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{{Short description|Scottish actress}}
{{Short description|Scottish actress (1901–1976)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Frieda Inescort
| name = Frieda Inescort
| image = Frieda Inescort in Pride and Prejudice trailer.jpg
| image = Frieda Inescort.png
| caption = Inescort in the trailer for ''[[Pride and Prejudice (1940 film)|Pride and Prejudice]]'' (1940)
| caption = Frieda Inescort
| birth_name = Frieda Wrightman
| birth_name = Frieda Wrightman
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1901|06|29}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1901|06|29}}
| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], [[Midlothian]], Scotland
| birth_place = [[Edinburgh]], [[Midlothian]], Scotland
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1976|02|26|1901|06|29}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1976|02|26|1901|06|29}}
| death_place = [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles]], California, U.S.
| death_place = [[Woodland Hills, Los Angeles]], California, U.S.
| occupation = Actress
| occupation = Actress
| yearsactive = 1935–1961
| yearsactive = 1935–1961
| spouse = {{Marriage|Ben Ray Redman|1926|1961|reason=his death}}
| spouse = {{Marriage|Ben Ray Redman|1926|1961|reason=his death}}
}}
}}


'''Frieda Inescort''' (born '''Frieda Wrightman''', 29 June 1901 &ndash; 26 February 1976) was a Scottish-born actress best known for creating the role of Sorel Bliss in [[Noël Coward]]'s play ''[[Hay Fever (play)|Hay Fever]]'' on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]].<ref name=ibdb>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/frieda-inescort-67888|title=Frieda Inescort – Broadway Cast & Staff - IBDB|first=The Broadway|last=League|website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> She also played the shingled lady in [[John Galsworthy]]'s 1927 Broadway production ''[[Escape (1927 play)|Escape]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/escape-10472|title=Escape – Broadway Play – Original - IBDB|first=The Broadway|last=League|website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref>
'''Frieda Inescort''' (born '''Frieda Wrightman''', 29 June 1901 &ndash; 26 February 1976) was a [[Scotland|Scottish]] actress best known for creating the role of Sorel Bliss in [[Noël Coward]]'s play ''[[Hay Fever (play)|Hay Fever]]'' on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]].<ref name=ibdb>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/frieda-inescort-67888|title=Frieda Inescort – Broadway Cast & Staff - IBDB|first=The Broadway|last=League|website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> She also played the shingled lady in [[John Galsworthy]]'s 1927 Broadway production ''[[Escape (1927 play)|Escape]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/escape-10472|title=Escape – Broadway Play – Original - IBDB|first=The Broadway|last=League|website=www.ibdb.com}}</ref> and Caroline Bingley in the 1940 film of [[Jane Austen]]'s [[Pride and Prejudice]].


==Early years==
==Early years==
Born in [[Edinburgh]], Inescort was the daughter of Scots-born journalist John "Jock" Wrightman and actress Elaine Inescourt,<ref name="wb">{{cite news|title=Frieda Inescort Coming to City; a Varied Career|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4187472/wilkesbarre_times_leader_the_evening|agency=The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News|date=9 April 1924|location=Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre|page=4|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=31 January 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> who was of German and Polish descent. They married in 1896 but parted ways when their daughter was still a young child.
Born in [[Edinburgh]], Inescort was the daughter of Scots-born journalist John "Jock" Wrightman and actress Elaine Inescourt ({{nee}} Charlotte Elizabeth Ihle),<ref>[https://www.gsarchive.net/whowaswho/I-J/InescortElaine.htm Elaine Inescourt profile], gsarchive.net. Accessed May 13, 2023.</ref><ref name="wb">{{cite news|title=Frieda Inescort Coming to City; a Varied Career|newspaper=Wilkes-Barre Times Leader |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4187472/wilkesbarre_times_leader_the_evening|agency=The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News|date=9 April 1924|location=Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre|page=4|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=31 January 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> who was of German and Polish descent. They married in 1896 but parted ways when their daughter was still a young child.


