Contents
Jessica Tandy
Creating Blanche DuBois on Broadway and starring in Driving Miss Daisy.
A Streetcar Named Desire · Driving Miss Daisy
- Born
- 7 June 1909
- Birthplace
- London
- Died
- 11 September 1994
More people
Jessica Tandy
English-American actor whose career stretched from London theatre to late-life film success. Won Tony, Emmy and Academy Awards.
Early life
London childhood
Grew up in Hackney and attended Dame Alice Owen’s School. Her father died when she was twelve, and her mother taught evening classes to support the family.
Career
- 1927
Stage debut
Began professional work in London at eighteen.
- 1944
American films
Appeared in The Seventh Cross after moving to the United States.
- 1947–1948
Broadway breakthrough
Created Blanche in A Streetcar Named Desire and won a Tony.
- 1990
Academy Award
Won Best Actress for Driving Miss Daisy at eighty.
Selected work
A Streetcar Named Desire
Originated the central role in Tennessee Williams’s Broadway production.
Driving Miss Daisy
Played the elderly Atlanta woman at the centre of the film.
Beyond work
Family
Married Jack Hawkins in 1932 and, after their divorce, Hume Cronyn in 1942. Had three children and became a US citizen in 1952.
Sources & photo credit
Biography and career ↗Biographical references ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
Photo: Unknown photographer. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.