English movie stars born in 1900
Here are 5 famous actresses from England were born in 1900:
Marjorie Hume
Marjorie Hume (January 27, 1900 Great Yarmouth-November 5, 1976 Oxshott) a.k.a. Marjory Hume was an English actor.
Hume began her acting career on stage in the 1920s before transitioning to film in the 1930s. She appeared in various British films including "The Saint in London" (1939) and "A Canterbury Tale" (1944). Hume also had roles in television series such as "The Vise" and "No Hiding Place." She was known for playing authoritative roles such as police officers and judges. In addition to her acting career, Hume was also a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during World War II. She retired from acting in the early 1960s and lived the remainder of her life in Surrey.
Marjorie Hume was born in Great Yarmouth and spent her childhood in Norfolk. From a young age, she developed a passion for acting and pursued it with determination. She began her career on the stage in London's West End during the 1920s, where she became known for her expressive performances and commanding presence. In the 1930s, Hume made the transition to film and quickly found success as a character actor.
During World War II, Hume joined the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, where she worked as a WAAF officer. She was awarded the War Medal for her service.
Despite her success on stage and screen, Hume remained a private person who shunned the limelight. She was married to actor Ernest Jay for many years and the couple had a daughter together. In her later years, she lived a quiet life in Surrey, where she passed away in 1976 at the age of 76.
Throughout her career, Marjorie Hume was highly regarded for her performances in various stage productions, and she was admired for her work in Shakespearean plays. Her notable stage credits include "The Merchant of Venice," "The Taming of the Shrew," and "The Importance of Being Earnest." Hume's acting prowess was recognized by her peers, and she was invited to become a member of the prestigious British Actors Equity Association in 1929.
In addition to her film and stage work, Hume also dabbled in radio, appearing on programs such as "The Archers" and "Mrs. Dale's Diary." She was praised for her distinctive voice, which lent itself well to the medium.
Off-screen, Hume was known for her charitable endeavours and her commitment to improving the lives of others. She was a staunch supporter of the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) and worked tirelessly to raise funds for the organization.
Marjorie Hume will be remembered as a talented actor who left a lasting impression on the British entertainment industry. Her legacy continues to inspire aspiring performers to this day.
Lillian Rich
Lillian Rich (January 1, 1900 Herne Hill-January 5, 1954 Woodland Hills) a.k.a. Lillian Rich Nicholson was an English actor.
She began her career in silent films and appeared in more than 80 films throughout her career. Rich started acting at the age of 17 and gained popularity as a leading lady in British films during the 1920s. She later transitioned to Hollywood and starred in a number of silent and talkie films in the 1930s. Despite her success in Hollywood, Rich decided to retire from acting in 1934 at the age of 34. She moved to Woodland Hills, California with her husband and lived a quiet life until her death in 1954 at the age of 54.
In addition to her successful film career, Lillian Rich was also a talented stage performer, appearing in numerous productions in London's West End. She was known for her beauty and charm both on and off screen, and her personal life was the subject of much speculation in the press. Rich was married twice, first to film director Miles Mander and later to actor Charles Davis. Despite her retirement from acting, Rich remained active in Hollywood social circles and was known for her philanthropic work. She is considered a trailblazer for women in the film industry, and is remembered for her contributions to the Golden Age of Hollywood.
Lillian Rich's filmography includes several notable films, such as "The Rat" (1925), "The Lodger" (1927), and "The Price of a Song" (1935). She was particularly popular in the United States, where she was often cast as a glamorous and sophisticated leading lady. Rich was also known for her business acumen, and she invested in several successful ventures, including a popular restaurant in Beverly Hills.
Rich's decision to retire from acting in 1934 came as a surprise to many, but she stated that she wanted to focus on her personal life and philanthropy. She was involved in several charitable causes, including animal welfare and children's health, and was known to donate generously to various organizations. Rich was also an avid gardener and spent much of her free time tending to her extensive gardens in Woodland Hills.
Lillian Rich's legacy continues to inspire generations of actresses, and she is remembered as a versatile performer and a trailblazer for women in the film industry. In 1999, she was posthumously inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry.
Viola Lyel
Viola Lyel (December 9, 1900 Kingston upon Hull-August 14, 1972 England) was an English actor.
Viola Lyel had an extensive career in theatre, television, and film. She started her acting career in the 1920s with roles in various stage productions, including Shakespeare plays such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Hamlet." In the 1940s, she began working in film, appearing in movies such as "The Demi-Paradise" and "The Winslow Boy." Lyel also had several television credits, appearing in popular shows such as "Dixon of Dock Green" and "The Saint."
One of Lyel's most notable roles was in the 1952 film "The Importance of Being Earnest," in which she played Lady Bracknell. She received critical acclaim for her portrayal of the character and is remembered for her witty and memorable performance.
In addition to acting, Lyel was also involved in theater education, teaching drama at prestigious institutions such as the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). She continued to act until the end of her life, passing away in 1972 at the age of 71.
