English movie stars born in 1917
Here are 6 famous actresses from England were born in 1917:
Pamela Brown
Pamela Brown (July 8, 1917 Hampstead-September 19, 1975 Avening) also known as Pamela Mary Brown was an English actor.
She was born in Hampstead, London, England to a theatrical family. Her parents, Frank and Margery Brown, were both actors and her brother, Richard, also pursued a career in acting. Pamela attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and made her professional stage debut in 1936.
Throughout her career, Pamela appeared in numerous stage productions, as well as films and television shows. Some of her notable film roles include "I Know Where I'm Going!" (1945), "An American in Paris" (1951), and "Becket" (1964). She also had recurring roles on several popular British television shows, including "The Forsyte Saga" and "The Pallisers."
Pamela was highly regarded for her talent as an actor and received many accolades throughout her career. She was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway production of "The Grass Harp" in 1952. She was also awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1969 for her contributions to the arts.
Pamela never married and passed away in Avening, Gloucestershire, England in 1975 at the age of 58.
Despite never marrying, Pamela was involved in a long-term romantic relationship with Michael Powell, a renowned film director. Powell directed Pamela in several films, including "The Spy in Black" (1939) and "The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp" (1943), which are regarded as classics of British cinema. Pamela's talents were not limited to acting; she was also a skilled writer and wrote several plays and screenplays throughout her career. In addition to her work in the arts, Pamela was passionate about animal rights and was a member of the League Against Cruel Sports. Her legacy as a gifted actor and writer continues to be celebrated by fans of British theater and film to this day.
Vera Lynn
Vera Lynn (March 20, 1917 East Ham-) also known as Vera Margaret Welch or Dame Vera Lynn is an English singer and actor.
She became popular during the Second World War when she entertained British troops in India, Egypt, and Burma with her performances. Lynn was often referred to as the "Forces' Sweetheart" due to her popularity among the troops. Lynn's most famous song, "We'll Meet Again," has become a symbol of hope during difficult times and has been covered by many artists. After the war, Lynn continued to perform and record music, and in 1975 was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to entertainment and charity. She remained active well into her later years and performed live until the age of 92. Vera Lynn passed away on June 18, 2020 at the age of 103.
Throughout her career, Vera Lynn had various other popular songs such as "The White Cliffs of Dover," "As Time Goes By," and "There'll Always Be an England." She started her career by singing with big bands in London and in 1937, she released her first solo recording, "Up the Wooden Hill to Bedfordshire." In addition to her music career, Lynn also appeared in several films and television shows, including the 1943 film "We'll Meet Again," which was named after her signature song. She was also a tireless advocate for veterans and helped establish a charity to support ex-servicemen and women in need. Even in her later years, Vera Lynn continued to inspire and uplift people, and remains a beloved figure in British culture.
Peggy Ann Clifford
Peggy Ann Clifford (November 7, 1917 Bournemouth-July 15, 1998 Los Angeles) also known as Peggyann Clifford or Peggyanne Clifford was an English actor.
Peggy Ann Clifford was born in Bournemouth, England in 1917. She was the daughter of a theatrical producer and grew up in the world of theater. She started her acting career in the 1930s in British theater and then transitioned to television and film. One of her most notable roles was in the British TV series "The Adventures of Robin Hood," in which she appeared in 24 episodes between 1955 and 1958. She also appeared in several films, including "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber" (1962) and "The Face of Fu Manchu" (1965). In the 1970s, she moved to the United States and continued to act in both TV and film, including a role in the soap opera "The Young and the Restless." Peggy Ann Clifford passed away in Los Angeles in 1998 at the age of 80.
In addition to her successful acting career, Peggy Ann Clifford was also a talented writer. She published two books, "An Actress Deceives" in 1940 and "Queenie's Daughter" in 1956. She also wrote scripts for TV shows and plays. Peggy Ann Clifford was married twice, first to actor Mark Dignam and then to actor and director Basil Sydney. She had two children with Dignam, including actor and director Mark Dignam Jr. Peggy Ann Clifford was a well-respected member of the acting community and made a significant impact on both British and American entertainment industries.
Anne Tirard
Anne Tirard (June 5, 1917 London-August 12, 2003 Kent) otherwise known as Ann Tirard was an English actor.
