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IMDbPro

Martita Hunt(1900-1969)

  • Actress
  • Additional Crew
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
Martita Hunt
Trailer for Becket
Play trailer4:48
Becket (1964)
2 Videos
9 Photos
Popular British character actress known for her rich cluster of queens, dowagers, shrews and evildoers, Martita Hunt was born on a ranch in Argentina to British parents, but moved with her family to England at age 10 for her formal education. On stage at age 21 with the Liverpool Repertory Theatre, she grew in stature as a dramatic actress with the Old Vic before expanding her sights to include film in the 30s. Her imposing glare and fervent gait reminded one of the equally horsey-looking Edna May Oliver, and lent itself to a number of scene-stealing supports in such top-quality British efforts as When Knights Were Bold (1936), Nine Days a Queen (1936), The Mill on the Floss (1936), and The Wicked Lady (1945). But it was her brilliant performance as the mad, reclusive Miss Havisham in the classic period piece Great Expectations (1946) that earned her international recognition and Hollywood quickly took notice. More flavorful roles came her way in the post-war years, both regal and ravaged, with Anastasia (1956), Becket (1964) and The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964) the highlights. In 1949, she won a Broadway Tony award for her "The Madwoman of Chaillot". Martita Hunt died at age 69 of natural causes in London.
BornJanuary 30, 1900
DiedJune 13, 1969(69)
BornJanuary 30, 1900
DiedJune 13, 1969(69)
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank
  • Awards

Photos9

Mylène Demongeot, Geoffrey Horne, Martita Hunt, and Jean Seberg in Bonjour Tristesse (1958)
Dirk Bogarde and Martita Hunt in Song Without End (1960)
Kate Cutler, Martita Hunt, and Fay Wray in When Knights Were Bold (1936)
Martita Hunt and Joan Rice in The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952)
Jean Simmons, Martita Hunt, and Tony Wager in Great Expectations (1946)
Ingrid Bergman, Helen Hayes, and Martita Hunt in Anastasia (1956)
"Great Expectations" Jean Simmons, Martita Hunt 1946 Universal International **I.V.
Jean Simmons, Finlay Currie, Valerie Hobson, Martita Hunt, John Mills, and Tony Wager in Great Expectations (1946)

Known for

Jean Simmons, Finlay Currie, Valerie Hobson, Martita Hunt, John Mills, and Tony Wager in Great Expectations (1946)
Great Expectations
7.8
  • Miss Havisham
  • 1946
Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965)
Bunny Lake Is Missing
7.3
  • Ada Ford
  • 1965
Paradise Lagoon (1957)
Paradise Lagoon
7.1
  • Lady Brocklehurst
  • 1957
Becket (1964)
Becket
7.8
  • Empress Matilda
  • 1964

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actress

  • The Best House in London (1969)
    The Best House in London
  • Arthur Haynes and Nicholas Parsons in The Arthur Haynes Show (1956)
    The Arthur Haynes Show
  • Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965)
    Bunny Lake Is Missing
  • The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964)
    The Unsinkable Molly Brown
  • Earl Cameron, Lee Grant, and Fred Sadoff in The Respectful Prostitute (1964)
    Festival
  • Becket (1964)
    Becket
  • John Gregson in First Night (1963)
    First Night
  • Hancock (1963)
    Hancock
  • George Maharis and Martin Milner in Route 66 (1960)
    Route 66
  • Saki
  • The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm (1962)
    The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm
  • Sykes and A...
  • Thriller (1960)
    Thriller
  • Bob Dylan, David Warner, Ursula Howells, Reg Lye, and Maureen Pryor in The Madhouse on Castle Street (1963)
    BBC Sunday-Night Play
  • I Like Money (1961)
    I Like Money

Additional Crew

  • Jean Simmons, Finlay Currie, Valerie Hobson, Martita Hunt, John Mills, and Tony Wager in Great Expectations (1946)
    Great Expectations
    • (uncredited)

Videos2

Official Teaser Trailer
Trailer 0:58
Official Teaser Trailer
Becket
Trailer 4:48
Becket

Personal details

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    • January 30, 1900
    • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    • June 13, 1969
    • London, England, UK(bronchial asthma)
    • Gareth Hunt(Niece or Nephew)
  • Other works
    She played the title role in the original Broadway production of "The Madwoman of Chaillot", in 1948.
  • Publicity listings
    • 4 Articles

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    In 1933, she was employed by a young Alec Guinness as an acting coach. After 12 lessons she told him, "You'll never make an actor, Mr Guinness", although the two remained friends. Guinness persevered and made his professional stage debut the following year, and in 1946, his film debut as Herbert Pocket in Great Expectations (1946), in which he co-starred with none other than Martita Hunt.
    • Dowager-like features and a stately toned speaking voice

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