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==Early life==
==Early life==
Born in London, Joyce was the daughter of architect Paul Phipps (1880-1953), (the grandson of [[Charles Paul Phipps]] and a second cousin of [[Ruth Draper]]), and an eccentric American mother, Nora Langhorne (1889-1955), the daughter of [[Chiswell Langhorne]], an American railroad millionaire. [[Nancy Astor]], née Nancy Langhorne, was her mother's sister.
Born in London, Joyce was the daughter of architect Paul Phipps (1880–1953), (the grandson of [[Charles Paul Phipps]] and a second cousin of [[Ruth Draper]]), and an eccentric American mother, Nora Langhorne (1889–1955), the daughter of [[Chiswell Langhorne]], an American railroad millionaire. [[Nancy Astor]], née Nancy Langhorne, was her mother's sister.


Joyce Phipps grew up around money and privilege. She had a London childhood and considered herself a "townie". Joyce attended the [[Francis Holland School]] in Central London, and the Christian Science School, Clearview, in [[South Norwood]], and then she was "finished" in Paris where she attended Mlle. Ozanne's finishing school at the age of 17.
Joyce Phipps grew up around money and privilege. She had a London childhood and considered herself a "townie". Joyce attended the [[Francis Holland School]] in Central London, and the Christian Science School, Clearview, in [[South Norwood]], and then she was "finished" in Paris where she attended Mlle. Ozanne's finishing school at the age of 17.


In 1927, she met [[Reginald Pascoe Grenfell]] (1903-1993); they were married two years later at [[St. Margaret's, Westminster]]; they remained married for 50 years (until her death).
In 1927, she met [[Reginald Pascoe Grenfell]] (1903–1993); they were married two years later at [[St. Margaret's, Westminster]]; they remained married for 50 years (until her death).


She made her stage debut in 1939 in the ''Little Revue''. In 1942 she wrote what became her signature song, "I'm Going to See You Today."
She made her stage debut in 1939 in the ''Little Revue''. In 1942 she wrote what became her signature song, "I'm Going to See You Today."
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Grenfell is now best remembered for her one-woman shows and monologues, in which she invented roles including a harassed nursery teacher (''"George - don't do that"''). She gained additional popularity as a result of her frequent appearances on the BBC's classical music quiz show, ''[[Face the Music]]''. Although her humour appeared light and frilly on the surface, underneath there was always a surprisingly darker undertone.
Grenfell is now best remembered for her one-woman shows and monologues, in which she invented roles including a harassed nursery teacher (''"George - don't do that"''). She gained additional popularity as a result of her frequent appearances on the BBC's classical music quiz show, ''[[Face the Music]]''. Although her humour appeared light and frilly on the surface, underneath there was always a surprisingly darker undertone.


Much of the music for Grenfell's revues and shows was the result of a collaboration with the composers and pianists [[Richard Addinsell]] and [[William Blezard]]. From 1954-1974, Blezard composed Grenfell's songs and spoof operettas such as Freda and Eric. They performed on stage and television all over Britain, America and Australia.
Much of the music for Grenfell's revues and shows was the result of a collaboration with the composers and pianists [[Richard Addinsell]] and [[William Blezard]]. From 1954–1974, Blezard composed Grenfell's songs and spoof operettas such as Freda and Eric. They performed on stage and television all over Britain, America and Australia.


Grenfell was a member of the [[Church of Christ, Scientist]], a religious organisation based on Christianity and [[Faith healing|spiritual healing]].
Grenfell was a member of the [[Church of Christ, Scientist]], a religious organisation based on Christianity and [[Faith healing|spiritual healing]].
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She was taken ill in 1973 with an eye infection, was subsequently diagnosed with cancer, and retired from performing. In October 1979 she had the eye removed, but died a month later. She was cremated and her ashes are at the [[Golders Green Crematorium]]. In February 1980, a memorial service was held at [[Westminster Abbey]], the first time such an honour had been granted to a comedian. Only [[Les Dawson]] and [[Ronnie Barker]] have been similarly honoured since. Grenfell was created an [[Order of the British Empire|Officer of the British Empire]] (OBE) in 1946. It was confirmed after her death that she would have been made a Dame Commander (DBE) in the 1980 New Year's Honours List. In 1998, the Royal Mail memorialised Grenfell with her image on a [[List of people on stamps of the United Kingdom|postage stamp]] as part of a series of stamps celebrating ''Heroes of Comedy''.
She was taken ill in 1973 with an eye infection, was subsequently diagnosed with cancer, and retired from performing. In October 1979 she had the eye removed, but died a month later. She was cremated and her ashes are at the [[Golders Green Crematorium]]. In February 1980, a memorial service was held at [[Westminster Abbey]], the first time such an honour had been granted to a comedian. Only [[Les Dawson]] and [[Ronnie Barker]] have been similarly honoured since. Grenfell was created an [[Order of the British Empire|Officer of the British Empire]] (OBE) in 1946. It was confirmed after her death that she would have been made a Dame Commander (DBE) in the 1980 New Year's Honours List. In 1998, the Royal Mail memorialised Grenfell with her image on a [[List of people on stamps of the United Kingdom|postage stamp]] as part of a series of stamps celebrating ''Heroes of Comedy''.