While she lived in Britain, Inescort wrote for a newspaper in London<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hale|first1=Marian|title=Could You Fill Two Jobs? This Girl Can -- She Acts Nights, Writes by Day|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4178014/times_herald/|agency=Times Herald|date=26 May 1922|location=New York, Olean|page=22|via=Newspapers.com|access-date = 30 January 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> and worked as secretary to Lord Astor.<ref name=bde/> (Another source says that she was secretary to [[Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor|Lady Astor]].)<ref>{{cite news|title=An Unaffected Movie Actress|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4188014/the_hutchinson_news/|agency=The Hutchinson News|date=14 August 1936|location=Kansas, Hutchinson|page=5|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=31 January 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref>
While she lived in Britain, Inescort wrote for a newspaper in London<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hale|first1=Marian|title=Could You Fill Two Jobs? This Girl Can -- She Acts Nights, Writes by Day|newspaper=Times Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4178014/times_herald/|agency=Times Herald|date=26 May 1922|location=New York, Olean|page=22|via=Newspapers.com|access-date = 30 January 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> and worked as secretary to Lord Astor.<ref name=bde/> (Another source says that she was secretary to [[Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor|Lady Astor]].)<ref>{{cite news|title=An Unaffected Movie Actress|newspaper=The Hutchinson News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4188014/the_hutchinson_news/|agency=The Hutchinson News|date=14 August 1936|location=Kansas, Hutchinson|page=5|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=31 January 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref>


After going to the United States, she not only acted but also worked as associate editor of ''The Exporter's Encyclopedia''.<ref name="bde">{{cite news|last1=Maurel|first1=Mabel|title=Viscount Astor's Former Secretary Now Actress in "Truth About Bladys"|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4177895/the_brooklyn_daily_eagle|agency=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|date=30 April 1922|location=New York, Brooklyn|page=47|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=30 January 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref>
After going to the United States, she not only acted but also worked as associate editor of ''The Exporter's Encyclopedia''.<ref name="bde">{{cite news|last1=Maurel|first1=Mabel|title=Viscount Astor's Former Secretary Now Actress in "Truth About Bladys"|newspaper=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/4177895/the_brooklyn_daily_eagle|agency=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|date=30 April 1922|location=New York, Brooklyn|page=47|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=30 January 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref>


==Stage==
==Stage==
Line 29: Line 29:
==Film==
==Film==
[[File:Frieda inescort.jpg|thumb|right|Frieda Inescort]]
[[File:Frieda inescort.jpg|thumb|right|Frieda Inescort]]
Frieda Wrightman adopted her mother's surname as her professional name and moved to [[Hollywood]] and made her film debut in ''[[The Dark Angel (1935 film)|The Dark Angel]]'' (1935). Her other films include ''[[Mary of Scotland (film)|Mary of Scotland]]'' (1936), ''[[The Letter (1940 film)|The Letter]]'' (1940), ''[[The Trial of Mary Dugan (1941 film)|The Trial of Mary Dugan]]'' (1941), ''[[You'll Never Get Rich]]'' (1941) and ''[[A Place in the Sun (1951 film)|A Place in the Sun]]'' (1951).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/frieda-inescort-p34422/filmography|title=Frieda Inescort - Movies and Filmography - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref>
Frieda Wrightman adopted her mother's surname as her professional name and moved to [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]] and made her film debut in ''[[The Dark Angel (1935 film)|The Dark Angel]]'' (1935). Her other films include ''[[Mary of Scotland (film)|Mary of Scotland]]'' (1936), ''[[Give Me Your Heart (film)|Give Me Your Heart]]'' (1936), "[[Beauty for the Asking]] (1939), ''[[The Letter (1940 film)|The Letter]]'' (1940), ''[[The Trial of Mary Dugan (1941 film)|The Trial of Mary Dugan]]'' (1941), ''[[You'll Never Get Rich]]'' (1941) and ''[[A Place in the Sun (1951 film)|A Place in the Sun]]'' (1951).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/frieda-inescort-p34422/filmography|title=Frieda Inescort - Movies and Filmography - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref>


