Charlotte Cornwell facts for kids

Charlotte Cornwell (born 26 April 1949 – died 16 January 2021) was a talented English actress and singer. She was also a respected acting teacher at the University of Southern California from 2003 to 2012.

Charlotte started her acting journey in 1971 with the Cambridge Theatre Company. This group performed at both the Bristol Old Vic and the Cambridge Arts Theatre. In 1974, she made her first movie appearance in the musical film Stardust. She continued acting in British and American films, TV shows, and plays until she retired in 2016. She was also a member of the famous Royal Shakespeare Company twice.

Early Life and Education

Charlotte Cornwell was born in Marylebone, London. Her parents were Ronald Cornwell and Jean Neal. Her brother was the journalist Rupert Cornwell. She also had two half-brothers from her father's first marriage. One was the cricketer Anthony Cornwell. The other was David Cornwell, who became a famous spy novelist known as John le Carré.

Charlotte's half-brother David encouraged her to become an actress. He even based a main character, an English actress named "Charlie," in his 1983 spy novel, The Little Drummer Girl, on Charlotte. She once said David was "the best brother a girl could have."

In 1970, Charlotte got into the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art (WDADA) in London. She played Dolly Levi in their play Hello Dolly!. Critics praised her performance, noting her "excellent voice" and singing ability. The next year, she played Beauty in The Love of Four Colonels.

Acting Career Highlights

After finishing drama school, Charlotte joined the Cambridge Theatre Company. She performed at the Bristol Old Vic and the Cambridge Arts Theatre. Her first role with them was in November 1971. She played Miss Brewster in Trelawny of the 'Wells'.

From 1971 to 1975, she played many different roles. These included Kate Hotspur in Shakespeare's Henry IV. She also played Becky in Sam Shepard's The Tooth of Crime. Another role was Queen Elizabeth I in Vivat! Vivat Regina!. She received special attention for playing Florence Nightingale in a 1973 play.

While working at the Old Vic, Charlotte appeared in the 1974 film Stardust. She also performed in plays in Scotland and at the Greenwich Theatre.

Charlotte was part of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1977 to 1980. There, she played Rosalind in As You Like It and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing. She also worked with the Royal National Theatre starting in 1984.

She performed in many plays in London's West End and in the United States. Some of these included Richard III and An Enemy of the People with Sir Ian McKellen. She also appeared in The Road to Mecca and A Little Night Music. In 2016, she was the Chorus in Henry V at Regent's Park.

Her film roles included The Krays (1990) and The Russia House (1990). She was also in White Hunter Black Heart (1990) and The Saint (1997). Later films included Ghosts of Mars (2001) and Dead Space: Aftermath (2010), where she did a voiceover.

Charlotte was on many TV shows. She had main roles in Rock Follies (1976-77) and No Excuses (1983). She also appeared in popular shows like Lovejoy, A Touch of Frost, Silent Witness, and Midsomer Murders. From 2004 to 2012, she taught at the University of Southern California School of Dramatic Arts. She then returned to acting in the UK.

Personal Life

Charlotte Cornwell had a daughter named Nancy Cranham. Nancy's father is actor Kenneth Cranham.

Charlotte passed away from cancer on 16 January 2021. She was 71 years old.