Introduction
Faith Brook (16 February 1922 – 11 March 2012) was an English actress who appeared on stage, in films and on television, generally in upper-class roles. She was the daughter of actor Clive Brook.
Early years
Although she was born in York, England, she was raised in Hollywood. Her father was the actor Clive Brook, and her brother Lyndon Brook was also an actor.
Brook was educated in Los Angeles, London and Gstaad, Switzerland. As a teenager, she studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Film
Brook's screen debut came via a bit part in Suspicion (1941). Her first credited film appearance was The Jungle Book in 1942.The Encyclopedia of British Film described her as being cast "almost invariably in well-bred roles ..."
Stage
In September 1941, Brook debuted on stage in Lottie Dundass in Santa Barbara.
During World War II, Brook served in Britain's Auxiliary Territorial Service.Following that, she acted in the Bristol Old Vic.Later, in London, she joined the company of The Old Vic.
She also appeared on stage in The Colour of Poppies and in Uncle Vanya in 2008.
Her Broadway credits include The Cocktail Party (1949), You Never Can Tell (1947), and Letters to Lucerne (1941).
Television
Brook portrayed Julia Naughton in the American television series Claudia (1952). In Britain, she appeared on War and Peace (1972) on the BBC and The Irish RM on Channel 4, among other programmes.
Personal life
Brook was married twice, first to Charles Moffett and then later to Michael Horowitz.Brook and her second husband had a son.
She was a supporter of the British Humanist Association.
Selected filmography
- Suspicion (1941) - Alice Barham (uncredited)
- Jungle Book (1942) - English Girl
- No Time for Love (1943) - Pert Brunette (uncredited)
- Uneasy Terms (1948) - Viola Alardyse
- Wicked as They Come (1956) - Virginia Collins
- The Intimate Stranger (1956) - Lesley Wilson
- Across the Bridge (1957) - Kay
- Man in the Shadow (1957) - Joan Lennox
- Chase a Crooked Shadow (1958) - Elaine Whitman
- The 39 Steps (1959) - Nannie
- We Shall See (1964) - Alva Collins
- The Heroes of Telemark (1965) - Woman on Bus
- To Sir, with Love (1967) - Grace Evans
- Adelaide (1968) - Dickson
- The Smashing Bird I Used to Know (1969) - Dr. Sands
- Walk a Crooked Path (1969) - Elizabeth Hemming
- War and Peace (1972, BBC TV) - Countess Rostova
- North Sea Hijack (1980) - Prime Minister
- Bloodbath (1979) - Heather
- The Curse of King Tut's Tomb (1980) - Lady Almina Carnarvon
- The Sea Wolves (1980) - Mrs. Grice
- Eye of the Needle (1981) - Lucy's Mother
- The Razor's Edge (1984) - Louisa Bradley (Isabel's Mother)
- Miss Beatty's Children (1992) - Mabel Forster
- Mrs Dalloway (1997) - Lady Bexborough
- AKA (2002) - Contessa de la Reche
Selected television credits
| Year | Title | Role | Episode(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Martin Kane, Private Eye | Millie Talbot | "The Nevans Murder Trail " |
| 1950 | Ripley's Believe It or Not! | Unknown role | "Murder by Moonlight" |
| 1950-1951 | Ford Theatre | Unknown roles | "Heart of Darkness" "Dead on the Vine" |
| 1949-1951 | Studio One | Sally Athelny Joan Bridges Edith Bastin Ethel Mummery |
"Of Human Bondage" "The Willow Cabin " "Away from It All" "Mr. Mummery's Suspicion" |
| 1950-1951 | Kraft Television Theatre | Unknown roles | "The Great Broxopp" "Mrs. Dane's Defense" "Dear Brutus" |
| 1951-1952 | Robert Montgomery Presents | Unknown roles | "An Inspector Calls" "Happy Birthday, George" "The Law-Abiding" |
| 1957 | White Hunter | Patricia | "Big Bwana Brady " |
| 1958 | Saturday Playhouse | Connie Crawford | "Heroes Don't Care" |
| 1958 | Sunday Night Theatre | Ida Hay | "Honour Bright" |
| 1959 | The Invisible Man | Carol Norton | "Picnic with Death" |
| 1974 | Thriller | Betty Cornfield | "In the Steps of a Dead Man" |
Selected radio
- The Reluctant Peer by William Douglas-Home broadcast on BBC (1967)