She appeared with [[Laurence Olivier]] and [[Greer Garson]] as the conniving Caroline Bingley in the 1940 film version of ''[[Pride and Prejudice (1940 film)|Pride and Prejudice]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/pride-and-prejudice-v39130/cast-crew|title=Pride and Prejudice (1940) - Robert Z. Leonard - Cast and Crew - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref> She had a leading role in ''Call It a Day'', a 1937 film in which she appeared with [[Olivia de Havilland]], Bonita Granville, Roland Young, and Ian Hunter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/call-it-a-day-v86441|title=Call It a Day (1937) - Archie Mayo - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref> In 1955 Inescort appeared as Mrs. Lawrence in the movie ''[[Foxfire (1955 film)|Foxfire]]'' starring [[Jeff Chandler]] and [[Jane Russell]]. She appeared in one episode of ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' as Hope Quentin in "The Case of the Jealous Journalist" (season 5, 1961).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/perry-mason-the-case-of-the-jealous-journalist-v407889/cast-crew|title=Perry Mason: The Case of the Jealous Journalist (1961) - John English - Cast and Crew - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref>
She appeared with [[Laurence Olivier]] and [[Greer Garson]] as the conniving Caroline Bingley in the 1940 film version of ''[[Pride and Prejudice (1940 film)|Pride and Prejudice]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/pride-and-prejudice-v39130/cast-crew|title=Pride and Prejudice (1940) - Robert Z. Leonard - Cast and Crew - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref> She had a leading role in ''[[Call It a Day]]'', a 1937 film in which she appeared with [[Olivia de Havilland]], Bonita Granville, Roland Young, and Ian Hunter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/call-it-a-day-v86441|title=Call It a Day (1937) - Archie Mayo - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref> In 1955 Inescort appeared as Mrs. Lawrence in the movie ''[[Foxfire (1955 film)|Foxfire]]'' starring [[Jeff Chandler]] and [[Jane Russell]]. She appeared in one episode of ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' as Hope Quentin in "The Case of the Jealous Journalist" (season 5, 1961).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/perry-mason-the-case-of-the-jealous-journalist-v407889/cast-crew|title=Perry Mason: The Case of the Jealous Journalist (1961) - John English - Cast and Crew - AllMovie|website=AllMovie}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
On 2 August 1961, she and her husband since 1926, Ben Ray Redman, dined out. Redman had been despondent for some time. Returning home before her, he went upstairs to bed. He then called Frieda, informing her that he was depressed over the state of the world and had taken 12 sedative pills. By the time the paramedics arrived, he had died, a suicide at the age of 65.<ref>{{cite news|title=Writer Redman Takes Own Life|url=http://www.playbillvault.com/Person/Detail/37515/Frieda-Inescort|agency=Oshkosh Daily Northwestern|date=3 August 1961|location=Wisconsin, Oshkosh|page=9|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date= 31 January 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> He had been working as a writer for the ''[[Saturday Review (U.S. magazine)|Saturday Review]]'' and was involved in the translation of European classics into English.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/bookshopdoor/signature.cfm?item=54#1|title=Ben Ray Redman: The Greenwich Village Bookshop Door|website=norman.hrc.utexas.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/11622.Ben_Ray_Redman|title=Books by Ben Ray Redman (Author of The Works of Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels)|website=www.goodreads.com}}</ref>
On 2 August 1961, she and her husband since 1926, Ben Ray Redman, dined out. Redman had been despondent for some time. Returning home before her, he went upstairs to bed. He then called Frieda, informing her that he was depressed over the state of the world and had taken 12 sedative pills. By the time the paramedics arrived, he had died, a suicide at the age of 65.<ref>{{cite news|title=Writer Redman Takes Own Life|url=http://www.playbillvault.com/Person/Detail/37515/Frieda-Inescort|agency=Oshkosh Daily Northwestern|date=3 August 1961|location=Wisconsin, Oshkosh|page=9|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|access-date= 31 January 2016}} {{Open access}}</ref> He had been working as a writer for the ''[[Saturday Review (U.S. magazine)|Saturday Review]]'' and was involved in the translation of European classics into English.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://norman.hrc.utexas.edu/bookshopdoor/signature.cfm?item=54#1|title=Ben Ray Redman: The Greenwich Village Bookshop Door|website=norman.hrc.utexas.edu}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/11622.Ben_Ray_Redman|title=Books by Ben Ray Redman (Author of The Works of Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels)|website=www.goodreads.com}}</ref>


