Brenda de Banzie was an English actress best known for her roles in The Entertainer, Hobson’s Choice, and The Man Who Knew Too Much. Born on July 28, 1909, in Manchester, England, she became a notable figure in both stage and film over the course of her career.
Personal and Family Life
Brenda was married to Rupert Marsh from June 1934 until her death in March 1981. The couple had one child, Antony Marsh. Brenda also had a niece named Lois De Banzie. She grew up in a musical family, as her father was a musician who performed for Queen Victoria.
Career Highlights
Brenda began her career as a chorus girl at the age of sixteen and quickly became a well-known stage actress. She received critical acclaim for her performance in Murder Mistaken, which earned her the Clarence Derwent Award. She gained significant fame after starring in Hobson’s Choice and went on to receive a Tony Award nomination for her role in The Entertainer.
Death and Legacy
Brenda de Banzie passed away on March 5, 1981, during surgery for a benign brain tumor in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. Despite some setbacks later in her career, she remains remembered for her impactful performances, particularly in the British film industry, and her contributions to theatre.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Man Who Knew Too Much | 1956-05-16 | Lucy Drayton |
| The Pink Panther | 1963-12-18 | Angela Dunning |
| Come September | 1961-01-01 | Margaret Allison |
| Passport to Shame | 1958-12-02 | Aggie |
| Hobson’s Choice | 1954-04-19 | Maggie Hobson |
| Doctor at Sea | 1955-07-12 | Muriel Mallet |
| The Entertainer | 1960-07-25 | Phoebe Rice |
| The Purple Plain | 1954-09-14 | Miss McNab |
| House of Secrets | 1956-10-23 | Mme. Isabella Ballu |
| The Mark | 1961-01-26 | Gertrude Cartwright |
| A Day to Remember | 1953-11-10 | Mrs. Collins |
| As Long as They’re Happy | 1955-03-15 | Stella Bentley |
| Too Many Crooks | 1959-03-08 | Lucy Gordon |
| Flame in the Streets | 1961-06-19 | Nell Palmer |
| The 39 Steps | 1959-03-13 | Nellie Lumsden |
| A Kid for Two Farthings | 1955-08-15 | Lady Ruby |
| A Pair of Briefs | 1962-03-01 | Gladys Rose Hanley |
| What Every Woman Wants | 1954-06-10 | Sarah Brown |
| Pretty Polly | 1967-10-19 | Mrs. Innes-Hook |
| Don’t Blame the Stork | 1954-01-01 | Evelyn Steele |
| The Happiness of Three Women | 1954-12-09 | Jane Price |
| The Yellow Balloon | 1953-02-10 | Fruit and Veg Stall Customer (uncredited) |
| Private Information | 1952-03-26 | Dolly Carson |
| The Long Dark Hall | 1951-02-06 | Mrs Rogers |
| James Stewart: A Wonderful Life | 1988-11-22 | Self (archive footage) |
| I Believe in You | 1952-03-05 | Mrs. Hooker |
| I Thank a Fool | 1962-09-14 | Nurse Drew |
| The Dam Busters | 1955-05-16 | Waitress (uncredited) |
| Never Look Back | 1952-01-01 | Molly Wheeler |
| Out of the Unknown | 1965-10-04 |