Constance Cummings Biography

Fast Facts

• Was named a Commander of the British Empire for her contributions to entertainment in 1974
• Won a London Theatre Critics Award for Best Actress for "Long Day's Journey Into Night" in 1971
• Won a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, and an Obie Award for her role in the Broadway production of "Wings" in 1979
• Made her Broadway debut as part of the chorus line in 1928's "Treasure Girl" before earning larger roles in "The Little Show" in 1929 and "This Man's Town" in 1930
• Made her screen acting debut in the Howard Hanks film "The Criminal Code" in 1931
• Studied ballet briefly before becoming an actress, making her debut in a production of "Seventh Heaven" at the age of 16
• Quote: "(On continuing to accept roles well into her late 80s): "I've worked all my life․․․and I still feel I ought to be working․․․I don't remember things and names․․․but I don't find it difficult to remember lines․""
• Best known as a stage and film actress who starred in "Blithe Spirit" and "Movie Crazy․"
• In addition to appearing in a number of Shakespeare plays and other classics, she played Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" in 1964 and Mary Tyrone in "Long Day's Journey Into Night" in 1971