She began acting with a small repertory company before making her West End debut in 1938. During World War II, she joined ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) and travelled to India, Burma, and the Middle East to perform for the troops. After the war, she returned to the West End and continued to perform on stage, including in productions of "The Caretaker" and "Hay Fever". Tirard also appeared in several British films and TV shows throughout her career, including "The Avengers" and "The Two Ronnies". She retired from acting in 1975.
Apart from acting, Tirard also worked as a voice artist and had lent her voice to several radio plays and advertisements. She was known for her versatility as an actor and had played a wide range of roles throughout her career. Tirard was also a supporter of the Women's Royal Naval Service and volunteered at a local hospice.
Tirard was married to fellow actor Mark Dignam and they had two children together. Her daughter, Angela Down, also followed in her footsteps and became an actor. Tirard passed away in 2003 at the age of 86.
Sylvia Marriott
Sylvia Marriott (May 29, 1917 London-July 1, 1995 London) was an English actor.
She began her acting career in the late 1930s and appeared in several films throughout the 1940s and 1950s. One of her most notable roles was in the film "The Next of Kin" (1942), in which she played the lead role of Wren Officer Anne Burnett. She also appeared in the films "The Gentle Sex" (1943) and "They Made Me a Fugitive" (1947).
In addition to her film work, Marriott also acted in stage productions, including Noel Coward's "Present Laughter" in 1942. She was also a regular presence on British television in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing in shows such as "Z Cars" and "The Onedin Line."
Marriott was married to fellow actor Hubert Gregg from 1956 until his death in 2004. She continued working in the entertainment industry into the 1980s and passed away in 1995 at the age of 78.
Marriott was born in London in 1917 and grew up in a theatrical family. Her father, W. H. Marriott, was a renowned stage designer, and her mother was an actress. She attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, where she studied acting and began to hone her craft.
In the late 1930s, Marriott began her acting career in repertory theater and soon began to receive offers for film roles. She quickly became known for her naturalistic acting style and her ability to handle a wide range of roles. Her performance in "The Next of Kin" was particularly well-received, and it established her as a leading lady in British film.
Despite her success in film, Marriott continued to act in stage productions throughout her career. She was known for her performances in classic plays such as "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "Twelfth Night."
In addition to her acting work, Marriott was also a talented singer and appeared in several musicals throughout her career. She recorded several albums and was a frequent guest on BBC radio programs.
Marriott remained active in the entertainment industry until the 1980s, when she retired from acting due to health issues. She was honored with several awards throughout her career, including the Order of the British Empire in 1982. She passed away in 1995 at the age of 78.
Wendy Toye
Wendy Toye (May 1, 1917 London-February 27, 2010 London) also known as Beryl May Jessie Toye, Beryl May Jessie "Wendy" Toye or Wendy Toye CBE was an English film director, actor and dancer.
She started her career as a dancer and choreographer in the 1930s, and eventually transitioned to directing in the 1940s. Toye directed a number of successful feature films, including "The Stranger Left No Card" and "The Teckman Mystery". She also directed many stage productions, including the West End musical "Valmouth". In addition to her work in film and theater, Toye directed a number of television programs and commercials. She was awarded the CBE in 1992 for her contributions to the arts. Throughout her career, Toye was known for her innovative and experimental approach to directing, and she remains an important figure in British film and theater history.
Toye was born in London in 1917, and showed an early talent for dance. She began performing professionally as a teenager, and by the 1930s, had become a successful dancer and choreographer in London's West End. In the late 1940s, she began directing films, starting with the short film "The Stranger Left No Card" in 1952. She then directed her first feature film, "The Teckman Mystery," which was released in 1954 to critical acclaim.
Toye's career as a film director spanned over two decades, and she directed a variety of films, including comedies, dramas, and thrillers. In addition to her work in film, she continued to direct stage productions, and also worked in television, directing programs such as "The Wednesday Play" and "Armchair Theatre." She was known for her ability to bring a unique vision to every project she worked on, and was respected by her colleagues for her creativity and professionalism.
In addition to her directing work, Toye was also an accomplished actor, appearing in films such as "Hope and Glory" and "The Big Sleep." She continued to work in the arts well into her 80s, and was awarded the CBE in 1992 for her contributions to British culture. Wendy Toye passed away in London in 2010, but her legacy as a pioneering director and artist lives on.