Born Hermione Clinton-Baddeley on November 13, 1906 in Broseley, England; died in1986
A stage actress from the age of six, Baddeley made her London debut at 12 and played her first film role at 22. She appeared in numerous plays and many films, typically in ribald character roles. She was nominated for a Supporting Oscar for her performance in “Room at the Top” (1959), starring Simone Signoret.
In the early 1960s, Baddeley began appearing in both British and American stage, TV, and film productions. She was memorable as Mrs. Naugatuck, the hard-drinking maid, in the TV series “Maude.”
Her sister, Angela Baddeley (b. Madeleine Angela Clinton-Baddeley, July 4, 1904-1976, London), was also a successful stage actress but appeared rarely in films. Angela became familiar to US TV audiences as Mrs. Bridges, the cook, in the “Upstairs Downstairs” TV series.
Oscar Alert
In 1959, Hermione Baddeley competed for the Supporting Actress Oscar with Shelley Winters (who won) in “The Diary of Anne Frank,” Susan Kohner in “Imitation of Life,” Juanita Moore in “Imitation of Love,” and Thelma Ritter in “Pillow Talk.”
