Beatrice Lillie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Beatrice Lillie
Beatrice Lillie, photographed by Yousuf Karsh, 1948
Born	Beatrice Gladys Lillie (1894-05-29)29 May 1894 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died	20 January 1989(1989-01-20) (aged 94) Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England
Occupation	Stage and film actress, singer and comedic performer
Spouse(s)	Sir Robert Peel, 5th Baronet ​ ​ (m. 1920; died 1934)​
Children	1

Beatrice Gladys Lillie (born May 29, 1894 – died January 20, 1989), often called Bea Lillie, was a famous actress, singer, and comedian. She was born in Canada but became a British star.

Bea started performing when she was a child with her family. She first appeared on stage in London in 1914. People quickly noticed her talent in musical shows and comedies. She became famous for making fun of old-fashioned acting styles and singing funny, silly songs. Bea also performed in New York starting in 1924 and appeared in her first movie in 1926. She worked with many famous writers and performers like Noël Coward and Cole Porter.

During World War II, Bea often entertained soldiers. She won a special Tony Award in 1953 for her show called An Evening with Beatrice Lillie.

Early Life and First Shows

A scene from Oh Boy!, showing Tom Powers with Lillie, London, 1919

Bea Lillie was born in Toronto, Canada. Her father, John Lillie, sold cigars and later worked as a guard. Her mother, Lucie Ann, was a singer. Bea had an older sister named Muriel.

Bea began performing in Canada with her mother and sister. Her mother then took the girls to London, England. Bea made her first big stage appearance in London in 1914. She performed in many London shows and musical revues until 1922.

In these shows, Bea created her unique comedy acts and songs. She became very popular in New York after her Broadway debut in 1924. This show was called André Charlot's Revue of 1924.

Bea was known for making fun of old-fashioned performing styles. She sang silly songs like "There Are Fairies at the Bottom of Our Garden." Her funny acts, like "One Dozen Double Damask Dinner Napkins," made people call her the "Funniest Woman in the World."

Beatrice Lillie in "She's My Baby", 1927

In 1926, Bea returned to New York City to perform. While in the United States, she starred in her first movie, Exit Smiling (1927). She also had a small role in The Show of Shows (1929). Her only starring role in a sound movie was Are You There? (1930). After touring, Bea often performed on Broadway at the Palace Theatre.

Later Career and Famous Roles

From the late 1920s until World War II, Bea Lillie often traveled between America and England to perform. She played at the London Palladium in 1928. Bea worked a lot with the famous writer Noël Coward. She performed his song "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" for the first time in 1931. Other famous writers like Cole Porter also wrote songs for her.

Bea appeared in many Broadway shows. These included At Home Abroad (1935) and The Show Is On (1936) with Bert Lahr. She also starred in Set to Music (1939) and Seven Lively Arts (1944). In 1944, Bea appeared in the movie On Approval.

Other Broadway shows included Inside USA (1948) and An Evening with Beatrice Lillie (1952). She also appeared in Ziegfeld Follies of 1957 and Auntie Mame (1958). Her last Broadway show was High Spirits (1964). Bea had a small role in the movie Around the World in 80 Days (1956). Her last movie was Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967).

A critic named Ronald Barker once wrote that Bea Lillie had "perfect talent." Another writer, Sheridan Morley, said Bea was great at using her eyebrows, lips, and eyes to make jokes. She could even make innocent words sound funny.

Personal Life and Family

Bea Lillie married Robert Peel on January 20, 1920. He was the son of Sir Robert Peel, 4th Baronet. When his father died in 1925, Robert became the 5th Baronet. After her marriage, Bea was known as Lady Peel in her private life.

Bea and Robert had one child, a son named Robert Peel, born in 1920. Bea and her husband eventually separated but never divorced. Robert died in 1934. Their son, Sir Robert Peel, 6th Baronet, was a soldier. He was sadly killed in action in 1942 during World War II.

During World War II, Bea Lillie spent a lot of time entertaining soldiers. One day, she learned her son had died. Even with this sad news, she chose to perform, saying, "I'll cry tomorrow."

In 1948, Bea met a singer and actor named John Philip Huck. He became her close friend and companion for the rest of her life. As Bea got older, she relied more on Huck. She had a stroke in the mid-1970s and retired to England.

Death

Beatrice Lillie died in 1989 at the age of 94. She passed away in Henley-on-Thames, England. Her companion, John Philip Huck, died the very next day. They were both buried in a churchyard near Henley-on-Thames.

Film Appearances

Movies

• Exit Smiling (1927) as Violet
• The Show of Shows (1929) as a Performer
• Are You There? (1930) as Shirley Travis
• Dr. Rhythm (1938) as Mrs. Lorelei Dodge-Blodgett
• On Approval (1944) as Maria Wislack
• Around the World in 80 Days (1956) as a London revivalist leader
• Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) as Mrs. Meers

Short Films

• Beatrice Lillie (1929) as Herself
• Beatrice Lillie and Her Boyfriends (1930)
• Broadway Highlights No. 1 (1935) as Herself
• Broadway Highlights No. 2 (1935) as Herself

Stage Shows

Radio and TV Appearances

Bea Lillie starred in three radio shows:

• The Beatrice Lillie Show on NBC (1935)
• The Flying Red Horse Tavern on CBS (1936)
• Broadway Merry-Go-Round on the Blue Network (1937)

In 1950, she appeared on The Star Spangled Revue with Bob Hope. This show included her famous "One Dozen Double Damask Dinner Napkins" act.

Awards and Honors

• 1945: New York Drama Critics Award for Best Female Performance in a Musical – Seven Lively Arts
• 1948: New York Drama Critics Award for Best Female Performance in a Musical – Inside USA
• 1953: Special Tony Award – An Evening with Beatrice Lillie
• 1954: Sarah Siddons Award
• 1958: Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical – Ziegfeld Follies of 1957
• 1964: Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical – High Spirits

In 1960, Beatrice Lillie received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her star is located at 6404 Hollywood Blvd. A painting of her from 1948 or 1949 is kept at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in England.

Images for kids

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  Beatrice Lillie, photographed by Yousuf Karsh, 1948

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  A scene from Oh Boy!, showing Tom Powers with Lillie, London, 1919

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  Beatrice Lillie in "She's My Baby", 1927

See also

In Spanish: Beatrice Lillie para niños