Muriel Pavlow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Muriel Pavlow
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Muriel Pavlow in 'Reach for The Sky'
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| Born |
Muriel Lilian Pavlow
27 June 1921 London, England
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| Died | 19 January 2019 (aged 97) London, England
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1934–2009 |
| Spouse(s) |
Derek Farr
(m. 1947; died 1986) |
Muriel Lilian Pavlow (born June 27, 1921 – died January 19, 2019) was a talented English actress. She was known for her many roles in films and on television. Her mother was French, and her father was Russian.
Contents
Discovering Muriel Pavlow's Early Life and Career
Muriel was born in Lewisham, a part of south-east London. Her father, Boris Pavlov, was a salesman from Russia, and her mother, Germaine, was Swiss-French. Her family later changed their last name to Pavlow to sound more British. Muriel grew up in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, and went to school there and in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Starting Young: Muriel's First Acting Roles
Muriel began acting as a child. She worked with famous actors like John Gielgud and the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre. Her very first movie appearance was when she was just 13 years old. It was a short role in the musical Sing As We Go (1934). This movie was made to cheer people up during tough times.
In December 1937, at 16, Muriel played Gretel in a BBC Television show of Hansel and Gretel. This was a very early TV broadcast! Years later, when she was in her 90s, she could say she was one of the oldest living people to have appeared on TV.
After this, she acted in a play called Dear Octopus (1938) in London. She performed alongside John Gielgud again.
Acting During Wartime and Beyond
During the Second World War, Muriel was part of ENSA. This was a group that entertained British soldiers and factory workers. She also started acting more in movies. In 1941, she starred in a play called Old Acquaintance in London's West End.
Becoming a Film Star: Muriel's Famous Movies
Muriel Pavlow became well-known for her film roles. She played Maria, a young Maltese woman, in Malta Story (1953) with Alec Guinness. She was also Joy, the girlfriend of Simon Sparrow, in the popular comedy Doctor in the House (1954).
One of her most famous roles was Thelma Bader in Reach for the Sky (1956). She played the wife of the brave fighter pilot Douglas Bader, who was played by Kenneth More. Muriel really wanted this role after reading about Douglas Bader.
Continuing Her Career: Stage and Television Appearances
Muriel also performed on stage with her husband, Derek Farr. They were in plays like Odd Man In (1957) and Wolf's Clothing (1959). She even traveled to Australia twice to perform these plays. In 1961, she appeared in the mystery film Murder, She Said.
Even when movie roles became fewer, Muriel kept acting in plays. She joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1954. She played important roles in plays like Othello and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Later, she played Miss Marple in a play, which critics praised. She also acted in a play called 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' in Vienna in 2003.
Muriel also appeared in many TV shows. She played Queen Victoria in The Ravelled Thread (1978). She had small parts in popular series like The Bill, House of Cards, Men Behaving Badly, and Black Books. In 2009, she had her final film role in Glorious 39.
Muriel Pavlow's Personal Life
Muriel was married to the actor Derek Farr. They got married in 1947 and stayed together until he passed away in 1986. They first met in 1941 while filming Quiet Wedding. They often acted together in both plays and movies. Muriel and Derek did not have any children. She was survived by her three nieces and two nephews.
Later in her life, Muriel lived at Denville Hall. This is a special care home and charity for actors. She was even part of its management team. She lived there until she became ill and passed away at the age of 97.
See also
In Spanish: Muriel Pavlow para niños
