Constance Cummings

Constance Cummings, CBE (May 15, 1910 – November 23, 2005), born Constance Halverstadt, was an American-born British actress, known for her work on both screen and stage.

Life and career

Cummings was born in Seattle, Washington, the daughter of Kate Logan (née Cummings), a concert soprano, and Dallas Vernon Halverstadt, a lawyer. She began as a stage actress, landing her first role on Broadway in Treasure Girl (1928) by the age of 18. While appearing on Broadway, she was discovered by Samuel Goldwyn, who brought her to Hollywood in 1931. Between 1931 and 1934, Cummings appeared in more than twenty films, including the Harold Lloyd films Movie Crazy and American Madness, directed by Frank Capra.

She was married to the playwright and screenwriter Benn Levy from 1933 until his death in 1973. Cummings was uncomfortable in Hollywood and moved to Britain, where she continued acting, both in films and on the stage. Few of her films were hits in the U.S., although Blithe Spirit, adapted from the Noël Coward play, was popular. Levy went on to write and direct films for Cummings, such as The Jealous God (1939); he also served in the UK Parliament from 1945-50 as the Labour MP for Eton and Slough. They had a son and a daughter.