Jeanne de Casalis, a celebrated British thespian, was born on May 22, 1897, in the picturesque country of Basutoland, with the surname Casalis de Pury, a testament to her complex and intriguing heritage. Her father, a distinguished entrepreneur, was the proud owner of one of France's largest and most esteemed corset retailers, Charneaux, a business that had been built on a foundation of quality and customer satisfaction over the years. As a result, Jeanne spent her formative years in France, immersing herself in the country's rich culture and educational system, which would later serve as a strong foundation for her future pursuits.
Jeanne's artistic journey began with a passion for music, which eventually led her to transition to the world of theatre in London. It was in this esteemed city that she initially made her mark, taking to the stage in notable productions alongside esteemed actresses of the time. One of her earliest and most notable performances was in the 1935 production of The Mask of Virtue, which featured the talented Vivien Leigh. This early success was followed by another significant role in Agatha Christie's The Hollow, a testament to her growing reputation as a talented thespian. As her career continued to flourish, Jeanne went on to star in several iconic films, including the 1941 release of Cottage to Let and the 1939 premiere of Jamaica Inn, both of which cemented her status as a leading lady of the silver screen.
Jeanne's personal life was characterized by a significant number of years spent in a marital relationship with Colin Clive, a renowned English actor who gained widespread recognition for his iconic portrayal of the title character in the 1931 film adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel, Frankenstein. This union, which took place in June 1929, was marked by a notable period of estrangement, during which the couple maintained a distance from one another, yet ultimately remained together until Clive's untimely passing due to complications from tuberculosis on June 25, 1937.
Jeanne de Casalis, a remarkable individual, entered into a second marriage around 1938 with RAF Wing Commander Cowan Douglas Stephenson, a distinguished military officer. The newlyweds settled down in the picturesque village of Hunger Hatch, situated near the charming town of Ashford in Kent, England.
