Sheridan, Dinah (1920–)
Sheridan, Dinah (1920–)
English actress. Born Dinah Nadyejda Mec, Sept 17, 1920, in Hampstead, England; dau. of James Mec and Lisa Mec (both photographers); attended Sherrards Wood School; trained at Italia Conti school; married Jimmy Hanley (actor), May 8, 1942 (div. 1952); m. Sir John Davis (executive at Rank), 1954 (div. 1965); m. Jack Merivale (actor), 1986 (died 1990); m. Aubrey Ison, 1992; children: (1st m.) Jeremy Hanley (b. 1945, member of Parliament), Jenny Hanley (b. 1947, model and actress); and daughter who died at birth.
Star of the comedy classic Genevieve, made London stage debut at 12; joined a tour of Peter Pan, playing Wendy to Elsa Lanchester's Peter; throughout teens, continued acting in theater; made 1st film, Irish and Proud of It (1936), at 16; appeared in films regularly, including Get Cracking (1943) with George Formby, but never quite made it to stardom; filmed 23rd movie, Genevieve (1953), which was a huge hit; retired from the screen on marriage (1954); following divorce (1965), returned to stage and film; played the mother in The Railway Children (1972); made last on-screen appearance (1980), in The Mirror Crack'd.
See also Women in World History.