Biography
Her most famous early role was as Desdemona opposite Paul Robeson's Othello in the early 1940s and her first film was the British Gaumont production "The Wandering Jew" (1933). She was especially memorable as the quiet, emotionally suffocating village wife who briefly shelters the on-the-lam Robert Donat in Alfred Hitchcock's classic "The Thirty Nine Steps" (1935). Along with frequent costar John Gielgud, Ashcroft's leading men during her …
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Career Milestones
1984 | Received career boost and widest exposure in years with her acclaimed role in the David Lean film, "A Passage to India" |
1962 | First British actress to have a theater named after her while still alive--the Ashcroft, in her home town of Croydon |
1959 | TV debut in "Shadow of Heroes" |
1937 | Broadway stage debut in "High Tor" |
1933 | Film acting debut in "The Wandering Jew" |
1927 | London stage debut in "One Day More" |
1926 | Stage debut in "Dear Brutus" at Birmingham Repertory Theatre |
Awards
1989 | BAFTA Award for Actress In a Supporting Role in Madame Sousatzka |
1989 | Venice International Film Festival for Volpi Cup for Best Actress in She's Been Away |
1985 | BAFTA Award for Actress In a Leading Role in A Passage to India |
1985 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television in The Jewel in the Crown |
1985 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress In a Limited Series or a Special in The Jewel in the Crown |
1984 | Academy Award for Actress In a Supporting Role in A Passage to India |
1984 | New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress in A Passage to India |
1984 | National Board of Review Award for Best Actress in A Passage to India |
1984 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture in A Passage to India |
1984 | Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress in A Passage to India |
1984 | Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress in A Passage to India |
1969 | BAFTA Award for Supporting Actress in Three Into Two Won't Go |
1959 | BAFTA Award for British Actress in The Nun's Story |