Inescort had been diagnosed with [[multiple sclerosis]] in 1932.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P_ODoCwz2EsC&q=frieda+inescort+multiple+sclerosis&pg=PA220|title=Evelyn Brent: The Life and Films of Hollywood's Lady Crook|first1=Lynn|last1=Kear|first2=James|last2=King|date=21 November 2012|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786454686|via=Google Books}}</ref> Her disease accelerated after her husband's death, and she was using a wheelchair by the mid 1960s. On 7 July 1964, her estranged mother, British actress Elaine Inescourt, died in Brighton, England, aged 87.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gsarchive.net/whowaswho/I-J/InescortElaine.htm|title=Elaine Inescort|website=gsarchive.net}}</ref> Frieda worked as much as possible for the funding of multiple sclerosis research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classic-monsters.com/frieda-inescort/|title=Frieda Inescort - Classic Monsters|date=30 March 2015}}</ref> She was often seen in the Hollywood area seated in her wheelchair, collecting donations outside supermarkets and in malls.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classicimages.com/1996/april/friedainescort.shtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20010715075843/http://www.classicimages.com/1996/april/friedainescort.shtml|url-status=dead|title=Frieda Inescort|date=15 July 2001|archive-date=15 July 2001}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}}
Inescort had been diagnosed with [[multiple sclerosis]] in 1932.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P_ODoCwz2EsC&q=frieda+inescort+multiple+sclerosis&pg=PA220|title=Evelyn Brent: The Life and Films of Hollywood's Lady Crook|first1=Lynn|last1=Kear|first2=James|last2=King|date=21 November 2012|publisher=McFarland|isbn=9780786454686|via=Google Books}}</ref> Her disease accelerated after her husband's death, and she was using a wheelchair by the mid-1960s. On 7 July 1964, her estranged mother, British actress Elaine Inescourt, died in [[Brighton]], England, aged 87.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gsarchive.net/whowaswho/I-J/InescortElaine.htm|title=Elaine Inescort|website=gsarchive.net}}</ref> Frieda worked as much as possible for the funding of multiple sclerosis research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classic-monsters.com/frieda-inescort/|title=Frieda Inescort - Classic Monsters|date=30 March 2015}}</ref> She was often seen in the Hollywood area seated in her wheelchair, collecting donations outside supermarkets and in malls.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classicimages.com/1996/april/friedainescort.shtml|archive-url=https://archive.today/20010715075843/http://www.classicimages.com/1996/april/friedainescort.shtml|url-status=dead|title=Frieda Inescort|date=15 July 2001|archive-date=15 July 2001}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=June 2010}}


