Brenda Forbes was a renowned actress, best recognized for her illustrious career on the Broadway stage, where she initially made a lasting impression as Elizabeth Barrett's maid Wilson in the 1935 production of 'The Barretts of Wimpole Street'.
Born into a theatrical family, Brenda left her native England as a teenager to join her mother, Mary Forbes, who was already established as a character actress in Hollywood. She made her stage debut at the Vine Street Theatre before going on to play quintessential British roles in classic plays such as 'Pride and Prejudice' and 'My Fair Lady', in which she portrayed Mrs. Higgins in 1976.
Throughout her career, Brenda received numerous accolades, including a Tony Award nomination for 'The Loves of Cass McGuire' in 1967 and a Joseph Jefferson Award nomination as Best Actress in a Principal Role for 'The Sea' at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago in 1975.
In addition to her stage work, Brenda was also celebrated for her satirical performances in revue. However, her comedic talents and eccentric characterizations did not receive the same level of recognition during her lackluster film career, which spanned nine years and consisted of only six films, including two big-budget productions at MGM, 'Mrs. Miniver' (1942) and 'The White Cliffs of Dover' (1944),in which she played small roles as maids or nurses.
In the 1950s, Brenda returned to the film industry in more substantial roles, albeit as a character actress, and also appeared on the small screen, including three made-for-TV movies opposite Katharine Hepburn.
