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IMDbPro

Bernadette O'Farrell(1924-1999)

  • Actress
IMDbProStarmeter
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Alexander Gauge, Richard Greene, Bernadette O'Farrell, and Leslie Phillips in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955)
Although often seen in the St. Trinian's movies, written by Sidney Gilliat and her husband, Frank Launder, it was her role as Maid Marian in the long-running Robin Hood series that catapulted her to stardom. The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955) became one of the first British Television programs to succeed in the United States, having over 30 million viewers. O'Farrell left the series in 1957 despite receiving thousands of letters asking her to stay. She was born in Birr, County Offaly, Ireland, in 1926. Her father was a bank teller, and her mother was an amateur actress. After being educated at a local convent, she was working as a secretary when she was invited to an audition by Sir Carol Reed. Through Reed, she met Frank Launder, who gave her a small part in Captain Boycott (1947) opposite Stewart Granger. After several movies, including Launder's St. Trinian's series, some stage work and Robin Hood, she starred in her last movie, The Bridal Path (1959) in 1959. She retired from acting to spend time with her family on their farm in Buckinghamshire, England, UK. She and Launder were married in 1950 and had two daughters. They would later move to Monaco and become active in local charities and stage productions. While living in Monaco, Frank suffered a serious stroke in 1989 and, finally, a fatal heart attack in 1997. Bernadette O'Farrell died on September 29, 1999, after battling with cancer.
BornJanuary 30, 1924
DiedSeptember 26, 1999(75)
BornJanuary 30, 1924
DiedSeptember 26, 1999(75)
IMDbProStarmeter
See rank

Photos9

Bernadette O'Farrell in Maid Marian (1955)
Lionel Jeffries, Bernadette O'Farrell, and Alan Wheatley in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955)
Richard Greene, Francis Matthews, and Bernadette O'Farrell in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955)
Jill Esmond, Richard Greene, and Bernadette O'Farrell in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955)
Peter Asher and Bernadette O'Farrell in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955)
Richard Greene and Bernadette O'Farrell in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955)
Richard Greene and Bernadette O'Farrell in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955)
Richard Greene and Bernadette O'Farrell in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955)

Known for

Gilbert and Sullivan (1953)
Gilbert and Sullivan
6.9
  • Jessie Bond
  • 1953
Margaret Rutherford and Alastair Sim in The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950)
The Happiest Days of Your Life
7.2
  • Miss Harper
  • 1950
Richard Greene in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955)
The Adventures of Robin Hood
7.6
TV Series
  • Maid Marian
  • Marian
BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950)
BBC Sunday-Night Theatre
8.2
TV Series
  • Nell Gwyn

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actress

  • The Wildcats of St. Trinian's (1980)
    The Wildcats of St. Trinian's
  • ITV Play of the Week (1955)
    ITV Play of the Week
  • The Bridal Path (1959)
    The Bridal Path
  • Richard Greene in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955)
    The Adventures of Robin Hood
  • The Square Ring (1953)
    The Square Ring
  • The Genie (1953)
    The Genie
  • Rheingold Theatre (1953)
    Rheingold Theatre
  • Gilbert and Sullivan (1953)
    Gilbert and Sullivan
  • Scotland Yard Inspector (1952)
    Scotland Yard Inspector
  • BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950)
    BBC Sunday-Night Theatre
  • Diana Dors in Bikini Baby (1951)
    Bikini Baby
  • Kathleen Byron in Life in Her Hands (1951)
    Life in Her Hands
  • Margaret Rutherford and Alastair Sim in The Happiest Days of Your Life (1950)
    The Happiest Days of Your Life
  • Is Life Worth Living?
  • Macbeth/II

Personal details

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    • January 30, 1924
    • Birr, County Offaly, Ireland
    • September 26, 1999
    • Monaco(undisclosed)
    • Frank Launder1950 - February 23, 1997 (his death, 2 children)

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    She trained for ballet but gave it up to work in a solicitor's office.

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