==Death==
==Death==
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==Partial filmography==
==Partial filmography==
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
{{div col|colwidth=32em}}
* ''[[The Dark Angel (1935 film)|The Dark Angel]]'' (1935) - Ann West
* ''[[The Dark Angel (1935 film)|The Dark Angel]]'' (1935) as Ann West
* ''[[If You Could Only Cook]]'' (1935) - Evelyn Fletcher
* ''[[If You Could Only Cook]]'' (1935) as Evelyn Fletcher
* ''[[The Garden Murder Case (film)|The Garden Murder Case]]'' (1936) - Mrs. Fenwicke-Ralston
* ''[[The Garden Murder Case (film)|The Garden Murder Case]]'' (1936) as Mrs. Fenwicke-Ralston
* ''[[The King Steps Out]]'' (1936) - Princess Helena
* ''[[The King Steps Out]]'' (1936) as Princess Helena
* ''[[Mary of Scotland (film)|Mary of Scotland]]'' (1936) - Mary Beaton
* ''[[Mary of Scotland (film)|Mary of Scotland]]'' (1936) as Mary Beaton
* ''[[Hollywood Boulevard (1936 film)|Hollywood Boulevard]]'' (1936) - Alice Winslow
* ''[[Hollywood Boulevard (1936 film)|Hollywood Boulevard]]'' (1936) as Alice Winslow
* ''[[Give Me Your Heart (film)|Give Me Your Heart]]'' (1936) - Rosamond Melford
* ''[[Give Me Your Heart (film)|Give Me Your Heart]]'' (1936) as Rosamond Melford
* ''[[The Great O'Malley]]'' (1937) - Mrs. Phillips
* ''[[The Great O'Malley]]'' (1937) as Mrs. Phillips
* ''[[Call It a Day]]'' (1937) - Dorothy Hilton
* ''[[Call It a Day]]'' (1937) as Dorothy Hilton
* ''[[Another Dawn (1937 film)|Another Dawn]]'' (1937) - Grace Roark
* ''[[Another Dawn (1937 film)|Another Dawn]]'' (1937) as Grace Roark
* ''[[Portia on Trial]]'' (1937) - Portia Merriman
* ''[[Portia on Trial]]'' (1937) as Portia Merriman
* ''[[Woman Doctor]]'' (1939) - Dr. Judith Randall Graeme
* ''[[Woman Doctor]]'' (1939) as Dr. Judith Randall Graeme
* ''[[Beauty for the Asking]]'' (1939) - Flora Barton-Williams
* ''[[Beauty for the Asking]]'' (1939) as Flora Barton-Williams
* ''[[The Zero Hour (1939 film)|The Zero Hour]]'' (1939) - Linda Marsh
* ''[[The Zero Hour (1939 film)|The Zero Hour]]'' (1939) as Linda Marsh
* ''[[Tarzan Finds a Son!]]'' (1939) - Mrs. August Lancing
* ''[[Tarzan Finds a Son!]]'' (1939) as Mrs. August Lancing
* ''[[A Woman Is the Judge]]'' (1939) - Mary Cabot
* ''[[A Woman Is the Judge]]'' (1939) as Mary Cabot
* ''[[Convicted Woman]]'' (1940) - Attorney Mary Ellis
* ''[[Convicted Woman]]'' (1940) as Attorney Mary Ellis
* ''[[Pride and Prejudice (1940 film)|Pride and Prejudice]]'' (1940) - Miss Bingley
* ''[[Pride and Prejudice (1940 film)|Pride and Prejudice]]'' (1940) as Miss Bingley
* ''[[The Letter (1940 film)|The Letter]]'' (1940) - Dorothy Joyce
* ''[[The Letter (1940 film)|The Letter]]'' (1940) as Dorothy Joyce
* ''[[Father's Son (1941 film)|Father's Son]]'' (1941) - Ruth Emory
* ''[[Father's Son (1941 film)|Father's Son]]'' (1941) as Ruth Emory
* ''[[The Trial of Mary Dugan (1941 film)|The Trial of Mary Dugan]]'' (1941) - Mrs. Wayne
* ''[[The Trial of Mary Dugan (1941 film)|The Trial of Mary Dugan]]'' (1941) as Mrs. Wayne
* ''[[Shadows on the Stairs]]'' (1941) - Mrs. Stella Armitage
