Brenda Forbes

Biography

Brenda Forbes was best known for her distinguished career on Broadway, where she first made an indelible impression as Elizabeth Barrett (Katharine Cornell)'s maid Wilson in 'The Barretts of Wimpole Street' (1935). Born to a theatrical family, Brenda left her native England while in her teens to join her mother (Mary Forbes), who already worked in Hollywood as a character actress. After making her stage bow at the Vine Street Theatre, she went on to Broadway playing quintessential British parts in classical plays such as 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'My Fair Lady' (in 1976, as Mrs. Higgins). In 1967, she was nominated for a Tony Award for 'The Loves of Cass McGuire', and, in 1975, for a Joseph Jefferson Award as Best Actress in a Principal Role for 'The Sea' at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Brenda was also acclaimed for her satirical performances in revue, but neither her comedic flair nor her eccentric characterizations came to the fore during her desultory motion picture carer. She only made six films in the course of nine years, including two big budget productions at MGM (Mrs. Miniver (1942) and The White Cliffs of Dover (1944)); the roles were small, i.e. as maids or nurses. In the 1950s, she returned to the celluloid medium in meatier roles, albeit as a character actress, and on the small screen. She appeared three times opposite Katharine Hepburn in made-for-TV movies.