Nyree Dawn Porter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nyree Dawn Porter
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Porter photographed by Vivienne, 1960s
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| Born |
Ngaire Dawn Porter
January 22, 1936 |
| Died | April 10, 2001 (aged 65) Wandsworth, London, England
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| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1954–1998 |
| Spouse(s) |
Byron O'Leary
(m. 1959; died 1970)Robin Halstead
(m. 1975; div. 1987) |
| Children | 1 |
Nyree Dawn Porter OBE (born Ngaire Dawn Porter; 22 January 1936 – 10 April 2001) was a talented actress from New Zealand and Britain. She became famous for her roles in plays, movies, and especially on television.
Contents
Early Life and Acting Start
Nyree Dawn Porter was born in Napier, New Zealand, in 1936. Her acting journey began when she toured with the New Zealand Players Trust. She was praised for her performances in classic plays like The Merchant of Venice, where she played Jessica. She also appeared in musicals and comedy shows.
In 1958, Nyree moved to Britain. She had won a "Miss Cinema" talent contest organized by Rank, a big film company. The prize included a trip around the world and a chance to audition for a film in London. Even though the audition was mostly for publicity, she decided to stay in Britain and quickly found work in the theatre.
Her first major appearance in London's famous West End theatre district was in a show called Look Who's Here. She then played Connie in Neil Simon's play, Come Blow Your Horn. Nyree continued to act in many plays, including Sunday in the Park with George and Twelfth Night. Later, she toured Australia in plays like Beyond Reasonable Doubt and The King and I.
Television and Film Roles
Nyree Dawn Porter appeared in several television shows. One of her early roles was in The Avengers in 1961. She also played the main character in the BBC's 1964 TV version of Madame Bovary.
However, Nyree is most remembered for her role as Irene in the very popular BBC series The Forsyte Saga. This show was a huge hit and made her an international star. Nyree herself said that playing Irene gave her worldwide fame and opened many doors for her career.
After The Forsyte Saga, she continued to act in other TV series. She starred in the comedy show Never a Cross Word in 1968. Four years later, she appeared with Robert Vaughn in The Protectors, an action-adventure series. Nyree also played the main role in For Maddie with Love, a daytime show about a woman with a serious illness. This show ran for two seasons.
Nyree also acted in several films. These included Live Now, Pay Later (1962) and The Cracksman (1963). She also appeared in two horror movies: The House That Dripped Blood (1971) and From Beyond the Grave (1974). Her last film role was in Hilary and Jackie (1998), where she played the famous ballerina Dame Margot Fonteyn.
Awards and Special Honours
Nyree Dawn Porter received special recognition for her work. In 1970, she was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This is a special honour given by the British monarch for great achievements in public life.
In 1975, she won the Spanish TP de Oro award for 'Best Foreign Actress'. This award was for her role in The Protectors.
Personal Life
In 1975, Nyree married actor Robin Halstead. They had a daughter named Natalya Francesca Halstead. The couple later divorced in 1987.
Later Years and Death
Nyree Dawn Porter passed away in Wandsworth, London, in 2001. She was 65 years old and died from leukaemia, a type of cancer. Her ashes were buried at Putney Vale Crematorium in London.
Images for kids
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Nyree Dawn Porter in the 1960s
See also
In Spanish: Nyree Dawn Porter para niños
