Jill Esmond
About
Biography
Filmography
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Biography
Elegant, sophisticated British lead and supporting actress who fluctuated between stage and screen on both sides of the Atlantic. First wife of Laurence Olivier (1930-40), with whom she went to Hollywood for a screen test in 1931; both secured contracts with RKO, but Esmond was judged the more desirable film property and made several Hollywood films, often playing socialites, before returning to the London stage with Olivier in the early 1930s. She became a supporting player during the 1940s. Mother of Olivier's first son, (Simon) Tarquin Olivier.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Life Events
1922
First role on London stage as Nibs in "Peter Pan", starring Gladys Cooper
1924
Returned to stage in "Eternal Spring"
1925
Acted with mother Eva Moore in stage play "Mary, Mary Quite Contrary"
1925
Appeared in Noel Coward's "Hay Fever"
1927
Breakthrough theatrical role, a suicide in "Outward Bound"
1928
Met Laurence Olivier when they appeared together on stage in London in "Bird in Hand"
1928
Starred in Broadway production of "Bird in Hand"; Olivier was not invited to reprise his role in NYC
1930
Returned to London
1930
Film acting debut in the British "The Chinese Bungalow"; billed as Jill Esmond-Moore
1930
Returned to USA to co-star with Olivier on Broadway in Coward's "Private Lives"
1931
Appeared in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Skin Game"
1931
Hollywood debut, "Once a Lady"
1933
Returned to London
1939
Made early TV appearance in the BBC presentation "Prison Without Bars"
1940
Moved to the USA (New York City) to avoid the repeated bombings in London during WWII; lived with Jessica Tandy
1941
Relocated to Los Angeles; shared a house with Ella Donat and her children
1942
Acted in "Eagle Squadron"; son Tarquin made film debut
1942
Had featured role in "Random Harvest"
1942
Co-starred with Gregory Peck and Gladys Cooper in the short-lived Broadway production "Morning Star"
1945
Returned to London
1946
Appeared as the Queen in "The Bandit of Sherwood Forrest"; mother Eva Moore had small role in film
1946
Appeared in the West End and on tour in "The Eagle Has Two Heads"
1955
Final feature, "A Man Called Peter"; played the title character's Scottish mother
1955
Had recurring role as Queen Eleanor on "The Adventures of Robin Hood"
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