Anna Quayle


Anne Veronica Maria Quayle, known professionally as Anna Quayle, was an English actress. In 1963, she received a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance in the original production of Stop the World – I Want to Get Off.

Early and personal life

Quayle was born in Birmingham, England as Anne Veronica Maria Quayle on 6 October 1932 and raised in a staunchly Catholic home. Her parents were actor Douglas Quayle and Kathleen Parke. Quayle was educated at the Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Quayle debuted in East Lynne at age 3 and played other children's roles thereafter.
In 1976, she married Donald Baker, but the marriage ended in divorce.

Career

Quayle appeared on film, on stage and on television. After her graduation from RADA, she appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Better Late. Her film appearances include A Hard Day's Night, Smashing Time, the German expressionist sequence of Casino Royale, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Quayle appeared on Broadway in 1963 in the original production of Stop the World - I Want to Get Off opposite Anthony Newley, for which she won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Musical Actress. She also appeared in productions of that musical in London and South Africa.
Her other television work includes the comedy drama Mapp and Lucia, the children's science fiction series The Georgian House, and Grange Hill where she played the role of Mrs Monroe between 1990 and 1994. She appeared as a regular panellist on the popular BBC2 panel game show What's My Line? in 1973.

Death

Quayle was diagnosed in 2012 with Lewy body dementia and died on 16 August 2019.

Selected filmography

Television