Frances Hyland


Frances Hyland was a Canadian stage, film and television actress. She earned recognition for roles on stage and screen. Honoured with the Governor General's Performing Arts Award in 1994, she was called "the first lady of Canadian theatre".

Early life and education

Hyland was born in 1927 in Shaunavon, Saskatchewan, a small town south-west of Swift Current, to Jessie, a teacher, and Thomas Hyland, a salesman. She lived there until her parents divorced when she was one year old. She was raised by her mother's family in Ogema, Saskatchewan. When she was seven, she moved to Regina when her parents tried, and failed, to save their marriage. She had no relationship with her father after 1937.
Hyland's dreams were clouded because her family did not have a great deal of money, but she always believed that she could achieve her dreams.. As did her mother, who put herself through teacher's college in order to support her daughter's education and acting career
Thus Hyland graduated in 1948 from the University of Saskatchewan with a BA in English. She earned a scholarship to and graduated from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London England where she won a silver medal for merit in passing her exams.

Career

After graduating from the Royal Academy, Hyland remained in London, and made her professional debut on London's West End, starring as Stella in Tennessee William's acclaimed A Streetcar Named Desire.
In 1954, Hyland was invited by the renowned theatre director Tyrone Guthrie to open his first season of Canada's Stratford Festival, playing Isabella in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. She went on to perform at the festival through the next ten seasons. Her roles included Portia, Olivia, Perdita, Desdemona and Ophelia opposite Christopher Plummer in an acclaimed production of Hamlet. As well, Hyland directed the Stratford Festival's 1979 production of Othello.
Hyland also performed with the Shaw Festival, the Crest Theatre in Toronto in The Living Room, and on Broadway.
On television, Hyland co-starred in the Canadian television series The Albertans and played Nanny Louisa on Road to Avonlea.
As the leading Shakespearean actress in Canada, Hyland also used her position to champion Canadian actors' campaign for higher status and pay.
Hyland married George McCowan, a fellow Canadian actor and director. They had a son, Evan, in 1957. The couple separated shortly after.

Death

On Sunday, July 11, 2004, Hyland was admitted to St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada for respiratory failure from complications of a prior appendix surgery. She was pronounced deceased the following day by her son.

Awards and honours

In 1970, Hyland was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada. In 1994, Hyland received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, Canada's highest honour in the performing arts, for her lifetime contribution to Canadian theatre.

Filmography

Movies

YearTitleRoleNotes
1963DrylandersLiza
1966Each Day That ComesShort
1972Another Smith for ParadiseMarie Smith
1980The ChangelingMrs. Grey
1980The Hounds of Notre DameMother Therese
1981Happy Birthday to MeMrs. Patterson
1983The SightShort
1993The Lotus EatersFlora Kingswood
1995Never Talk to StrangersMrs. Slotnick

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1950–54Sunday Night TheatreMegan Owen / Sonia / Penelope Blessington4 episodes: Deep Are the Roots, Adam's Apple, Crime and Punishment, The Gift
1955Scope1 Episode: Prelude to Marriage
1955On Camera1 Episode: The Queen's Ring
1955–61EncounterNellie / Shevawn Flaherty / Melissa Turner6 episodes
1957Twelfth NightLady OliviaTV movie
1957–59FolioZuzushka / Mariana / Frances3 episodes: Proud Passage, The Master of Santiago, Ivanov
1958Till Death Do Us Part1 Episode: Panic at Parth Bay
1959Hudson's BaySusan Murray1 Episode: Bosom Friends
1959–60The UnforeseenMartha3 episodes: The Storm, The Wreath, Desire
1959–60R.C.M.P.Lucy Dodds / Mrs.Phillips2 episodes: The Replacement, The Hunt
1960SuspenseEthel1 Episode: Love Story
1960StartimeMiss Miller / Catherine Stockmann2 episodes: An Enemy of the People, An Enemy of the People
1960–62FestivalMargot / Duchess / Olga5 episodes
1962First Person1 Episode: My Home Is Here
1962Salt of the EarthTV movie
1961–62PlaydateEthel / Nellie Bancroft / Alice3 episodes: The Salt of the Earth, The Vigilante, Love Story 1910
1967The Mystery Maker1 Episode
1973–80The BeachcombersSadie4 episodes: Sadie, Keep Your Shirt On, The Sasquatch Walks by Night, Sadie is a Lady
1974The Naked Mind1 Episode
1978CatsplayMouseyTV movie
1978Home to StayAunt MarthaTV movie
1979The AlbertansMarjanne HardinTV movie
1979The Great DetectiveMrs. Eglantyne1 Episode: Death Takes a Curtain Call
1980Matt and JennyMartha Jane1 Episode: A Woman's Place
1981Tales of the HauntedDodyTV movie
1981TitansElizabeth I.1 Episode: Elizabeth I.
1983PygmalionMrs. HigginsTV movie
1985The Hearst and Davies AffairRose DurasTV movie
1986Kay O'BrienDr. Sarah McDonovan1 Episode: Princess of the City
1987Alfred Hitchcock PresentsEdith Ferris1 Episode: The Impatient Patient
1988Liberace: Behind the MusicFlorence Bettray KellyTV movie
1988The Twilight ZoneLaura Kincaid1 Episode: Dream Me a Life
1988Night HeatMarie1 Episode: No Regrets
1988Lonely KnightsMaggieTV movie
1989Glory! Glory!VelmaTV movie
1990E.N.G.Thelma1 Episode: Division of Labour
1990–95AvonleaNanny Louisa Banks3 episodes: The Journey Begins, Sara's Homecoming, Comings and Goings
1993Survive the NightTV movie
1993The Hidden RoomRita1 Episode: After the Crash
1993–94Street LegalCaroline Diamond3 episodes: Thicker Than Water, Forgiveness, Persons Living or Dead
1994Lonesome DoveClementine Coffey1 Episode: Duty Bound
1994Broken LullabyMariaTV movie
1994Tales from the CryptkeeperAunt Melva2 episodes: The Avenging Phantom/Myth Conceptions, The Haunted Mine
1994Lives of Girls & WomenAunt GraceTV movie
1995Due SouthFraser's Grandmother1 Episode: Letting Go
1995When the Dark Man CallsDr. Martha PetrieTV movie
1996Psi Factor: Chronicles of the ParanormalCatherine Cartwright1 Episode: Reptilian Revenge/Ghostly Voices
1996Moonlight Becomes YouNuala MooreTV movie
1997A Prayer in the DarkAnnaTV movie
1997I'll Be Home for ChristmasThelma JenkinsTV movie