Alison Skipworth
Alison Skipworth was an English stage and screen actress.
Early years
Skipworth was born in London. She was the daughter of Dr. Richard Ebenezer Groom and Elizabeth Rodgers, and she had a private education.
Stage
Alison Skipworth made her first stage appearance at Daly's Theatre in London in 1894, in A Gaiety Girl. Her first American performance came the following year at the Broadway Theatre in New York City. She sang in light opera in An Artist's Model. In this production she served as understudy to Marie Tempest. After performing in two London plays, Skipworth returned to the United States, and made it her home. She joined the company of Daniel Frohman at the Lyceum. There she made her debut as Mrs. Ware in The Princess and the Butterfly in 1897.
In 1905 and 1906 Skipworth toured with Viola Allen in three productions of Shakespeare, Cymbeline, Twelfth Night, and As You Like It. In the following years she played with James K. Hackett and John Drew, Jr., among other theatre celebrities. Productions in which she was featured are The Torch-Bearers, The Swan, The Enchanted April, The Grand Duchess and the Waiter, Mrs. Dane's Defence and Marseilles.
Film
Skipworth appeared in her first film in 1912, A Mardi Gras Mix-Up. The same year she performed in The Pilgrimage, Into the Jungle, and A Political Kidnapping. In 1930 she made her first talkie, Strictly Unconventional. Skipworth appeared opposite W. C. Fields as his foil in four films: If I Had a Million, Tillie and Gus, Alice in Wonderland, and Six of a Kind. Her film career continued until 1938 with many major supporting roles. Her later screen credits include The Casino Murder Case, The Girl from 10th Avenue, King of the Newsboys, Wide Open Faces, and Ladies in Distress.
Personal life
In 1882, Skipworth married Frank Markham Skipworth, an artist for whom she modeled; they later divorced.
Filmography
A Mardi Gras Mix-Up - The Doctor's WifeThe Pilgrimage - William's MotherInto the Jungle A Political Kidnapping 39 East - Mrs. de MaillyHandcuffs or Kisses - Miss StroddBig Pal - Agatha Briggs, truant officer Strictly Unconventional - Lady Catherine Champion-CheneRaffles - Lady Kitty MelroseOutward Bound - Mrs. Cliveden-BanksDu Barry, Woman of Passion - La GourdanOh, For a Man! - LauraThe Virtuous Husband - Mrs. OlwellThe Night Angel - Countess von MartiniDevotion - Mrs.Matilda CogginsThe Road to Singapore - Mrs. Wey-SmithTonight or Never - Marchesa Bianca San GiovanniThe Unexpected Father - Mrs. HawkinsHigh Pressure - Mrs. Miller Sinners in the Sun - Mrs. BlakeMadame Racketeer - Countess von Claudwig / Martha HicksNight After Night - Miss Mabel JellymanIf I Had a Million - Emily La RueTonight Is Ours - Grand Duchess EmilieHe Learned About Women - Mme. Vivienne PompadourA Lady's Profession - Beulah BonnellThe Song of Songs - Mrs. RasmussenMidnight Club - Lady Barrett-SmytheTillie and Gus - Tillie WinterbottomAlice in Wonderland - DuchessSix of a Kind - Mrs. K. RumfordComing Out Party - Miss Gertrude VanderdoeWharf Angel - Mother BrightShoot the Works - The CountessThe Notorious Sophie Lang - Aunt NellieThe Captain Hates the Sea - Mrs. Yolanda MagruderHere is My Heart - Countess RostovaThe Casino Murder Case - Priscilla Kinkaid LlewellynThe Devil Is a Woman - Senora PerezThe Girl from 10th Avenue - Mrs. MartinBecky Sharp - Miss CrawleyDoubting Thomas - Mrs. PampinelliShanghai - Aunt JaneDangerous - Mrs. WilliamsHitch Hike Lady - Mrs. Amelia BlakeThe Princess Comes Across - Lady GertrudeSatan Met a Lady - Madame BarabbasThe Gorgeous Hussy - Mrs. BeallTwo in a Crowd - Lillie Eckleberger aka Lillie the ToadWhite Hunter - Aunt FrederikaStolen Holiday - SuzanneTwo Wise Maids - Agatha Stanton / Old Lady IronsidesKing of the Newsboys - NoraWide Open Faces - Auntie MarthaLadies in Distress - Josephine Bonney