Born: December 18, 1888 – Died: November 17, 1971
Gladys Cooper, born on December 18, 1888, in Lewisham, London, England, was the daughter of journalist William Frederick Cooper and Mabel Barnett. With her striking appearance, she began her career as a photographic model at the tender age of six. However, her true passion was acting, which she pursued in 1905 after being discovered by Seymour Hicks. Gladys made her mark on the London stage in 1906 and later joined the famous Gaiety Girls chorus entertainments in 1907. Her journey in entertainment included stage performances, early British silent films, and a foray into Hollywood. Notably, she received three Oscar nominations for her remarkable acting. Dame Gladys Cooper's legacy as a versatile actress remains enduring.
Early Life and Career
Gladys Cooper's childhood and upbringing were marked by her early entry into the world of modeling and acting. She didn't attend a university, as her career in entertainment began at a young age. Her first professional role came in 1905 when she joined Seymour Hicks' company in "Bluebell in Fairyland."
Gladys' first major successful role came in 1911 when she appeared in a production of Oscar Wilde's comedy "The Importance of Being Earnest." This marked the beginning of her more concentrated stage work, setting the stage for her future accomplishments.
The role that catapulted Gladys Cooper into stardom was her portrayal of Leslie Crosbie in W. Somerset Maugham's "The Letter" in 1927. This role garnered her critical acclaim and solidified her status as a prominent actress.
Throughout her career, Gladys Cooper received several accolades, including three Oscar nominations. She was known for her versatility in portraying aristocratic elderly ladies and made a mark in both Hollywood and the British entertainment industry.
In her personal life, Gladys Cooper was married to Philip Merivale from 1937 until his death in 1946. She had a daughter named Joan Buckmaster. Aside from acting, she was also an author, having written an autobiography in 1931, followed by two biographies in 1953 and 1979.
Gladys Cooper's impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry is undeniable, as she left a lasting legacy through her extensive body of work in film, television, and theater. She is considered an icon and legend in the world of acting, known for her remarkable talent and contributions to the arts.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | The Persuaders! (TV Series) | Grand Duchess Ozerov |
| 1971 | The Doctors (TV Series) | Harriet Vey |
| 1970 | The Great Inimitable Mr. Dickens (TV Movie) | Mrs. Ternan |
| 1969 | A Nice Girl Like Me | Aunt Mary |
| 1967 | The Happiest Millionaire | Aunt Mary |
| 1967 | Callan (TV Series) | Dr. Schultz |
| 1967 | Adam Adamant Lives! (TV Series) | Grand Duchess Vorokhov |
| 1966 | The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (TV Series) | Mama Rosha |
| 1965 | Emergency-Ward 10 (TV Series) | Sister McInnes |
| 1965 | Ben Casey (TV Series) | Dr. Hagar Brandt |
| 1964–1965 | The Rogues (TV Series) | Margaret St. Clair |
| 1963–1964 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (TV Series) | Laura | Mrs. Raydon |
| 1964 | My Fair Lady | Mrs. Higgins |
| 1962–1964 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) | Elva Keene | Millie McKenzie | Wanda Dunn |
| 1963 | The Outer Limits (TV Series) | Mrs. Palmer |
| 1963 | Burke's Law (TV Series) | Harriet Richards |
| 1963 | The List of Adrian Messenger | Mrs. Karoudjian |
| 1963 | Going My Way (TV Series) | Mrs. Sedgwick |
| 1963 | Pygmalion (TV Movie) | Mrs. Higgins |
| 1962 | Fair Exchange (TV Series) | Nell |
| 1962 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Margaret Langdon |
| 1962 | Playdate (TV Series) | Mrs. Smith |
| 1962 | Naked City (TV Series) | Mrs. Ernest Johns, Sr. |
| 1961 | If the Crown Fits (TV Series) | Madam Olga |
| 1960 | Rendezvous (TV Series) | Helen |
| 1959–1960 | ITV Play of the Week (TV Series) | Edith Salesby | Laura Anson |
| 1959 | Adventures in Paradise (TV Series) | Mrs. Maude Harper |
| 1958 | Separate Tables | Mrs. Railton-Bell |
| 1958 | The Ann Sothern Show (TV Series) | Duchess |
| 1957–1958 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Mrs. Allen | Mrs. Palmer | Mrs. Millet |
| 1958 | Matinee Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1958 | Suspicion (TV Series) | Lady Windemere |
| 1957 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) | Marguerite Gillespie |
| 1957 | The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial (TV Series) | Lady Tichborne |
| 1956 | The Alcoa Hour (TV Series) | Aunt Pauline |
| 1955 | The Man Who Loved Redheads | Caroline, Lady Binfield |
| 1952 | At Sword's Point | Queen Anne |
| 1951 | Thunder on the Hill | Mother Superior |
| 1950 | BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (TV Series) | The Queen Mother of Persia |
| 1949 | Madame Bovary | Mme. Dupuis |
| 1949 | The Secret Garden | Mrs. Medlock |
| 1948 | The Pirate | Aunt Inez |
| 1948 | Homecoming | Mrs. Kirby |
| 1947 | The Bishop's Wife | Mrs. Hamilton |
| 1947 | Green Dolphin Street | Sophie Patourel |
| 1946 | The Cockeyed Miracle | Amy Griggs |
| 1946 | Beware of Pity | Mrs. Klara Condor |
| 1946 | The Green Years | Grandma Leckie |
| 1945 | Love Letters | Beatrice Remington |
| 1945 | The Valley of Decision | Clarissa Scott |
| 1944 | Mrs. Parkington | Alice, Duchess de Brancourt |
| 1944 | The White Cliffs of Dover | Lady Jean Ashwood |
| 1943 | The Song of Bernadette | Sister Marie Therese Vauzous |
| 1943 | Princess O'Rourke | Miss Haskell |
| 1943 | Mr. Lucky | Captain Veronica Steadman |
| 1943 | Forever and a Day | Mrs. Barringer |
| 1942 | Now, Voyager | Mrs. Henry Vale |
| 1942 | Eagle Squadron | Aunt Emmeline |
| 1942 | This Above All | Iris Cathaway |
| 1941 | The Gay Falcon | Maxine Wood |
| 1941 | A Yank in the RAF | Mrs. Pillby (scenes deleted) |
| 1941 | The Black Cat | Myrna Hartley |
| 1941 | That Hamilton Woman | Lady Frances Nelson |
| 1940 | Kitty Foyle | Mrs. Strafford |
| 1940 | Rebecca | Beatrice Lacy |
| 1934 | The Iron Duke | Madame - Duchess d'Angoulème |
| 1923 | Bonnie Prince Charlie | Flora MacDonald |
| 1922 | The Bohemian Girl | Arline Arnheim |
| 1921 | Headin' North | Madge Mullin |
| 1920 | Unmarried | Unknown |
| 1917 | My Lady's Dress | The Wife |
| 1917 | Masks and Faces | Mabel Vane |
| 1917 | The Sorrows of Satan | Lady Sybil Elton |
| 1916 | The Real Thing at Last (Short) | American Witch |
| 1914 | Danny Donovan, the Gentleman Cracksman (Short) | Mrs. Ashworth |
| 1913 | The Eleventh Commandment (Short) | Edith |
