Dinah Sheridan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dinah Sheridan
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Dinah Nadyejda Ginsburg
17 September 1920 |
| Died | 25 November 2012 (aged 92) Northwood, London, England
|
| Resting place | Northwood Cemetery, Northwood, London, England |
| Alma mater | Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active |
|
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Partner(s) | John Merivale (1968–1986) |
| Children | 3, including Jeremy and Jenny Hanley |
Dinah Sheridan (born Dinah Nadyejda Ginsburg; 17 September 1920 – 25 November 2012) was a famous English actress. Her career lasted for over 70 years! She was best known for her roles in the movies Genevieve (1953) and The Railway Children (1970). She also starred in the long-running BBC comedy show Don't Wait Up. Dinah Sheridan also had a very successful career on stage in London's West End.
Contents
Early Life and First Roles
Dinah Sheridan was born Dinah Nadyejda Ginsburg in Finchley, London. Her parents were Charlotte and James Ginsburg. They were photographers known as "Studio Lisa."
Her parents were even asked by the Queen Mother and Elizabeth II to take pictures of the royal family. Dinah went to Sherrards School and the Italia Conti Stage School. This school helped her learn how to act.
Starting Her Acting Career
In 1932, when she was just 11 years old, Dinah started acting professionally. Her first show was Where the Rainbow Ends. At 14, she changed her name to Dinah Sheridan. She picked it from a phone book!
She then played Wendy in a popular play called Peter Pan. Dinah was the first actress to play both Peter Pan and Wendy. She toured with the show from 1934 to 1936. Her parents also changed their last name to Sheridan at this time.
Early Movies and Stage Plays
Dinah's first movie was Give My Heart in 1935. She also appeared in Father Steps Out (1937). Her first main role was in Irish and Proud of It (1938). She also performed in many stage plays.
A Television Pioneer
Dinah Sheridan was one of the very first actresses to appear on television. This was in 1936, when TV was brand new! She was interviewed on a BBC TV show called Picture Page.
The BBC had just started the world's first regular TV service that year. Dinah also acted in early TV shows. She was in The Maker of Dreams (1937). She also starred in Gallows Glorious (1938). This was the first ever three-act play shown on television.
Dinah Sheridan's Film Career
Dinah paused her movie career at the start of World War II. She worked for two years as an ambulance driver. After marrying Jimmy Hanley in 1942, she appeared in several movies with him.
Notable Films of the 1940s and 1950s
Some of her important films in the 1940s included Salute John Citizen (1942) and Get Cracking (1943). She also played the main roles in The Hills of Donegal (1948) and The Story of Shirley Yorke (1949).
In 1951, Dinah became more widely known for her role in Where No Vultures Fly. This film was about African wildlife. It was special because it was mostly filmed in Africa. The movie was very popular and won awards.
She then appeared in The Sound Barrier (1952). This film was directed by the famous David Lean. It won many awards, including BAFTAs and an Academy Award. Dinah was happy to take a supporting role to work with Lean.
Becoming a Top Star
Dinah starred with Dirk Bogarde in Appointment in London (1952). She also had a role in The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan (1953). This movie was made to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In 1953, Dinah Sheridan was named Britain's top female box-office star! This meant her movies brought in the most money.
Most Famous Movie Roles
One of her most loved roles was Wendy McKim in the comedy Genevieve (1953). Her acting in this movie was praised for being very funny and stylish. The film also won several awards.
Her other most memorable movie role was as Mrs. Waterbury. She played the mother in the famous film The Railway Children (1970). After this, she made only one more cinema film. It was The Mirror Crack'd (1980), which starred Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson.
Returning to the Stage
Dinah's second husband, John Davis, asked her to stop acting. He wanted her to stay home with their children. After they divorced in 1965, Dinah went back to acting. She started with a comedy play called Let's All Go Down the Strand (1967).
Success in London's West End
This play began a very successful time for Dinah in London's West End theatres. She performed in many comedies and dramas for the next 25 years. She starred in A Boston Story (1968) and Out of the Question (1969).
She also played the main role in Move Over Mrs Markham (1972). Other plays included The Card (1973) and A Murder Is Announced (1977). She also starred with Donald Sinden in Noël Coward's Present Laughter (1981). This play was even shown on BBC Television.
In 1978 and 1979, Dinah toured the UK with John Gielgud in a play called Half Life. They also took the play to Canada.
Television Appearances
Dinah Sheridan had a long and successful career in television. She made history by appearing in early TV shows in the 1930s. Later, she worked a lot in TV.
Guest Roles in Popular Series
She made guest appearances in many popular TV series. These included Armchair Theatre (1969) and Sykes (1979). She also appeared in Crown Court (1974).
Major TV Plays and Doctor Who
Dinah also featured in several big television plays. These were part of BBC's Play of the Month and Play for Today series. In 1983, she made a special guest appearance in the science fiction series Doctor Who. She played the Time Lady Chancellor Flavia in the 20th-anniversary special, "The Five Doctors".
Later TV Successes
She co-starred with her friend Tony Britton and Nigel Havers in the British comedy show Don't Wait Up. This show was very popular, with over 15 million viewers!
She was also a regular in the ITV series The Winning Streak (1985). Her last role was in 1999. She played Kathleen Gilmore in the Jonathan Creek TV episode "Miracle in Crooked Lane".
In 1979, Dinah Sheridan was the subject of the British TV show This Is Your Life. Many famous friends appeared on the show to celebrate her career.
Dinah Sheridan's Family Life
Dinah Sheridan was married four times. She had three children with her first husband, actor Jimmy Hanley. They were married from 1942 to 1952.
Her second husband was business executive John Davis. They were married from 1954 to 1965. Later, she married actor John Merivale (1986–1990). Her last husband was Aubrey Ison (1992–2007).
Her son, Jeremy Hanley, became an accountant and a government minister. Her daughter, Jenny Hanley, became an actress. She also co-presented the British TV series Magpie. Dinah Sheridan passed away peacefully at her home in Northwood, London, on 25 November 2012. She was 92 years old.
Selected filmography
- Landslide (1937) – Dinah Shaw
- Behind Your Back (1937) – Kitty Hogan
- Father Steps Out (1937) – Helen Hardcastle
- Irish and Proud of It (1938) – Moira Flaherty
- Full Speed Ahead (1940) – Joan Barrymore
- Salute John Citizen (1942) – Evie
- Get Cracking (1943) – Mary Pemberton
- 29 Acacia Avenue (1945) – Pepper
- For You Alone (1945) – Stella White
- Murder in Reverse (1945) – Jill Masterick
- The Hills of Donegal (1947) – Eileen Hannay
- Calling Paul Temple (1948) – Steve Temple
- The Story of Shirley Yorke (1948) – Shirley Yorke
- The Huggetts Abroad (1949) – Jane Huggett
- Dark Secret (1949) – Valerie Merryman
- Paul Temple's Triumph (1950) – Steve Temple
- Blackout (1950) – Pat Dale
- No Trace (1950) – Linda
- Where No Vultures Fly (1951) – Mary Payton
- The Sound Barrier (1952) – Jess Peel
- Appointment in London (1952) – Eve Canyon
- The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan (1953) – Grace Marston
- Genevieve (1953) – Wendy McKim
- The Railway Children (1970) – Mrs. Waterbury
- The Mirror Crack'd (1980) – Lady Amanda Ridgeley
- Jonathan Creek (1999) - Kathleen Gilmore
