Mona Washbourne


Mona Lee Washbourne was an English actress of stage, film, and television. Her most critically acclaimed role was in the film Stevie, late in her career, for which she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA Award. She had, in 1977, won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in the play it was based on.

Early life

Mona Washbourne was born in Sparkhill, Birmingham, and began her entertaining career training as a concert pianist. Her sister Kathleen Washbourne was a violinist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Sir Adrian Boult.

Career

Washbourne was performing professionally from the early 1920s. She married the actor Basil Dignam. Her brother-in-law Mark Dignam was also a stage and film actor. In 1948, after numerous stage musical performances, Washbourne began appearing in films. Her film credits include the horror movie The Brides of Dracula, Billy Liar and The Collector. She is probably best known to American audiences for her role as housekeeper Mrs. Pearce in My Fair Lady. She also appeared as the stern and caustic Mrs. Bramson in the remake of Night Must Fall, and the Matron in the film, If.....
She appeared at both the Royal Court Theatre in London and on Broadway in 1970 in David Storey's Home. She was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play. In 1975 she appeared on the West End stage with James Stewart in a revival of Mary Chase's play Harvey, in the role originally taken by Josephine Hull. Washbourne won the 1981 New York Film Critics' Circle Awards for Best Supporting Actress in Stevie.

Later life

In 1981, Washbourne appeared in Granada Television's TV miniseries adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's novel Brideshead Revisited as Nanny Hawkins. One of her last television appearances was in Where's the Key?, a BBC play about Alzheimer's disease.
She died in 1988, aged 84, in London.

Selected filmography

Evergreen – Barmaid The Winslow Boy – Miss BarnesOnce Upon a Dream – Vicar's WifeThe Huggetts Abroad – Lugubrious Housewife Adam and Evelyne – Mrs. Salop – Lady Gambler Maytime in Mayfair – Lady LevesonDouble Confession – Fussy MotherDark Interval The Gambler and the Lady – Miss MinterJohnny on the Run – Mrs. MacGregorAdventure in the Hopfields – Mrs. McBainThe Million Pound Note – Mum with Pram Star of My Night – Bit Part Doctor in the House – Midwifery Sister Betrayed – Waitress Child's Play – Miss Emily GoslettTo Dorothy a Son – Mid Wife Appleby.John and Julie – Miss RendleshamCast a Dark Shadow – Monica BareAlias John Preston – The Vise – Supporting Role Lost – Library Manageress Yield to the Night – Mrs. Thomas, landladyLoser Takes All – Nurse Circus Friends – Miss LinsteadIt's Great to Be Young – Miss Morrow, School MistressThe Good Companions – Mrs. Joe BrunditStranger in Town – Agnes SmithSon of a Stranger Dunkirk – Worker Who Speaks to Holden A Cry from the Streets – Mrs. DanielsCount Your Blessings – NannyThe Brides of Dracula – Frau LangNo Love for Johnnie – Well-wisher at Railway Station Billy Liar – Alice FisherNight Must Fall – Mrs. BramsonMy Fair Lady – Mrs. PearceFerry Cross the Mersey – Aunt LilOne Way Pendulum – Aunt MildredThe Collector – Aunt AnnieThe Third Day – Catherine ParsonsCasino Royale – Tea Lady Two a Penny – Mrs. DuckettMrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter – Mrs. BrownIf.... – Matron: StaffThe Bed Sitting Room – MotherThe Games – Mrs. HayesFragment of Fear – Mrs. GrayWhat Became of Jack and Jill? – Gran Alice TallentO Lucky Man! – Neighbour / Usher / Sister HallettIdentikit – Mrs. Helen FiedkeThe Old Curiosity Shop – Mrs. JarleyThe Blue Bird – GrandmotherStevie – AuntThe London Connection – Aunt LydiaShillingbury Tales - Marjorie CavendishBrideshead Revisited – Nanny HawkinsCharles & Diana: A Royal Love Story – Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother