Joan Greenwood (4 March 1921 – 27 February 1987) was an English actress. Born in Chelsea, she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her husky voice was her trademark, and in 1995 she was ranked number 63 on Empire magazine's list of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history.
Greenwood worked mainly on the stage, where she had a long career, appearing with Donald Wolfit's theatre company in the years following World War II. She did make several memorable screen appearances, most notably as Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest (1952) and as Sibella in the black comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949). She also appeared in two Ealing comedies, Whisky Galore! and The Man in the White Suit. She had leading roles in Stage Struck (1958), the Jules Verne-based film Mysterious Island (1961), and Tom Jones (1963). Her last film was Little Dorrit, made the year of her death.
She is often remembered for her performance as Lady Carlton, a quirky romance novelist and landlady to the main characters in the British sitcom Girls On Top.
In 1960 Greenwood appeared as the title character in a production of Henrik Ibsen's play Hedda Gabler at The Oxford Playhouse. Starring opposite her as Brack was the actor André Morell. They fell in love and flew in secret to Jamaica, where they were married, remaining together until his death in 1978. They had one child, Jason, also an actor who has appeared in films such as Mrs Brown (1997, as Lord Stanley), and Wilde (also 1997, as Ernest Dowson).
She died of a heart attack in London five days prior to her 66th birthday.
(1995) Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the 100 Sexiest Stars in film history (#63).
Famous for her very characteristic voice: husky, plummy and sexy.
Mother, with André Morell, of actor Jason Morell.
