Ann Todd facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ann Todd
Todd in The Paradine Case, 1948.
Born	(1907-01-24)24 January 1907 Hartford, Cheshire, England
Died	6 May 1993(1993-05-06) (aged 86) Chelsea, London, England
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1931–1992
Spouse(s)	Victor N. Malcolm (m. 1933; div. 193?) Nigel Tangye ​ ​ (m. 1939; div. 1949)​ David Lean ​ ​ (m. 1949; div. 1957)​
Children	2

Dorothy Ann Todd (born January 24, 1907 – died May 6, 1993) was a famous English actress. She worked in films, television, and on stage. Ann Todd became very well-known around the world after starring in the 1945 movie The Seventh Veil.

From 1949 to 1957, she was married to the famous film director David Lean. He directed her in three movies: The Passionate Friends (1949), Madeleine (1950), and The Sound Barrier (1952). Ann Todd was also part of The Old Vic theatre group. In 1957, she acted in a play on Broadway in New York City. Later in her life, she started making travel documentaries. She wrote, produced, and directed these films herself.

Early Life and Training

Ann Todd was born in Hartford, Cheshire, England. Her father, Thomas, was a salesman from Scotland. Her mother, Constance, was a housewife from London. Ann had a younger brother named Harold Brooke. He later became a writer for light comedy movies.

Her family moved to London. Ann went to St. Winifrid's School in Eastbourne, Sussex. She loved drama and wanted to teach it. So, she studied speech and drama at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.

While she was studying, she got her first acting job. She played a fairy in a play called "The Land of Heart's Desire." This play was at the Arts Theatre Club in Soho. After this experience, Ann decided to become an actress instead of a teacher.

Film Career

Ann Todd started her career as a theatre actress in London. Soon, she began getting small roles in movies. Her first film was Keepers of Youth in 1931. She also appeared in other early films like These Charming People (1931) and The Ghost Train (1931). Other roles included The Water Gipsies (1932) and The Return of Bulldog Drummond (1934).

She worked with producer Alex Korda on several films. These included Things to Come (1936), Action for Slander (1937), and South Riding (1938).

During World War II, Ann Todd acted in movies like Poison Pen (1939) and Ships with Wings (1941). However, she spent more time acting in plays during this period. She gave a memorable performance in the play "Lottie Dundass" in 1943.

Becoming a Star

Ann Todd became a big star after her role in The Seventh Veil (1945). This movie was very popular in both the UK and the US. She then starred in a musical called Gaiety George (1946). She also appeared in a mystery film, Daybreak (released in 1948).

After her success, she received an offer from Hollywood. The famous director Alfred Hitchcock wanted her for his movie The Paradine Case (1947). She played the wife of the main character, played by Gregory Peck.

Ann Todd also starred in So Evil My Love (1948). Her then-husband, David Lean, directed her in The Passionate Friends (1949). She worked with Lean again in Madeleine (1950) and The Sound Barrier (1952). The Sound Barrier was a very successful movie.

Later, she appeared in thrillers like The Green Scarf (1954) and Time Without Pity (1957). She also had a good role in the horror film Taste of Fear (1961).

Television Work

Ann Todd was also a pioneer in British television. She appeared in Ann and Harold (1938), which was the first TV show in Britain that had multiple episodes. She starred in two episodes of the show Playhouse 90. She also played the main character in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents in 1958.

Stage Performances

In 1941, Ann Todd performed in the comedy play Love in a Mist. In 1951, she acted in a stage version of The Seventh Veil, playing the same role she had in the movie. In 1957, after her divorce from David Lean, Ann Todd made her first appearance on Broadway in the play Four Winds.

Later Career and Life

After starring in Ninety Degrees in the Shade in 1965, Ann Todd mostly stopped acting. She would only take on roles sometimes to earn money for her new career. She began producing a series of travel films. She wrote a book about her life called The Eighth Veil. This title was a nod to The Seventh Veil, the movie that made her famous. Ann Todd was sometimes called the "pocket Garbo" because she was small, blonde, and beautiful, like the famous actress Greta Garbo.

Ann Todd once said that she was a very shy person. She felt that acting helped her overcome her shyness.

She was married three times. Her first husband was Victor N. Malcolm. They had a son named David Malcolm. Her second husband was Nigel Tangye. They had a daughter named Ann Francesca Tangye. Her third husband was the film director David Lean. Nigel Tangye and David Lean were actually cousins. Ann Todd divorced Nigel Tangye in 1949. She married David Lean on May 21, 1949. They divorced in 1957.

Death

Ann Todd passed away from a stroke on May 6, 1993. She was 86 years old. She died at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.

Partial filmography

Radio appearances

See also

In Spanish: Ann Todd para niños