* ''[[Shadows on the Stairs]]'' (1941) as Mrs. Stella Armitage
* ''[[Sunny (1941 film)|Sunny]]'' (1941) - Elizabeth Warren
* ''[[Sunny (1941 film)|Sunny]]'' (1941) as Elizabeth Warren
* ''[[You'll Never Get Rich]]'' (1941) - Mrs. Julia Cortland
* ''[[You'll Never Get Rich]]'' (1941) as Mrs. Julia Cortland
* ''[[Remember the Day]]'' (1941) - Mrs. Dewey Roberts
* ''[[Remember the Day]]'' (1941) as Mrs. Dewey Roberts
* ''[[The Courtship of Andy Hardy]]'' (1942) - Olivia Nesbit
* ''[[The Courtship of Andy Hardy]]'' (1942) as Olivia Nesbit
* ''[[Sweater Girl (film)|Sweater Girl]]'' (1942) - Mrs. Menard
* ''[[Sweater Girl (film)|Sweater Girl]]'' (1942) as Mrs. Menard
* ''[[Street of Chance (1942 film)|Street of Chance]]'' (1942) - Alma Diedrich
* ''[[Street of Chance (1942 film)|Street of Chance]]'' (1942) as Alma Diedrich
* ''[[It Comes Up Love]]'' (1943) - Portia Winthrop
* ''[[It Comes Up Love]]'' (1943) as Portia Winthrop
* ''[[The Amazing Mrs. Holliday]]'' (1943) - Karen Holliday
* ''[[The Amazing Mrs. Holliday]]'' (1943) as Karen Holliday
* ''[[Mission to Moscow]]'' (1943) - Madame Molotov (uncredited)
* ''[[Mission to Moscow]]'' (1943) as Madame Molotov (uncredited)
* ''[[The Return of the Vampire]]'' (1943) - Lady Jane Ainsley
* ''[[The Return of the Vampire]]'' (1943) as Lady Jane Ainsley
* ''[[Heavenly Days]]'' (1944) - Ettie Clark
* ''[[Heavenly Days]]'' (1944) as Ettie Clark
* ''[[The Judge Steps Out]]'' (1948) - Evelyn Bailey
* ''[[The Judge Steps Out]]'' (1948) as Evelyn Bailey
* ''[[The Underworld Story]]'' (1950) - Mrs. Eldridge
* ''[[The Underworld Story]]'' (1950) as Mrs. Eldridge
* ''[[A Place in the Sun (1951 film)|A Place in the Sun]]'' (1951) - Mrs. Ann Vickers
* ''[[A Place in the Sun (1951 film)|A Place in the Sun]]'' (1951) as Mrs. Ann Vickers
* ''[[Never Wave at a WAC]]'' (1953) - Lily Mae Gorham
* ''[[Never Wave at a WAC]]'' (1953) as Lily Mae Gorham
* ''[[Casanova's Big Night]]'' (1954) - Signora Di Gambetta
* ''[[Casanova's Big Night]]'' (1954) as Signora Di Gambetta
* ''[[Foxfire (1955 film)|Foxfire]]'' (1955) - Mrs. Lawrence
* ''[[Foxfire (1955 film)|Foxfire]]'' (1955) as Mrs. Lawrence
* ''[[Flame of the Islands]]'' (1956) - Evelyn Hammond
* ''[[Flame of the Islands]]'' (1956) as Evelyn Hammond
* ''[[The Eddy Duchin Story]]'' (1956) - Edith Wadsworth
* ''[[The Eddy Duchin Story]]'' (1956) as Edith Wadsworth
* ''[[The She-Creature]]'' (1956) - Mrs. Chappel
* ''[[The She-Creature]]'' (1956) as Mrs. Chappel
* ''[[Darby's Rangers]]'' (1958) - Lady Hollister
* ''[[Darby's Rangers]]'' (1958) as Lady Hollister
* ''[[Senior Prom (film)|Senior Prom]]'' (1958) - Mrs. Sherridan
* ''[[Senior Prom (film)|Senior Prom]]'' (1958) as Mrs. Sherridan
* ''[[Juke Box Rhythm]]'' (1959) - Aunt Margaret
* ''[[Juke Box Rhythm]]'' (1959) as Aunt Margaret
* ''[[The Alligator People]]'' (1959) - Mrs. Lavinia Hawthorne, Henry's Wife
* ''[[The Alligator People]]'' (1959) as Mrs. Lavinia Hawthorne, Henry's Wife
* ''[[The Crowded Sky]]'' (1960) - Mrs. Mitchell
* ''[[The Crowded Sky]]'' (1960) as Mrs. Mitchell
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


