Georgina Cookson, a striking and refined British character actress, has been a staple on stage since the 1940s. Her impressive performance as Lady India in Jean Anouilh's 'Ring Around the Moon' (1950-51) on Broadway earned her widespread acclaim, with her tango on opening night bringing the house down.
Her distinctive aquiline features and impeccable bearing led to a steady stream of upper-class roles on television, often playing wealthy or snooty socialites. One of her most memorable performances was as an unnamed party-goer in the dream sequence of the 'Prisoner' (1967) episode "A.B. and C.". She also played Mrs. Butterworth, who not only resided in Patrick McGoohan's old flat and drove his sports car but was revealed to be another Number 2 in the episode "Many Happy Returns".
In another notable appearance, Georgina had to graciously accept a bread roll offered by Steptoe and Son (1962) in the episode "Loathe Story", as the hyphenated mother of Joanna Lumley.
Georgina had a rare lead in the title role of the low-budget thriller 'The Woman Who Wouldn't Die' (1965) as Gary Merrill's crippled and demanding wife, who, unsurprisingly, gets killed and disposed of in the potting shed. Of course, she comes back to haunt her evil hubby (really, just a double-cross staged by his two accomplices).
Throughout her career, Georgina has appeared opposite many great British comic actors, including Sidney James and Tony Hancock. Privately, her circle of friends included Denholm Elliott and Terry-Thomas, with whom she shared the stage in 'Full House'. Her final curtain call before retirement in Australia was as the lead in the comedy play 'A Breath of Spring' in 1990.
