Kathleen Harrison was a British actress who is best known for her roles in “Night Must Fall,” “Oliver Twist,” and the “Huggett Family” series. With a career spanning five decades, she became celebrated for her endearing, motherly characters.
Personal and Family Life
Kathleen Harrison was born on February 23, 1892, in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. She married John Henry Back in 1916, and the couple had three children together. Before embracing her acting career, she spent nearly eight years living in Argentina, where she gained valuable life experiences that would later influence her performances.
Career
Kathleen trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and made her stage debut in “The Constant Flirt” in 1926. During the 1930s, she transitioned to film, reprising several of her theater roles in movies. She became a beloved figure in English cinema for her portrayals of various maternal characters and worked on nearly 80 films throughout her life. Late in her career, she garnered additional fame on television, particularly for her role in “Mrs. Thursday” in 1966.
Death and Legacy
Kathleen Harrison passed away on December 7, 1995, in Merton, London, at the age of 103. Her work left a significant impact on British cinema, and she is remembered fondly for her portrayal of warm-hearted, relatable characters. She remains an inspiring figure for aspiring actors in the British entertainment industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Cast a Dark Shadow | 1955-09-20 | Emmie |
| Scrooge | 1951-11-28 | Mrs. Dilber |
| The Ghoul | 1933-08-01 | Kaney |
| Night Must Fall | 1937-04-30 | Emily Terence |
| Oliver Twist | 1948-06-28 | Mrs. Sowerberry |
| Mrs Thursday | 1966-03-15 | |
| Here Come the Huggetts | 1948-12-02 | Ethel Huggett |
| Vote for Huggett | 1949-02-01 | Ethel Huggett |
| The Huggetts Abroad | 1949-03-21 | Ethel Huggett |
| Danger UXB | 1979-01-08 | Mrs. Dollery |