Jessie Matthews | |
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![]() Matthews in 1917, aged ten. | |
Born | Jessie Margaret Matthews 11 March 1907 |
Died | 19 August 1981 Eastcote, London, England | (aged 74)
Occupations |
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Years active | 1919–1981 |
Spouses | Brian Lewis
(m. 1945; div. 1959) |
Jessie Margaret Matthews OBE (11 March 1907 – 19 August 1981) was an English actress, dancer and singer of the 1920s and 1930s, whose career continued into the post-war period.[1][2]
After a string of hit stage musicals and films in the mid-1930s, such as Evergreen, Matthews developed a following in the USA, where she was dubbed "The Dancing Divinity".[3] Her British studio was reluctant to let go of its biggest name, however, which resulted in offers for her to work in Hollywood being repeatedly rejected.[4]
After the decline of her film career, Matthews achieved a comeback in her native Britain when she took over the role of Mary Dale in the popular BBC Radio serial The Dales (previously known as Mrs Dale's Diary).[5][6]