Who is Jean Marsh and where is she today? Wiki Bio
Jean Lyndsey Torren Marsh was born in Stoke Newington, London, England, on 1 July 1934, so her zodiac sign is Cancer and she holds British nationality. She is an actress and a writer, best known for starring in the series “Upstairs, Downstairs” between 1971 and 1975, and in “The House of Eliott” in 1991. Jean has retired from acting, and is currently leading a peaceful life at her home in London.
Early life and education
Jean was raised in London with her sister Yvonne Marsh, by their father Henry Charles John Marsh who was a maintenance man, and mother Emmeline Susannah Nightingale Poppy, who was working at a local theatre at its bar and as a dresser.
Jean spent most of her spare time with Emmeline at the theatre, where she became interested in acting, and where a few famous theatre actors and actresses gave her advice on how to act. Jean attended a public high school where she joined the school’s drama club, and appeared in most of the plays. Upon matriculation she didn’t enroll at college, but rather decided to pursue her acting career.
Career as an actress
Jean appeared in numerous movies and TV series, and for her contribution to the British film and TV industry, received the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2012, which is an order of chivalry given to those who have worked in the fields of arts and sciences.
In this article, we will mention some of her most notable appearances.
She launched her career in 1951 by portraying a Beauty Queen Contestant in the comedy film “Lady Godiva Rides Again”, but her role remains uncredited. In 1953 she had a support role in the film “The Limping Man”, which follows the story of a WWII veteran who, after coming back to Britain after the war, finds out that his girlfriend has been involved in some criminal activities with a spy organization. She went on to appear in the comedy film “The Love Lottery” in 1954, the satirical comedy movie “The Rebel” in 1961, and the romantic film “The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone” in 1961.
She portrayed Octavia in the epic historical movie “Cleopatra” in 1963, which was also her first American film, and went on to star in the films “Unearthly Stranger” in 1964, “The Limbo Line” in 1968, and “A Day in the Death of Joe Egg” in 1972. Jean played Monica Barling in the thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock entitled “Frenzy” in 1972, before starring in movies “Dark Places” in 1973 and in “The Eagle Has Landed” in 1976.
Jean appeared in a single episode of the TV series “Hawaii Five-O” in 1978, and this was followed by supporting roles in the horror film “The Changeling” in 1980, and the fantasy movie “Return to Oz” in 1985.
Some of her final roles before retirement were in “Willow” in 1998, “Monarch” in 2000, and “The Heavy” in 2010.
Jean and the TV series “Upstairs, Downstairs”
Jean and Eileen Atkins are credited with the creation of the famous British historical drama series “Upstairs, Downstairs”, which aired its first episode in 1971 and in which Jean portrayed Rose Buck, a house parlourmaid. The series starred Keeley Hawes, Ed Stoppard, and Adrian Scarborough and followed a wealthy family living with their servants in London in 1936. The show was a huge success, winning two British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards (BAFTA) as well as eight Emmys, a Golden Globe and two Royal Television Society Awards.
Jean was nominated for four Emmy Awards for her performance, winning in 1975, and she was also nominated for two Golden Globes.
Love life and relationships
Jean met Jon Pertwee, an actor best known for starring in the series “Doctor Who”, in 1953, and the two dated for over two years before marrying on 2 April 1955, however, they divorced on 8 August 1960 citing irreconcilable differences. Jean went on to date Albert Finney, who was an actor famous for his roles in “Erin Brockovich” in 2000 and “Big Fish” in 2003, and who died on 7 February 2019.
After him, Jean started dating Kenneth Haigh, an English actor best known for portraying Jimmy Porter in the theatre play “Look Back”, and he and Jean stayed together for about two years before splitting.
Jean’s last boyfriend that the public knows about was Sir Michael Edward Lindsay-Hogg, 5th Baronet, whom she dated sometime in the ‘80s. Michael is a British film, theatre, and music director, who was at one point of his career, working with The Beatles creating their promotional videos. He and Jean were together for ten years before separating.
Jean has married only once, she is currently single, and has no children.
Hobbies and other interests
Jean was ill while she was a child, and her therapy was dancing and acting, which is mostly why her mother took her with her to the theatre – she’s remained an avid dancer to this day although she has rarely been practicing it since she turned 60. She was interested in modelling during her teenage years, and posed for numerous magazines before deciding to focus on her acting career; she has also practiced mime at a mime school.
Jean enjoys watching movies and TV series in her spare time, and some of her favorite actors and actresses are Elvis Presley, Marlon Brando and Dominique Dunne, while her favorite movies include “Viva Las Vegas”, “Change of Habit”, and “A Streetcar Named Desire”. She is a lover of animals, prefering dogs over cats, and has had several pets including dogs, fishes and rabbits.
In 2011, Jean suffered a stroke followed by a minor heart attack, and spent nearly the entire year recovering, which caused her to miss the revival of her TV series “Upstairs, Downstairs”.
Appearance and net worth
Jean is 85 years old. She has long brown hair and brown eyes, is 5ft 6ins (1.69m) tall, and weighs around 134lbs (61kgs). As of March 2020, her net worth is estimated at over $2 million.