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* {{IMDb name|id=0408586}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0408586}}
* {{IBDB name|67888}}
* {{IBDB name|67888}}
* [https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/frieda-inescort?sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=frieda%20inescort Frieda Inescort images], [[Getty Images]].
* [https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/photos/frieda-inescort?sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=frieda%20inescort Frieda Inescort images], [[Getty Images]].
* {{Find a Grave|8794412}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:Scottish people of German descent]]
[[Category:Scottish people of German descent]]
[[Category:Scottish people of Polish descent]]
[[Category:Scottish people of Polish descent]]
[[Category:Neurological disease deaths in the United States]]
[[Category:Neurological disease deaths in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from multiple sclerosis]]
[[Category:Deaths from multiple sclerosis]]
[[Category:People with multiple sclerosis]]
[[Category:Actresses from Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Actresses from Edinburgh]]
[[Category:Disease-related deaths in California]]
[[Category:20th-century Scottish actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century Scottish actresses]]
[[Category:Scottish emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:British emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Scottish people with disabilities]]

Latest revision as of 08:07, 22 September 2024

Frieda Inescort
Frieda Inescort
Born
Frieda Wrightman

(1901-06-29)29 June 1901
Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
Died26 February 1976(1976-02-26) (aged 74)
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1935–1961
Spouse
Ben Ray Redman
​
​
(m. 1926; died 1961)​

Frieda Inescort (born Frieda Wrightman, 29 June 1901 – 26 February 1976) was a Scottish actress best known for creating the role of Sorel Bliss in Noël Coward's play Hay Fever on Broadway.[1] She also played the shingled lady in John Galsworthy's 1927 Broadway production Escape[2] and Caroline Bingley in the 1940 film of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Early years

[edit]

Born in Edinburgh, Inescort was the daughter of Scots-born journalist John "Jock" Wrightman and actress Elaine Inescourt (née Charlotte Elizabeth Ihle),[3][4] who was of German and Polish descent. They married in 1896 but parted ways when their daughter was still a young child.

While she lived in Britain, Inescort wrote for a newspaper in London[5] and worked as secretary to Lord Astor.[6] (Another source says that she was secretary to Lady Astor.)[7]

After going to the United States, she not only acted but also worked as associate editor of The Exporter's Encyclopedia.[6]

Stage

[edit]

Inescort's acting debut came in The Truth About Blayds (1922), which was presented at the Booth Theatre on Broadway.[4] Her other Broadway credits include You and I (1923), The Woman on the Jury (1923), Windows (1923), The Fake (1924), Ariadne (1925), Hay Fever (1925), Love in a Mist (1926), Mozart (1926), Trelawny of the "Wells" (1927), Escape (1927-1928), Napi (1931), Company's Coming (1931), Springtime for Henry (1931-1932), When Ladies Meet (1933), False Dreams, Farewell (1934), Lady Jane (1934), Soldier's Wife (1944-1945), The Mermaids Singing (1945-1946) and You Never Can Tell (1948).[8]

Film

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Frieda Inescort

Frieda Wrightman adopted her mother's surname as her professional name and moved to Hollywood and made her film debut in The Dark Angel (1935). Her other films include Mary of Scotland (1936), Give Me Your Heart (1936), "Beauty for the Asking (1939), The Letter (1940), The Trial of Mary Dugan (1941), You'll Never Get Rich (1941) and A Place in the Sun (1951).[9]

