Actress. She is most remembered for her role as ‘Maid Marian’ in the 1950s television series "The Adventures of Robin Hood”. Born in Birr, County Offaly, Ireland, her father was a bank teller and her mother an amateur actress. After being educated at a local convent, she worked as a secretary until she auditioned for a small role in the film "Captain Boycott" (1947). She played in a number of movies, including "MacBeth" (1949), "Lady Godiva Rides Again" (1951), "Scotland Yard Inspector" (1952), "The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan" (1953), and "The Square Ring" (1953). In 1955, she was cast as ‘Maid Marian’ in the BBC television series of "The Adventures of Robin Hood," which became one of the first British Television programs to have widespread success in the United States. She left the series in 1957, despite receiving thousands of letters asking her to stay, returning to movies to play the role of ‘Siona’ in "The Bridal Path" (1959). Having married British director Frank Launder in 1950, she retired in 1959 to spend time with her two daughters on their farm in Buckinghamshire, England. She played two later movie roles, in 1980 in "The Wildcats of St. Trinian's", and reprised her role of ‘Maid Marian’ in the 1991 movie "Robin Hood: The Movie." Later the family moved to Monaco and became active in local charities and stage productions.
Actress. She is most remembered for her role as ‘Maid Marian’ in the 1950s television series "The Adventures of Robin Hood”. Born in Birr, County Offaly, Ireland, her father was a bank teller and her mother an amateur actress. After being educated at a local convent, she worked as a secretary until she auditioned for a small role in the film "Captain Boycott" (1947). She played in a number of movies, including "MacBeth" (1949), "Lady Godiva Rides Again" (1951), "Scotland Yard Inspector" (1952), "The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan" (1953), and "The Square Ring" (1953). In 1955, she was cast as ‘Maid Marian’ in the BBC television series of "The Adventures of Robin Hood," which became one of the first British Television programs to have widespread success in the United States. She left the series in 1957, despite receiving thousands of letters asking her to stay, returning to movies to play the role of ‘Siona’ in "The Bridal Path" (1959). Having married British director Frank Launder in 1950, she retired in 1959 to spend time with her two daughters on their farm in Buckinghamshire, England. She played two later movie roles, in 1980 in "The Wildcats of St. Trinian's", and reprised her role of ‘Maid Marian’ in the 1991 movie "Robin Hood: The Movie." Later the family moved to Monaco and became active in local charities and stage productions.
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
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