Penelope Dudley-Ward


Penelope Ann Rachel, Lady Reed, known as Penelope Dudley-Ward, was an English actress.

Biography

Born in London, she was the elder daughter of William Dudley Ward and the leading socialite Freda Dudley Ward, her mother being best remembered for being the long-time mistress of the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VIII. She was a leading lady in several British films during the 1930s and 1940s. She announced her retirement from the screen following her second marriage.
Her first marriage, to Anthony Pelissier, lasted from 29 December 1939, until their divorce in 1944; the couple had one daughter, the actress Tracy Reed. Dudley-Ward married film director Carol Reed on 24 January 1948. They had one son, Max Reed, born 14 September 1948. Dudley-Ward and Reed remained married until he died in 1976.
Lady Reed died from a brain tumour in January 1982 at the age of 67, fourteen months before her mother.

Filmography