She appeared with Laurence Olivier and Greer Garson as the conniving Caroline Bingley in the 1940 film version of Pride and Prejudice.[10] She had a leading role in Call It a Day, a 1937 film in which she appeared with Olivia de Havilland, Bonita Granville, Roland Young, and Ian Hunter.[11] In 1955 Inescort appeared as Mrs. Lawrence in the movie Foxfire starring Jeff Chandler and Jane Russell. She appeared in one episode of Perry Mason as Hope Quentin in "The Case of the Jealous Journalist" (season 5, 1961).[12]

Personal life

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On 2 August 1961, she and her husband since 1926, Ben Ray Redman, dined out. Redman had been despondent for some time. Returning home before her, he went upstairs to bed. He then called Frieda, informing her that he was depressed over the state of the world and had taken 12 sedative pills. By the time the paramedics arrived, he had died, a suicide at the age of 65.[13] He had been working as a writer for the Saturday Review and was involved in the translation of European classics into English.[14][15]

Inescort had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1932.[16] Her disease accelerated after her husband's death, and she was using a wheelchair by the mid-1960s. On 7 July 1964, her estranged mother, British actress Elaine Inescourt, died in Brighton, England, aged 87.[17] Frieda worked as much as possible for the funding of multiple sclerosis research.[18] She was often seen in the Hollywood area seated in her wheelchair, collecting donations outside supermarkets and in malls.[19][citation needed]

Death

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Inescort died at the age of 74 at the Motion Picture Country Home at Woodland Hills, California from multiple sclerosis.[20][1]

Partial filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b League, The Broadway. "Frieda Inescort – Broadway Cast & Staff - IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
  2. ^ League, The Broadway. "Escape – Broadway Play – Original - IBDB". www.ibdb.com.
  3. ^ Elaine Inescourt profile, gsarchive.net. Accessed May 13, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "Frieda Inescort Coming to City; a Varied Career". Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre. The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, the Evening News. 9 April 1924. p. 4. Retrieved 31 January 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ Hale, Marian (26 May 1922). "Could You Fill Two Jobs? This Girl Can -- She Acts Nights, Writes by Day". Times Herald. New York, Olean. Times Herald. p. 22. Retrieved 30 January 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  6. ^ a b Maurel, Mabel (30 April 1922). "Viscount Astor's Former Secretary Now Actress in "Truth About Bladys"". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. New York, Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 47. Retrieved 30 January 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  7. ^ "An Unaffected Movie Actress". The Hutchinson News. Kansas, Hutchinson. The Hutchinson News. 14 August 1936. p. 5. Retrieved 31 January 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  8. ^ "Frieda Inescort profile". ibdb.com. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  9. ^ "Frieda Inescort - Movies and Filmography - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  10. ^ "Pride and Prejudice (1940) - Robert Z. Leonard - Cast and Crew - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  11. ^ "Call It a Day (1937) - Archie Mayo - Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  12. ^ "Perry Mason: The Case of the Jealous Journalist (1961) - John English - Cast and Crew - AllMovie". AllMovie.
  13. ^ "Writer Redman Takes Own Life". Wisconsin, Oshkosh. Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. 3 August 1961. p. 9. Retrieved 31 January 2016 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  14. ^ "Ben Ray Redman: The Greenwich Village Bookshop Door". norman.hrc.utexas.edu.
  15. ^ "Books by Ben Ray Redman (Author of The Works of Jonathan Swift - Gulliver's Travels)". www.goodreads.com.
  16. ^ Kear, Lynn; King, James (21 November 2012). Evelyn Brent: The Life and Films of Hollywood's Lady Crook. McFarland. ISBN 9780786454686 – via Google Books.
  17. ^ "Elaine Inescort". gsarchive.net.
  18. ^ "Frieda Inescort - Classic Monsters". 30 March 2015.
  19. ^ "Frieda Inescort". 15 July 2001. Archived from the original on 15 July 2001.
  20. ^ "Frieda Inescort". IMDb.
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