Peggy Ashcroft Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Peggy Ashcroft was born on December 22, 1907. She was an English actress. She died at the age of Eighty four years.

Early Life

Peggy Ashcroft was born Dame Edith Margaret Emily Ashcroft on December 22, 1907, in Croydon, Surrey. She was born to William Worsley Ashcroft and Violetta Maud, nee Bernheim. She later joined and studied at Woodford School. In 1923, she joined Central School of Speech and drama. She made her stage debut while still at school by staging in ‘Dear Brutus’.  In 1927, she graduated with London University’s Diploma in Dramatic Art. She later joined West End.

Career

In 1929, Peggy Ashcroft at first time appeared in a West End film ‘Jew Suss’ as Naemi. In 1930 she appeared as Desdemona in ‘Othello.’ In 1932, she joined the Old Vic Company. She later performed several Shakespeare heroines including appearing as Kate in ‘She Stoops to Conquer,’ as Mary Stuart in John Drinkwater’s new play and as Lady Teazle in ‘The School for Scandal.’

In 1933, she appeared as Ollolla Quintana in ‘The Wandering Jew.’ In 1935, she featured in ‘The 39 Steps’ as the Crofter’s wife, Margaret. In 1936, she featured as Ann Carpenter in ‘Rhodes of Africa.’ In 1937, she featured in the television film ‘Twelfth Night.’ In 1940, she appeared in ‘Channel Incident.’ In 1941, she featured as Flower Lisle11 in ‘Quiet Wedding.’

In 1954, Peggy Ashcroft featured in the radio program ‘The Duchess of Malfi BBC Third Programme.’ In 1959, she appeared in ‘The Nun’s Story’ as Mother Mathilde. In 1966, she featured in the radio program ‘Macbeth BBC Third Programme.’ In 1967, she appeared as a Guest Star in the television show ‘The Wednesday Play: Days in the Trees.’ In 1968, she played a role as Hannah in ‘Secret Ceremony.’

In 1969, she appeared as Belle in the film ‘Three Into Two Won’t Go.’ In 1971, she featured in ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’ as Mrs. Greville. She also appeared in the television film ‘Play of the Month: The Cherry Orchard’ as Ranevskaya. In 1973, she played a role in ‘The Pedestrian’ as Lady Gray. In 1977, she appeared as Lady Tattle in ‘Joseph Andrews.’

In 1978, Peggy Ashcroft featured in the television films ‘Edward & Mrs. Simpson’ as Queen Mary and in ‘Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie’s Picture’ as Lady G. In 1980, she featured in the television films ‘Caught on a Train’ as Frau Messner and in ‘Cream in My Coffee’ as Jean Wilsher. She also featured in ‘BBC2 Playhouse’. In 1982, she featured in ‘Play of the Month: Little Eyolf’ as The Rat Wife. 

In 1984, she played Mrs. Moore in ‘A Passage to India.’ She also appeared in the television film ‘The Jewel in the Crown’ as Barbie Batchelor. In 1986, she featured in the film ‘When the Wind Blows’ as Hilda Bloggs voice. In 1987, she played a role in ‘A Perfect Spy’ as Miss Dubber. In 1988, she featured in the film ‘Madame Sousatzka’ as Lady Emily.

Awards and Achievements

In 1951, Peggy Ashcroft received the Commander of the Order of the British Empire. In 1956, she won the Dame Commander of the Order. In 1989, she received the Venice Film Festival award for the film ‘She’s Been Away.’ In 1991, she won the Lawrence Olivier Award.

Personal Life

In 1929, Peggy Ashcroft got married to Rupert Hart-Davis with whom she divorced later. In 1934, she got married to Komisarjevsky with whom she divorced in 1936. In 1940, she got married to Jeremy Hutchinson with whom she had two children. She died on June 14, 1991, of stroke in London. She died at the age of Eighty three years old.