Dorothy Hyson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dorothy Hyson, Lady Quayle
Born	Dorothy Wardell Heisen (1914-12-24)December 24, 1914 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	May 23, 1996(1996-05-23) (aged 81) London, England
Occupation	Stage actress
Spouse(s)	Robert Douglas ​ ​ (m. 1935; div. 1945)​ Sir Anthony Quayle ​ ​ (m. 1947; died 1989)​
Children	3

Dorothy Hyson, Lady Quayle (born Dorothy Wardell Heisen; December 24, 1914 – May 23, 1996) was an American actress. She was famous for her work in films and on stage, mostly in England. During World War II, she also worked as a codebreaker at a secret location called Bletchley Park.

Early Life and First Steps in Acting

Dorothy Hyson was the only child of two famous performers. Her mother, Dorothy Dickson, was a well-known actress on Broadway. Her father was Carl Constantine Hyson, a popular actor.

Dorothy started acting very young. At just three years old, she appeared in a silent film. She played her mother's daughter in the movie. Later, Dorothy moved to England with her parents. Her mother became one of the highest-paid actresses in London.

Dorothy, often called "Little Dot," went to school in England and France. She also acted in several plays in London's West End. One of her early roles was in Quality Street. When she was 13, another famous actress, Sybil Thorndike, saw her perform. Sybil told Dorothy's mother, "She's going to be a star."

Dorothy Hyson's Acting Career

After finishing school in Paris, Dorothy Hyson continued her acting career. At 19, she appeared in the film Soldiers of the King. She also made her professional stage debut in a play called Flies in the Sun.

Dorothy worked very hard, often filming movies during the day and performing on stage at night. This busy schedule sometimes made her tired. She became well-known for her roles in light comedies in the West End. A big success for her was in 1936, when she starred in a play based on Jane Austen's book Pride and Prejudice. In 1938, she played Titania in a famous play called A Midsummer Night's Dream.

During World War II, Dorothy continued to act in films. These included You Will Remember and the musical comedy Spare a Copper. She also performed in various stage shows.

Secret Work at Bletchley Park

During World War II, Dorothy Hyson took on a very important and secret job. She worked at Bletchley Park, a top-secret place where British codebreakers worked. Her job was to be a cryptographer, which means she helped to break secret codes.

Dorothy was part of a special team of twelve people. This team successfully broke a German diplomatic code known as Floradora. This work was very difficult and required long hours, often including night shifts. It was a crucial part of the war effort.

While working at Bletchley Park, Dorothy was visited by Anthony Quayle. He later became her second husband. He remembered that she was "ill and exhausted" from her demanding work there.

Later Life and Family

After the war, Dorothy Hyson returned to acting in the West End. She was known for her glamorous presence on stage. She joined a famous theater company in 1945.

Dorothy was married twice. Her first marriage was to actor Robert Douglas from 1935 to 1945. In 1947, she married actor and director Sir Anthony Quayle. After marrying Anthony, Dorothy decided to retire from acting. She wanted to focus on raising their three children.

Death

Dorothy Hyson's husband, Anthony Quayle, passed away in 1989. Dorothy herself died from a stroke on May 23, 1996, when she was 81 years old. This was a year after her mother, who lived to be 102.

Filmography

Stage Performances

See also

In Spanish: Dorothy Hyson para niños