13 Facts About Lilian Braithwaite

Dame Florence Lilian Braithwaite was an English actress, primarily of the stage, although she appeared in both silent and talkie films.

Lilian Braithwaite was born in Ramsgate, Kent, the daughter of the Revd John Masterman Braithwaite, then a curate and later vicar of Croydon, and his wife, Elizabeth Jane, daughter of Colonel Thomas Sidney Powell, CB.

Lilian Braithwaite first acted with amateur companies including the Strolling Players and the Oxford University Dramatic Society, but her decision to turn professional was met with strong opposition from her parents.

Lilian Braithwaite had married Lawrence on 2 June 1897 at the church of St Stephen in Kensington in London, and their daughter, the actress Joyce Carey was born on their return to London from South Africa.

Lilian Braithwaite made her first professional London appearance as Celia in As You Like It in 1900.

Lilian Braithwaite then toured with George Alexander and appeared under his management at the St James's Theatre from 1901 to 1904.

Lilian Braithwaite appeared in the 1927 Alfred Hitchcock film Downhill.

In 1928 Lilian Braithwaite demonstrated her talent as a light comedienne when she played a 'ten per cent lady' in Ivor Novello's The Truth Game at the Globe Theatre.

Lilian Braithwaite went on to play in a succession of successful comedies including Flat to Let, Fresh Fields, Family Affairs, Full House, The Lady of La Paz and Bats in the Belfry.

In 1940, during World War II, Lilian Braithwaite served as chairman and chief organiser of the hospital division of Entertainments National Service Association and in 1943 she was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to the stage.

Lilian Braithwaite returned to comedy in Arsenic and Old Lace in December 1942 which played for three years.

Lilian Braithwaite's last known notable performance was as Mrs Armitage in the film A Man About the House.

Dame Lilian Braithwaite died in London on 17 September 1948 in the belief that her illness was temporary and that soon she would be rehearsing a new play.