Person Biography:
Joyce Grenfell was a British actress, comedian, and singer born on February 10, 1910, in London. She was the daughter of American-born architect Paul Phipps and American socialite Nora Langhorne, making her the niece of British politician Nancy Astor. Grenfell was educated in London and Paris, attending the Francis Holland School and the Claremont Fan Court School, as well as Mlle Ozanne's finishing school in Paris.
Grenfell's career in the entertainment industry began as a radio critic columnist. She made her stage debut in 1939 in the revue "The Little Revue," where her impersonations, characterizations, and satirical songs became an instant hit. She went on to perform in numerous revues and one-woman shows, including "Meet Joyce Grenfell" and "Joyce Grenfell at Home." During World War II, she often performed for British troops.
Grenfell's success extended to film, where she played wealthy, gawky-appearing matrons in droll comedies. She made her feature film debut in the romantic dramedy "Adventure for Two" (1943) and went on to make several war-era films, including "The Lamp Still Burns" (1943),"While the Sun Shines" (1947),and "Alice in Wonderland" (1949). She also appeared in the popular "St. Trinian's" series, playing a policewoman-turned-teacher in "The Belles of St. Trinian's" (1954).
Grenfell continued to work in film and television throughout the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in comedies such as "The Galloping Major" (1951),"Genevieve" (1953),and "Happy Is the Bride" (1958). She also provided comedy relief in dramas, including "Stage Fright" (1950) and "The Magic Box" (1951). In the 1960s, she began performing worldwide, including in the United States, where she appeared on "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Tonight Show," and "The Merv Griffin Show."
Grenfell's final performances were on stage, including a scene-stealing cameo in "The Yellow Rolls-Royce" (1964). She retired from acting in the 1970s due to a severe eye infection that resulted in the loss of sight in one eye. She died on November 30, 1979, at the age of 69, due to complications from her ocular cancer.
