Dame Edith Evans was an English actress best known for her roles in The Importance of Being Earnest, Tom Jones, and The Whisperers. Born on February 8, 1888, in Pimlico, London, she achieved great success on stage and in film throughout her long career.
Personal and Family Life
Edith Evans married George Booth on September 9, 1925, but remained a widow after his death in 1935. She decided not to have children, a choice she later regretted due to her parents’ grief from the loss of her brother at a young age. Despite her fame, Evans also had a private life, including a long-term affair with fellow actor Michael Redgrave starting in 1937.
Career Highlights
She made her stage debut in 1912 and became a celebrated actress in both classic and contemporary works. Although she was initially reluctant to act in films, she made her movie comeback in 1949 and gained recognition for various performances throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Notably, her role in Tom Jones earned her an Academy Award nomination, solidifying her transition to a respected film presence.
Death and Legacy
Dame Edith Evans passed away on October 14, 1976, due to respiratory complications at the age of 88. She is remembered as one of the greatest actresses on the English stage and received the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to drama. Her performances continue to be celebrated and influence aspiring actors.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Importance of Being Earnest | 1952-06-02 | Lady Bracknell |
| Tom Jones | 1963-08-24 | Miss Western |
| The Nun’s Story | 1959-06-18 | Rev. Mother Emmanuel |
| Fitzwilly | 1967-12-20 | Miss Victoria Woodworth |
| Scrooge | 1970-11-05 | Ghost of Christmas Past |
| A Doll’s House | 1973-04-10 | Anne-Marie |
| The Slipper and the Rose | 1976-03-25 | Dowager Queen |
| The Chalk Garden | 1964-04-02 | Mrs. St. Maugham |
| Look Back in Anger | 1959-09-15 | Mrs. Tanner |
| The Whisperers | 1967-07-18 | Mrs Ross |
| Prudence and the Pill | 1968-05-23 | Roberta Bates |
| The Queen of Spades | 1949-03-16 | The Old Countess Ranevskaya |
| Craze | 1974-05-16 | Aunt Louise |
| Young Cassidy | 1965-02-25 | Lady Gregory |
| Nasty Habits | 1977-01-28 | Sister Hildegard |
| David Copperfield | 1969-12-01 | Aunt Betsy Trotwood |
| The Last Days of Dolwyn | 1949-04-13 | Merri |
| The Madwoman of Chaillot | 1969-10-12 | Josephine |
| East Is East | 1916-09-02 | Aunt |
| Upon This Rock | 1970-01-01 | Queen Christina (voice) |
| Crooks and Coronets | 1969-04-02 | Lady Sophie Fitzmore |
| The New Cinema | 1968-01-01 | Self |
| And the Oscar Goes To… | 2014-02-01 | Self (archive footage) |
| Nothing Like a Dame | 2018-05-02 | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) |
| Hallmark Hall of Fame | 1951-12-24 | Duchess of Pont-au-Bronc |
| The Oscars | 1953-03-19 | Self |
| QB VII | 1974-04-29 | Dr. Parmentier |