VH
Photo of Valerie Hobson

Valerie Hobson

Actor
Died November 13, 1998 (81 years)
Valerie Hobson (14 April 1917 – 13 November 1998) was a British actress who appeared in a number of British films during the 1940s and 1950s. She was born Babette Valerie Louise Hobson in Larne, County Antrim, Ireland.

She appeared as Baroness Frankenstein in Bride of Frankenstein (1935) with Boris Karloff and Colin Clive, taking over the role from Mae Clarke, who had played it in the original Frankenstein (1931). Hobson also played opposite Henry Hull that same year in Werewolf of London, the first Hollywood werewolf movie, predating The Wolf Man by six years.

The latter half of the 1940s saw Hobson in perhaps her two most memorable roles: as the adult Estella in David Lean's 1946 adaptation of Great Expectations, and as the refined and virtuous Edith D'Ascoyne in the 1949 black comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets.

In 1952 she divorced her first husband, film producer Sir Anthony Havelock-Allan (1904–2003), and married MP John Profumo (1915–2006) in 1954, giving up acting shortly afterwards

Valerie Hobson's last starring role was in the original London production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical play The King and I which opened at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on October 8, 1953. She played Mrs. Anna Leonowens opposite Herbert Lom's King.

After Profumo's ministerial career ended in disgrace in 1963, following revelations he had lied to the House of Commons about his affair with Christine Keeler, she stood by him, and they worked together for charity for the remainder of her life.

Hobson's eldest son, Simon Anthony Clerveaux Havelock-Allan was born in May 1944 with Down's Syndrome. Her middle child, Mark Havelock-Allan, was born on 4 April 1951. Her youngest child is author David Profumo, (b. 16 October 1955) wrote Bringing the House Down (2006) about the scandal.

She died of a heart attack in London in 1998 and is buried in Surrey, England.

Description above from the Wikipedia Valerie Hobson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Movies & Shows on Plex
  • Great Expectations
  • U-Boat 29
  • The Adventures of Tartu
  • Blanche Fury
  • Life Returns
Known For
  • Great Expectations
  • Kind Hearts and Coronets
  • Bride of Frankenstein
  • Werewolf of London
  • The Rocking Horse Winner
  • Blanche Fury
  • U-Boat 29
  • Blackout
  • The Promoter
  • The Adventures of Tartu
  • Clouds Over Europe
  • The Interrupted Journey
  • The Drum
  • Murder Will Out
  • Knave of Hearts
  • Unpublished Story
  • August Weekend
  • The Years Between
  • Life Returns
  • The Passionate Sentry

Filmography

1998
Universal Horror · as Cast
1994
1984
A Sign Is a Fine Investment · as Advertisement For Lux Soap
1954
Knave of Hearts · as Catherine Ripois
1953
Edge of Divorce · as Barbie Lomax
1952
Tonight at 8:30 · as Stella Cartwright
1952
Murder Will Out · as Alycia Roche
1952
The Promoter · as Countess Of Chell
1952
The Passionate Sentry · as Alex Cornwall
1949
Train of Events · as Stella
1949
The Rocking Horse Winner · as Hester Grahame
1949
The Interrupted Journey · as Carol North
1949
Kind Hearts and Coronets · as Edith D'ascoyne
1948
The Hideout · as Eleanor Byrne
1948
Blanche Fury · as Blanche Fury
1946
1946
The Years Between · as Diana Wentworth
1943
The Adventures of Tartu · as Maruschuka Lanova
1942
Unpublished Story · as Carol Bennett
1941
Sons of the Sea · as Mary Ann Morison
1940
Blackout · as Mrs. Sorensen
1939
U-Boat 29 · as The School Mistress
1939
Clouds Over Europe · as Kay Lawrence
1938
This Man Is News · as Pat Drake
1938
The Drum · as Mrs. Carruthers
1937
When Thief Meets Thief · as Glory Fane
1936
The Spy in White · as Tania
1936
August Weekend · as Claire Barry
1935
The Great Impersonation · as Eleanor Dominey
1935
Chinatown Squad · as Janet Baker
1935
Werewolf of London · as Lisa Glendon
1935
Bride of Frankenstein · as Elizabeth
1935
Oh, What a Night · as Susan
1935
Mystery of Edwin Drood · as Helena Landless
1934
Life Returns · as Mrs. Kendrick
1934
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head · as Mimi - Carnival Girl
1934
Great Expectations · as Biddy
1934
The Path of Glory · as Maria
1934
1933
For Love of You · as Minor Role
1932
His Lordship · as Last Face In Montage (uncredited)

Take Plex everywhere

Watch free anytime, anywhere, on almost any device.
See the full list of supported devices