Her widower, Reggie Grenfell, died in [[Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea|Kensington and Chelsea]], [[London]], in 1993, aged 89.<ref>[http://www.findmypast.com/BirthsMarriagesDeaths.jsp Deaths England and Wales 1984-2006]</ref>
Her widower, Reggie Grenfell, died in [[Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea|Kensington and Chelsea]], [[London]], in 1993, aged 89.<ref>[http://www.findmypast.com/BirthsMarriagesDeaths.jsp Deaths England and Wales 1984–2006]</ref>


In 2002, her friend and author [[Janie Hampton]] published the book ''Joyce Grenfell''. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, she was voted amongst the top 50 comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.
In 2002, her friend and author [[Janie Hampton]] published the book ''Joyce Grenfell''. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, she was voted amongst the top 50 comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.
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* {{cite book|author=Joyce Grenfell|authorlink=Joyce Grenfell|title=George, don't do that|publisher=Macmillan|location=London|year=1977|isbn=0-3332-2080-3}}
* {{cite book|author=Joyce Grenfell|authorlink=Joyce Grenfell|title=George, don't do that|publisher=Macmillan|location=London|year=1977|isbn=0-3332-2080-3}}
* {{cite book|author=Joyce Grenfell|authorlink=Joyce Grenfell|title=In pleasant places|publisher=Macmillan|location=London|year=1979|isbn=0-3332-7288-9}}
* {{cite book|author=Joyce Grenfell|authorlink=Joyce Grenfell|title=In pleasant places|publisher=Macmillan|location=London|year=1979|isbn=0-3332-7288-9}}
* {{cite book|author=Joyce Grenfell|authorlink=Joyce Grenfell|title=Darling Ma|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|location=London|year=1988|isbn=0-3404-2368-4|editor=Edited by James Roose-Evans}} Letters to her Mother, 1932-1944
* {{cite book|author=Joyce Grenfell|authorlink=Joyce Grenfell|title=Darling Ma|publisher=Hodder & Stoughton|location=London|year=1988|isbn=0-3404-2368-4|editor=Edited by James Roose-Evans}} Letters to her Mother, 1932–1944
* {{cite book|author=Joyce Grenfell|authorlink=Joyce Grenfell|title= Hats off: Poems and drawings|publisher=John Murray|location=London|year=2000|isbn=0-7195-6152-3|coauthors=Compiled and introduced by Janie Hampton}}
* {{cite book|author=Joyce Grenfell|authorlink=Joyce Grenfell|title= Hats off: Poems and drawings|publisher=John Murray|location=London|year=2000|isbn=0-7195-6152-3|coauthors=Compiled and introduced by Janie Hampton}}


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|PLACE OF DEATH = [[London]], [[England]]
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{{Lifetime| 1910 | 1979 |Grenfell, Joyce}}

[[Category:English Christian Scientists]]
[[Category:English Christian Scientists]]
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[[Category:London actors]]
[[Category:Cancer deaths in England]]
[[Category:Cancer deaths in England]]
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{{Lifetime| 1910 | 1979 |Grenfell, Joyce}}

Revision as of 19:36, 31 July 2009

Joyce Grenfell
File:Grenfellcd.jpg
CD cover of collection of songs
Born
Joyce Irene Phipps
SpouseReggie Grenfell (1929-79)

Joyce Irene Grenfell, OBE (née Phipps; 10 February 1910 – 30 November 1979) was an English actress, comedienne and singer-songwriter.

Early life

Born in London, Joyce was the daughter of architect Paul Phipps (1880–1953), (the grandson of Charles Paul Phipps and a second cousin of Ruth Draper), and an eccentric American mother, Nora Langhorne (1889–1955), the daughter of Chiswell Langhorne, an American railroad millionaire. Nancy Astor, née Nancy Langhorne, was her mother's sister.

