Hird, Thora (1911–2003)
Hird, Thora (1911–2003)
English stage and screen actress and patron of the arts. Name variations: Dame Thora Hird. Born May 28, 1911, in Morecambe, England; died Mar 15, 2003, in Brinsworth House, Twickenham, Middlesex, England; dau. of the manager of the Royalty Teatre in Morecambe; m. James Scott, May 3, 1937 (died 1994); children: Janette Scott (actress).
In a career that spanned 8 decades, made stage debut as a child and London debut as Mrs. Gaye in No Medals (1944); made film debut in The Big Blockade (1942), followed by Go to Blazes, 2,000 Women, The Courtneys of Curzon Street, Maytime in Mayfair, The Magic Box, Time Gentleman Please!, Simon and Laura, Sailor Beware!, The Entertainer, Rattle of a Simple Man and Consuming Passions, among many others; on tv, had recurring roles on "Ours is a Nice House," "Meet the Wife," "Flesh and Blood," "In Loving Memory," "Hallelujah!" and "Last of the Summer Wine"; presenter of the BBC1 religious program "Your Songs of Praise Choice" (later titled"Praise Be!"); subject of BBC1's "This Is Your Life" (1996). Named Officer of the British Empire (OBE, 1983) and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE, 1993); won BAFTA award for Best Television Actress for "Talking Heads" (1987) and an honorary BAFTA(1993).