Joyce Grenfell.

Joyce Irene Phipps was born on February 10, 1910 in Knightsbridge, London, the daughter of American-born architect Paul Phipps and socialite Nora Langhorne. She was the niece of politician Nancy Astor and second cousin to actress Ruth Draper. Educated at Francis Holland School and Claremont Fan Court School, she later attended a finishing school in Paris. Her first job was as a radio critic for The Observer.

Grenfell’s first revue appearance came in 1939 with The Little Revue. Her impersonations and satirical songs became a hit. She wrote I’m Going to See You Today in 1942, her signature song. She performed for British troops during World War II. A minor role in Adventure for Two 1943 opposite Laurence Olivier marked her feature film debut. Comedic roles alongside Alastair Sim in The Happiest Days of Your Life 1950, Laughter in Paradise 1951, and The Belles of St Trinian’s 1954 brought her wide recognition. She later appeared in Hitchcock’s Stage Fright 1950, The Americanization of Emily 1964, and The Yellow Rolls-Royce 1964. She also performed on Broadway and on US TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show.

Grenfell married Reginald Reggie Grenfell, a lieutenant colonel in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, in December 1929. They remained married until her death in 1979. She was the daughter of Paul and Nora Phipps, and sister of writer Thomas Phipps. She began writing her memoirs after retiring due to an eye infection.

She received an Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE in 1946 for services to the Forces during World War II. A British postage stamp commemorated her in 1998, and a memorial service took place at Westminster Abbey in 1980. Her comic characters in the St Trinian’s films and her distinctive monologues define her legacy.