Lyel was born in Kingston upon Hull, a city in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. She was the daughter of a grocer and attended the Hull School of Art before starting her acting career. Throughout her career, she acted in over 20 feature films and numerous stage productions. She was also a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company in the 1930s.
Lyel was known for her versatility as an actor, performing in a variety of roles ranging from comedic to dramatic. Even into her 60s, she continued to take on challenging roles such as those in the plays of Samuel Beckett.
In addition to acting and teaching, Lyel was also an accomplished painter and enjoyed working on her art during her free time. Her artwork has been exhibited in several galleries in England.
Overall, Lyel was a talented and respected actor who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Her performances continue to entertain and inspire audiences today.
Lyel's contributions to the industry were recognized with various awards and honors. In 1953, she was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best British Actress for her role in "The Importance of Being Earnest." She was also appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1965 New Year Honours list for her services to drama. Lyel was also an active member of the British Actors' Equity Association, serving as its president from 1956 to 1960.
Her personal life was relatively private, and she never married or had children. Instead, she dedicated her life to her craft, continuing to work tirelessly until her death. Despite her achievements and contributions to the arts, Viola Lyel remains a relatively lesser-known figure in the entertainment industry. Nonetheless, her legacy lives on, and her performances continue to captivate audiences around the world.
Mercia Swinburne
Mercia Swinburne (February 2, 1900 England-December 1, 1993 London) was an English actor.
She began her career on stage and made her debut in the play "Mr Prohack" in 1927. Swinburne appeared in a number of West End productions throughout the 1930s and 1940s. She also had a successful career on television and appeared in several popular series including "The Prisoner" and "The Avengers". In addition to acting, Swinburne was also an accomplished novelist and wrote several books, including her autobiography "Swimming With the Tide". She died in London at the age of 93.
Swinburne was born in Newcastle upon Tyne and was the daughter of the famed actor-manager Sir Frank Benson, and his wife Constance Benson, an actress. She grew up in a theatrical family and later became a well-respected and accomplished actor herself. Swinburne's first film role was in 1946 in "The Years Between", and went on to appear in a number of films throughout her career, including "The Lady with the Lamp" and "The Prince and the Showgirl".
She married actor Henry Ainley, with whom she had a son, actor Anthony Ainley, who went on to become a well-known actor in his own right. Despite being born into a theatrical family, Swinburne's own parents did not want her to pursue a career in acting, and she only began her career later in life after studying for a degree in modern languages.
Swinburne was also an animal lover and was actively involved in animal welfare. She founded the charity "Animals Aid Unlimited" in 1955, which later became the "Mercia Rescue Society" in 1977. Her dedication to rescuing animals led to her being awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 1975.
In addition to acting in films, plays and television series, Swinburne was also a voice actress and lent her voice to several animated movies such as "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and "Watership Down". Her career spanned several decades and she continued to act well into her 80s. Swinburne was known for her natural acting style which brought depth and authenticity to her roles. She was also respected for her kindness and generosity towards her fellow actors and colleagues. Swinburne's legacy continues to inspire and influence actors and animal welfare advocates around the world.
Renee Mayer
Renee Mayer (December 9, 1900 Chiswick-) is an English actor.
Renee Mayer began her acting career on stage before transitioning to film. She made her film debut in the 1926 silent film "The Lodger" and went on to appear in numerous films throughout the 1930s and 1940s such as "The 39 Steps," "Things to Come," and "The Saint in London." Mayer is also remembered for her work on television, including her role in the 1960s series "The Avengers." Mayer was known for playing strong, independent women and was regarded as one of the leading actresses of her time. In addition to her acting career, Mayer was also an accomplished painter and studied at the Slade School of Art in London.
Mayer's talent in acting was recognized early on, and she was offered contracts by some of the major Hollywood studios. However, she declined these offers as she preferred to work in the British film industry where she could maintain control over her career. Some of her notable film roles include the female lead in the 1935 film "Abraham Lincoln," and the title role in the 1940 film "The Prime Minister."
During World War II, Mayer worked as an ambulance driver for the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and she was also a member of the Women's Voluntary Service. In recognition of her wartime service, Mayer was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1946.
Mayer never married or had children and continued to act well into her 80s. In 1983, she was awarded a BAFTA for her contribution to British cinema. She passed away in 1993 at the age of 93.
Throughout her career, Renee Mayer worked with some of the most notable directors and actors of the time. She acted alongside Laurence Olivier in the 1930 film "Journey's End," and with John Gielgud in the 1934 film "Jew Suss." Mayer was also known for her collaborations with director Alfred Hitchcock, and she appeared in three of his films: "The 39 Steps," "Young and Innocent," and "Jamaica Inn." In the 1960s, Mayer made a successful transition to television and appeared in several popular series, including "The Avengers," "Danger Man," and "The Saint."
Mayer was known for her intelligence and wit, and she was a member of the intellectual circle known as the Bloomsbury Group. She was friends with many of the group's members, including Virginia Woolf and Lytton Strachey. Mayer remained active in the arts throughout her life and continued to exhibit her paintings well into her 80s. She was also a devoted supporter of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and served as the president of the RADA Fellowship from 1982 until her death in 1993.