Valerie Hobson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Valerie Hobson
Valerie Hobson in 1934
Born	Babette Louisa Valerie Hobson (1917-04-14)14 April 1917 Larne, County Antrim, Ireland
Died	13 November 1998(1998-11-13) (aged 81) Westminster, London, England
Years active	1932–1954
Spouse(s)	Anthony Havelock-Allan ​ ​ (m. 1939; div. 1952)​ John Profumo ​ ​ (m. 1954)​
Children	3, including David Profumo

Valerie Hobson (born Babette Louisa Valerie Hobson on 14 April 1917 – died 13 November 1998) was a talented British actress. She starred in many films from the 1930s to the early 1950s. Later in her life, she became known for her marriage to John Profumo, a British government minister.

Valerie's Early Life and Acting Start

Valerie Hobson was born in a place called Sandy Bay, near Larne in Northern Ireland. Her mother was Violette and her father, Robert Gordon Hobson, was a Commander in the Royal Navy.

Even before she turned 11 years old, Valerie began to learn acting and dancing. She studied at the famous Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, which is a special school for actors.

Becoming a Star: Valerie's Film Career

Valerie Hobson started her acting career in the 1930s. When she was just 17, she played Baroness Frankenstein in the movie Bride of Frankenstein (1935). In the same year, she also appeared in Werewolf of London, which was the first Hollywood movie about a werewolf.

The late 1940s brought Valerie some of her most famous roles. She played the grown-up Estella in David Lean's film Great Expectations (1946). She also starred as the kind Edith D'Ascoyne in the comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949).

Valerie's last big role was on stage in London. She played Mrs. Anna Leonowens in the musical The King and I. The show opened in 1953 and was very popular, running for 926 performances.

Life Beyond the Big Screen

In 1952, Valerie Hobson divorced her first husband, film producer Anthony Havelock-Allan. In 1954, she married John Profumo, who was a Member of Parliament (MP). An MP is a person elected to represent people in the government. After marrying John, Valerie decided to stop acting.

In 1963, John Profumo's public career faced a difficult time. Valerie stood by him and supported him through it all. After this, they both dedicated their lives to working for charity. They helped many people and causes together for the rest of Valerie's life.

Valerie had three children. Her eldest son, Simon, was born in 1944 and passed away in 1991. Her middle son, Mark, became a judge. Her youngest son, David Profumo, is an author. He wrote a book about his family.

Valerie Hobson passed away in 1998 when she was 81 years old. Her body was cremated, and her ashes were placed in a family vault and also scattered in Scotland.

Filmography