Mary Bessie Brough, born in 1863 in London, came from a long lineage of theatrical performers, being the eldest daughter of renowned stage actor Lionel Brough. She made her professional stage debut in 1881, taking on a wide range of roles from classical dramas to light comedies and popular melodramas at the prestigious Drury Lane Theatre.
Her repertoire included notable productions such as 'Henry IV', 'David Copperfield', 'Oliver Twist', 'The Brass Bottle', 'Mr. Wu', 'Lord and Lady Algy', and many more. It wasn't until she reached the age of 60 that she gained widespread recognition, starring in numerous farces at the Aldwych Theatre from 1922 to 1934 under the direction of actor-manager Tom Walls.
These farces, such as 'Tons of Money' alongside Ralph Lynn and Robertson Hare, showcased Mary's impressive comedic skills and earned her a reputation as a key member of the team. Throughout her career, she appeared in over 66 films, often playing comically exaggerated characters, including fearsome cockney women and aristocratic figures.
Mary made her film debut in Sidney Morgan's 'The Brass Bottle' in 1914, followed by notable roles in 'A Christmas Carol' with Charles Rock, 'Squibs' with Betty Balfour, 'Ton of Money' with Leslie Henson, and 'A Cuckoo in the Nest' with Ralph Lynn. In 1934, she appeared in the farce 'Indoor Fireworks' at the Aldwych Theatre, but was forced to leave the stage after falling ill in her dressing room.
Mary Brough passed away at the age of 71 at her home in Southwell, South London, where she had been nursed back to health after her illness.
