From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia Constance Cummings CBE May 15 1910 November 23 2005 was an Americanborn British actress known for her work on both screen and stage Born Constance Halverstadt in Seattle Washington to Dallas Halverstadt and Kate Cummings she began as a stage actress landing her first role on Broadway by the age of 18 While appearing on Broadway she was discovered by Sam Goldwyn who brought her to Hollywood in 1931 Between 1931 and 1934 Cummings appeared in 21 films most notably the Harold Lloyd picture Movie Crazy and American Madness directed by Frank Capra She was married to the playwright and screenwriter Benn Levy MBE from 1933 until his death in 1973 Levy went on to write and direct films for Cummings such as The Jealous God 1939 he also served in the United Kingdom Parliament from 194550 as the Labour MP for Eton and Slough They had a son and a daughter Cummings was uncomfortable in Hollywood and moved to England where she continued acting both in movies and on the stage Few of these films became popular in America although included amongst those that did is Blithe Spirit adapted from a play by Sir Noël Coward In 1974 Cummings who resided in the UK for many decades was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to the British entertainment industry She played Mary Tyrone in the Royal National Theatres production of Eugene ONeills Long Days Journey into Night opposite Sir Laurence Olivier to great acclaim She later recreated the role for a television version In 1979 she won a Tony Award for Best Actress for her performance in the role in the play Wings written by Arthur Kopit of Emily Stilson a former aviator who has suffered a stroke from which she struggles to recover She was a committee member of the Royal Court Theatre and the Arts Council Despite her truncated career in the US she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6211 Hollywood Blvd Constance Cummings Levy died on November 23 2005 at the age of 95 Description above from the Wikipedia article Constance Cummings licensed under CCBYSA full list of contributors on Wikipedia
HydraHD
