in London's West End before transitioning to film and television. She appeared in several British films before moving to the United States in the 1940s. She continued her acting career in Hollywood, appearing in over 50 films throughout her career.

Forbes was known for her versatility as an actress, often playing supporting or character roles. She appeared in a wide range of genres, including drama, comedy, and horror. One of her most memorable roles was as Mrs. Danvers in the 1940 film adaptation of "Rebecca," directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Aside from her work on screen, Forbes also appeared on several television shows throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She continued to work in the entertainment industry until her retirement in the 1980s.

Forbes passed away in 1996 at the age of 87 in New York City.

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Pamela Mason

Pamela Mason (March 10, 1916 Westgate-on-Sea-June 29, 1996 Beverly Hills) otherwise known as Pamela Ostrer or Pamela Kellino was a British screenwriter, actor and author. She had two children, Portland Mason and Morgan Mason.

Pamela Mason began her acting career in the 1930s, appearing in various British films such as "The Mill on the Floss" and "The Beachcomber". She went on to become a successful Hollywood star in the 1940s, appearing in films such as "Forever and a Day" and "Five Graves to Cairo". In 1946, she married actor James Mason, and the couple appeared in several films together including "The Seventh Veil" and "Lady Possessed".

After their divorce in 1964, Pamela Mason focused on her screenwriting and authored several books. Her memoir, "The House That Died", chronicled her experiences of living in a haunted house in England with her ex-husband James Mason. She also co-wrote the screenplay for the film "Shadow of the Thin Man" and published a novel titled "Ravished Oasis". Pamela Mason will be remembered as a talented actor, writer and author.

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Evelyn Laye

Evelyn Laye (July 10, 1900 Bloomsbury-February 17, 1996 London) also known as Elsie Evelyn Lay or evelyn_laye was a British actor.

Laye was born to a theatrical family and began performing on stage at a young age. She made her West End debut as a chorus girl in 1915 and soon became a leading lady in musical comedies. She also appeared in several films and was one of the first British actresses to have a successful career in Hollywood. During World War II, she entertained troops and worked for the British Red Cross. Laye was known for her beautiful singing voice and appeared in numerous operettas and musicals throughout her career. She was also a novelist and wrote several books, including her autobiography, "And The World Goes Round". Laye was awarded the CBE in 1979 for her contributions to the performing arts.

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Colleen Clifford

Colleen Clifford (November 17, 1898 Taunton-April 7, 1996 Sydney) a.k.a. Eileen Margaret or Irene Margaret Blackford was a British actor.

She appeared in both film and theatre productions throughout her career, and was known for her versatility as well as her ability to adapt to different roles. Clifford began her acting career in England at the age of 18, and later moved to Australia, where she became a revered figure in the country's theatre scene.

Throughout her six-decade long career, Clifford appeared in a number of notable productions, including the plays "Blithe Spirit," "The Importance of Being Earnest," and "Hay Fever." She also appeared in several films, including "A Girl in Australia" and "The Breaking of the Drought." In addition to her acting work, Clifford was also an accomplished writer and director, and wrote several plays and television scripts.

Clifford was a beloved figure in the theatre community in Australia, and was known for her generosity and willingness to mentor younger actors. She was awarded the Order of Australia in 1987 for her contributions to the arts, and remained active in the industry until her death at the age of 97.

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Jane Baxter

Jane Baxter (September 9, 1909 Bremen-September 13, 1996 London) a.k.a. Feodora Forde, jane_baxter, Fedora Kathleen Alice Forde, Feodora or Feodora Kathleen Alice Forde was a British actor. She had one child, Sylvia Montgomery.

Baxter was born in Germany to a British father and a German mother. Her family later moved to England where she eventually started her career in the entertainment industry. She began her acting career in the 1920s and appeared in several silent films before transitioning into talkies. Baxter was known for her glamorous and sophisticated on-screen persona, often cast as the femme fatale or the love interest. Some of her notable film credits include "Sally Bishop" (1932), "Murder at the Vanities" (1934), and "The Saint in London" (1939). In addition to her film work, Baxter also had a successful stage career, appearing in numerous productions on both sides of the Atlantic. Later in life, she traveled extensively and wrote several cookbooks. Baxter passed away in London at the age of 87.

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Margaret Rawlings

Margaret Rawlings (June 5, 1906 Osaka-May 19, 1996 Wendover) was a British actor.

She began her career in the theater, performing in productions such as "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Cherry Orchard" in the 1920s and 1930s. Rawlings made her film debut in 1935 and went on to have a successful career both on stage and on screen. She is perhaps best known for her role as Miss Havisham in the 1946 film adaptation of Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations." Rawlings continued to act in films and on stage until her retirement in the 1970s. She was also a noted drama teacher and served as the President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) from 1962-1970.

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Joan Sterndale-Bennett

Joan Sterndale-Bennett (March 5, 1914 London-March 27, 1996 Hayling Island) also known as Joan Sterndale Bennet or Joan Sterndale Bennett was a British actor.

She was born to a family of actors, which included her father, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Sterndale-Bennett began her acting career in the 1930s and appeared in a variety of films and television programs throughout the 1950s and 1960s. She also had a successful career on stage, performing in numerous productions in London's West End and on Broadway.

In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Sterndale-Bennett was also a talented writer. She published several books, including collections of poetry and a memoir about her life in the theatre. She was known for her quick wit and sharp intelligence, and was a beloved figure in the British theatre community.

Sterndale-Bennett was married twice and had one son. She continued to work in the entertainment industry until shortly before her death in 1996 at the age of 82.

Ruby Murray

Ruby Murray (March 29, 1935 Belfast-December 17, 1996 Torquay) also known as Murray, Ruby was a British singer and actor.

She was one of the most popular singers in the UK in the 1950s, scoring a string of hits including "Softly, Softly," "Heartbeat," and "Evermore." She was signed to Columbia Records and became the first female artist to have five singles in the UK Top 20 at the same time. Murray also appeared in several films and television series, including the 1959 movie "Let's Rock" and the TV show "Ruby" in 1960. Despite her success, she retired from show business in 1959 at the age of 24 and later struggled with alcoholism.

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Patsy Smart

Patsy Smart (August 14, 1918 Chingford-February 6, 1996 Northwood, London) a.k.a. Patricia Doris Smart was a British actor.

Born and raised in Chingford, London, Patsy Smart showed an early interest in acting and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She began her career on stage, performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company and in various London theaters.

Smart later transitioned to film and television roles, where she became best known for her comedic performances. She appeared in several popular British sitcoms including "Dad's Army," "Hancock's Half Hour," and "Steptoe and Son." Smart also appeared in films such as "The Pink Panther Strikes Again" and "The Cracksman."

Despite her success in acting, Smart remained a private person throughout her life. She died in 1996 at the age of 77 in Northwood, London.

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