Brand, Phoebe (1907–2004)

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Brand, Phoebe (1907–2004)

American actress and theater founder. Name variations: Phoebe Brand Carnovsky. Born 1907 in Syracuse, NY; grew up in nearby Ilion; died July 3, 2004, in New York, NY; dau. of chief mechanical engineer for Remington typewriters; m. Morris Carnovsky (actor), 1941 (died 1992); children: Stephen Carnovsky.

Began career appearing in Gilbert and Sullivan revivals; with others, formed the prestigious Group Theater (1931), a radical company dealing with social issues; originated several parts with the Group, including Hennie Berger in Awake and Sing! and Anna in Golden Boy; blacklisted during the McCarthy era along with husband, began to teach acting; helped found Theater in the Street (1960s); made film debut at age 86 in Louis Malle's Vanya on 42nd Street (1994).