Janet Munro facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Janet Munro
Born	Janet Neilson Horsburgh (1934-09-28)28 September 1934 Blackpool, England
Died	6 December 1972(1972-12-06) (aged 38) London, England
Resting place	Golders Green Crematorium
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1957–1972
Known for	Swiss Family Robinson Darby O'Gill and the Little People Life for Ruth Third Man on the Mountain The Day the Earth Caught Fire
Spouse(s)	Tony Wright ​ ​ (m. 1956; div. 1959)​ Ian Hendry ​ ​ (m. 1963; div. 1971)​
Children	2
Parent(s)	Alex Munro Phyllis Robertshaw

Janet Munro (born Janet Neilson Horsburgh; 28 September 1934 – 6 December 1972) was a British actress. She became famous for her roles in several films. She won a Golden Globe Award for her acting in the film Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959). She was also nominated for a BAFTA Film Award for her role in Life for Ruth (1962).

Janet Munro starred in three Disney films. These were Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959), Third Man on the Mountain (1959), and Swiss Family Robinson (1960). She also appeared in other movies like The Trollenberg Terror (1958) and The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961).

Janet Munro's Life and Career

Early Life and Family

Janet Neilson Horsburgh was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, in 1934. Her father was Alex Munro, a Scottish comedian. Her mother was Phyllis Robertshaw. Janet used her father's stage name, Munro, for her acting career.

Janet grew up traveling with her father, often performing with him on stage. Her mother passed away when Janet was seven years old. Her father raised her at first. She remembered performing for soldiers during World War II. She would sing while wearing a kilt.

When she was ten, Janet moved to Embsay to live with her aunt and uncle for a while. Later, her father remarried, and she was raised by him and her stepmother. After leaving school, she worked in a shoe shop. However, her dream was always to become an actress.

Starting Her Acting Career

Janet's father wanted her to join his comedy act. But Janet wanted to be a serious actress. She got a job at a theater company as a student messenger. She learned about acting by watching and playing small parts. By the time she was 17, she was a stage manager for the company. She worked in towns like Preston, Oldham, and Hull.

Janet appeared on BBC TV in 1954 in a show called I Capture the Castle. She played the main character, Rose.

She also had a small role in the comedy film Small Hotel (1957). Janet started appearing regularly on British TV shows. These included ITV Television Playhouse and Armchair Theatre.

She also took on roles in films like the horror movie The Trollenberg Terror (1958) and The Young and the Guilty (1958). In 1958, she was chosen as "Miss English Television."

Working with Disney

Janet Munro's big break came in March 1958. She was chosen for the main female role in Disney's Darby O'Gill and the Little People (1959). Disney liked her so much that he signed her to a five-year contract.

Disney quickly cast her again in Third Man on the Mountain (1959). In this film, she acted alongside James MacArthur.

Janet made her first appearance on US television in a show called Berkeley Square (1959) for Hallmark Hall of Fame.

She then returned to England to film Tommy the Toreador (1959) with Tommy Steele. After that, she made her third film for Disney, Swiss Family Robinson (1960). She again acted with James MacArthur in this movie. The film was shot in the West Indies for five months.

Janet also appeared in The Horsemasters (1961) for Disney. This film was made in England for American television.

British Films and Later Roles

Janet Munro played the main female role in the science fiction film The Day the Earth Caught Fire (1961). This is one of her most well-known parts.

She also had the lead female role in Life for Ruth (1962). This film earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Female Actor.

Janet returned to Armchair Theatre for more episodes. She was the top-billed actress for the first time in the film Bitter Harvest (1963).

She also starred in Hide and Seek (1964) and A Jolly Bad Fellow (1964). She had a small appearance in Daylight Robbery (1964).

Return to Acting

Janet Munro took a break from acting for a few years to focus on her family. She returned to acting after her second marriage ended in 1968.

She appeared in TV shows like Vendetta and Thirty-Minute Theatre. She also had a supporting role in the film Sebastian (1968).

Janet traveled to New York to star in a TV version of The Admirable Crichton (1968). She had a small role in Cry Wolf (1969).

She also appeared in ITV Playhouse and had the main role in the TV series The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1969). Critics praised her acting in this series.

Her last roles were in Play for Today and several episodes of the TV series Adam Smith. In July 1971, she performed on stage in a play called Look – No Hands.

Personal Life

Janet Munro was married to actor Tony Wright from 1956 to 1959. She then married Ian Hendry in 1963. They had two children, Sally and Corrie. They lived on Pharaoh's Island.

Janet and Ian Hendry divorced in December 1971.

Death

Janet Munro passed away at the age of 38 on 6 December 1972. She collapsed at her home in Tufnell Park and was on her way to the hospital. Her death was caused by a heart condition. She was cremated and laid to rest at the Golders Green Crematorium.

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Janet Munro para niños