Early Life The comedy character actress Margaret Rutherford was born Margaret Taylor Rutherford-Benn on 11 May 1892 in Balham, South London. She was the only child of William and Florence Rutherford-Benn. Shortly after the couple married in 1882, William had a nervous breakdown and was sent to a mental institution. A few months later, just…
Early Life and Career The Welsh actor Stanley Baker was born William Stanley Baker on 28 February 1928 in Ferndale, Glamorganshire. He was the youngest of the three children of John Henry Baker, a miner, and his wife Elizabeth Louisa. At school, by Baker’s own admission, he had little interest in learning. However, he did…
Early Life The character actor George Edward Cole was born in Tooting, London on 22 April 1925. Aged just 10 days old he was adopted by local council worker George Cole, and his wife Florence, who worked as a cleaner. He attended Morden secondary school but left, aged 14, to become a butcher’s boy. However,…
Early Life and Career The British film actress and singer Jean (Merilyn) Simmons was born on 31 January 1929 in Islington, London. She was the youngest of the four children of Charles and Winifred Simmons. During WW2, the whole family was evacuated to Winscombe, Somerset. During her time in rural Somerset that Simmons she got…
Early Life The British character actor Claude Rains was born William Claude Rains on 10 November 1889 in Clapham, London. His father, Frederick William Rains was a boilermaker turned stage actor. His mother Emily Eliza (nee Cox), a housewife, was plagued with ill health. He was one of twelve children though only three of his…
Early Life of Arthur Stanley Jefferson aka Stan Laurel The legendary comedy actor, director, and screenwriter Stan Laurel was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on 16 June 1890 in Ulverston, Lancashire (now Cumbria), England. He was one of five children. His father, Arthur J. Jefferson, was an actor, who later became a theatre manager. His Ulverston-born…
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