Joyce Phipps grew up around money and privilege. She had a London childhood and considered herself a "townie". Joyce attended the Francis Holland School in Central London, and the Christian Science School, Clearview, in South Norwood, and then she was "finished" in Paris where she attended Mlle. Ozanne's finishing school at the age of 17.

In 1927, she met Reginald Pascoe Grenfell (1903–1993); they were married two years later at St. Margaret's, Westminster; they remained married for 50 years (until her death).

She made her stage debut in 1939 in the Little Revue. In 1942 she wrote what became her signature song, "I'm Going to See You Today."

Career

During World War II, Grenfell toured India, North Africa and the Middle East with a company performing for British troops. In 1989, her wartime journals were published under the title The Time of My Life: Entertaining the Troops. Her singing and comedic talents on stage led to offers to appear in motion picture comedies. Although she performed in a number of films, she continued with her musical recording career, producing a number of humorous albums as well as books.

As a writer at the BBC during and just after the war, she collaborated with Stephen Potter in writing the "How" series of 30 satirical programmes from How to Talk to Children to How to Listen. During the 1950s she made her name as a sidekick to such comedy greats as Alastair Sim and Margaret Rutherford in films such as The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950) and the St Trinian's series. She was also a member of the influential Pilkington Committee on Broadcasting from 1960 to 1962. Her fame reached as far as the U.S.A. and she appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show alongside Elvis Presley[1].

Grenfell is now best remembered for her one-woman shows and monologues, in which she invented roles including a harassed nursery teacher ("George - don't do that"). She gained additional popularity as a result of her frequent appearances on the BBC's classical music quiz show, Face the Music. Although her humour appeared light and frilly on the surface, underneath there was always a surprisingly darker undertone.

Much of the music for Grenfell's revues and shows was the result of a collaboration with the composers and pianists Richard Addinsell and William Blezard. From 1954–1974, Blezard composed Grenfell's songs and spoof operettas such as Freda and Eric. They performed on stage and television all over Britain, America and Australia.

Grenfell was a member of the Church of Christ, Scientist, a religious organisation based on Christianity and spiritual healing.

Death and after

She was taken ill in 1973 with an eye infection, was subsequently diagnosed with cancer, and retired from performing. In October 1979 she had the eye removed, but died a month later. She was cremated and her ashes are at the Golders Green Crematorium. In February 1980, a memorial service was held at Westminster Abbey, the first time such an honour had been granted to a comedian. Only Les Dawson and Ronnie Barker have been similarly honoured since. Grenfell was created an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in 1946. It was confirmed after her death that she would have been made a Dame Commander (DBE) in the 1980 New Year's Honours List. In 1998, the Royal Mail memorialised Grenfell with her image on a postage stamp as part of a series of stamps celebrating Heroes of Comedy.

Her widower, Reggie Grenfell, died in Kensington and Chelsea, London, in 1993, aged 89.[2]

In 2002, her friend and author Janie Hampton published the book Joyce Grenfell. In a 2005 poll to find The Comedian's Comedian, she was voted amongst the top 50 comedy acts ever by fellow comedians and comedy insiders.

Maureen Lipman has often toured with the one-woman show Re: Joyce!, which she co-wrote with James Roose-Evans. In it she recreates some of Grenfell's best-known sketches. This performance is available on DVD. Roose-Evans also edited Darling Ma, a 1997 collection of Grenfell's letters to her mother.

Filmography

Other works

  • Joyce Grenfell (1976). Joyce Grenfell requests the pleasure. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-3331-9428-4.
  • Joyce Grenfell (1977). George, don't do that. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-3332-2080-3.
  • Joyce Grenfell (1979). In pleasant places. London: Macmillan. ISBN 0-3332-7288-9.
  • Joyce Grenfell (1988). Edited by James Roose-Evans (ed.). Darling Ma. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0-3404-2368-4. {{cite book}}: |editor= has generic name (help) Letters to her Mother, 1932–1944
  • Joyce Grenfell (2000). Hats off: Poems and drawings. London: John Murray. ISBN 0-7195-6152-3. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

References

  1. ^ BBC4 Documentary The Real Joyce Grenfell (broadcast Monday 2 July 2007 20:00 GMT)
  2. ^ Deaths England and Wales 1984–2006

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Joyce Grenfell.

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| #default =  1910  births

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|| LIVING  = 
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| UNKNOWN  = 
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}}

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