Cathleen Nesbitt

**Cathleen Nesbitt CBE (born Kathleen Mary Nesbitt)** was an acclaimed English actress born in Birkenhead, Cheshire, England in 1888, with Welsh and Irish heritage. Her parents were Thomas and Mary Catherine Nesbitt. She was educated in Lisieux, France, and at the Queen's University of Belfast and the Sorbonne. She made her theatrical debut in 1910 in London with Arthur Wing Pinero's _The Cabinet Minister_. She joined the Irish Players in 1911 and later ventured to Broadway debuting in _The Well of the Saints_. Her Broadway portfolio was enlarged with roles in _Quinneys_ (1915) and John Galsworthy's _Justice_ (1916). She played alongside literary legend John Barrymore as his leading lady in his first dramatic stage role. Her film debut was in the silent _A Star Over Night_ (1919) and _The Faithful Heart_ (1922). She returned to England, continuing her illustrious acting career in both films and theatre. In the 1930s, she transitioned to talkies. After a gap in film roles, she made her Hollywood debut in _Three Coins in the Fountain_ (1954). She played Cary Grant's Grandmother Janou in _An Affair to Remember_ (1957) and was part of the ensemble cast of _Separate Tables_. In the '50s and '60s, she featured on Broadway with plays like _Gigi_, _Sabrina Fair_, and _Anastasia_. In her 90s, she returned to Broadway reprising her role as Mrs. Higgins in _My Fair Lady_. She also transitioned to television, featuring in series like _The Farmer's Daughter_ from 1963 to 1966. Her final film was _Never Never Land_ in 1980.