Lucile Watson


Lucile Watson was a Canadian actress, long based in the United States. She was "famous for her roles of formidable dowagers."

Early years

Watson was born in Quebec and raised in Ottawa, the daughter of an officer in the British Army. Despite his wishes, she traveled to New York City and enrolled in a dramatic school.

Career

Watson was primarily a stage actress, appearing in 39 Broadway plays.
In perhaps her most acclaimed performance, Watson portrayed Fanny Farrelly in playwright Lillian Hellman's anti-fascist dramatic stage play Watch on the Rhine on Broadway in 1941, starring Paul Lukas. Two years later in Hollywood, she and Lukas reprised their roles in the film adaptation, for which Watson received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Death

Watson died on June 24, 1962.

Broadway roles

His Bridal Night as JulieNo More Ladies as Mrs. Fanny TownsendWatch on the Rhine as Fanny FarrellyThe Bat as Cornelia Van Gorder

Partial filmography

The Royal Family of Broadway as Actress Backstage What Every Woman Knows as La Contessa la Brierre The Bishop Misbehaves as Lady EmilyThe Garden of Allah as Mother Superior JosephineA Woman Rebels as Betty BumbleThree Smart Girls as MarthaThe Young in Heart as Mrs. JenningsSweethearts as Mrs. MarloweMade for Each Other as Mrs. Harriet MasonThe Women as Mrs. MoreheadWaterloo Bridge as Lady Margaret CroninFlorian as CountessMr. & Mrs. Smith as Mrs. CusterRage in Heaven as Mrs. MonrellFootsteps in the Dark as Mrs. ArcherThe Great Lie as Aunt AdaModel Wife as J.J. BensonWatch on the Rhine as Fanny FarrellyUncertain Glory as Mme. MaretTill We Meet Again as Mother SuperiorThe Thin Man Goes Home as Mrs. CharlesTomorrow Is Forever as Aunt Jessica HamiltonMy Reputation as Mrs. Mary KimballNever Say Goodbye as Mrs. HamiltonSong of the South as GrandmotherThe Razor's Edge as Louisa BradleyIvy as Mrs. GretorexThe Emperor Waltz as Princess BitotskaJulia Misbehaves as Mrs. PackettThat Wonderful Urge as Aunt Cornelia FarleyLittle Women as Aunt MarchEverybody Does It as Mrs. BlairLet's Dance as Serena EverettHarriet Craig as Celia FenwickMy Forbidden Past as Aunt Eula Beaurevel