Brenda de Banzie

Brenda Doreen Mignon de Banzie (28 July 1909 – 5 March 1981) was a notable British actress who graced both the stage and screen with her performances. Born to Edward Thomas de Banzie, a prominent conductor and musical director, and his second wife Dorothy, de Banzie grew up in a musically affluent family residing in Salford, Lancashire. Her impact in the world of films was marked by various significant roles. Among her most notable performances was as Maggie Hobson in David Lean's film Hobson's Choice (1954), alongside John Mills and Charles Laughton. However, it was reported that Laughton was not fond of her as he thought she wasn't executing her part correctly, leading to a few on-set controversies. She also delivered a standout performance in the 1960 film adaptation of John Osborne's The Entertainer, where she portrayed Phoebe Rice, the luckless wife of comedian Archie Rice. This significant role earned her a Tony Award nomination when she appeared on Broadway in the original play. Her other memorable roles include The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, Too Many Crooks (1959), and The Pink Panther (1963) directed by Blake Edwards. De Banzie's life was tragically cut short at 71 when she passed away due to complications following brain surgery.