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British actress Fay Compton came from a notable
acting lineage; her father was actor/manager
Edward Compton; her mother, Virginia Bateman, was
a distinguished member of the profession, as were
her sister, the actress Viola Compton, and her
uncles and aunts. Her grandfather was 19th-century
theatrical luminary, Henry Compton.  The novelist
Sir Compton Mackenzie, was her brother.

Fay Compton was born as Virginia Lilian Emeline
Mackenzie Compton, in London, England, United
Kingdom|UK, on September 18, 1894. Compton made
her first professional appearances in between 1911
and 1913 with The Follies under the leadership of
H.G. Pélissier, her future husband. She made her
mark in the several plays of J. M. Barrie (of
Peter Pan fame) introducing him to London
audiences, notably in the title role of Mary Rose
in 1920. Active in the classics as well as
contemporary material, Compton had the distinction
of playing Ophelia opposite two of the most
celebrated Hamlets, John Barrymore and John
Gielgud.

Compton's film work is not as well known or as
highly regarded as her stage appearances, but she
managed to squeeze many solvent screen roles in
more than forty movies between 1914 and 1970. Her
most popular performances in films are Odd Man Out
(1947), Laughter in Paradise (1951) Orson Welles'
Othello (1952) and The Haunting (1963). In
addition to her resume, she lead a successful
career in the radio, television and gramophone
recordings. Compton is the mother of British
director Anthony Pélisser, whose most significant
films were H.G. Wells' The History of Mr. Polly
(1949), D.H. Lawrence's The Rocking Horse Winner
(1950) and Somerset Maugham's Encore (1950). Her
grandaughter is the actress, Tracy Reed. Also,
distinguished figures like Sir Alec Guinness, John
Le Mesurier, Jan Sterling, Sally Gray, Joe
Mitcheson and Elton Hayes, developed their acting
career in her Fay Compton School of Dramatic Arts.
 One of her last major roles was as Aunt Ann in
the BBC's 1967 television adaptation of The
Forsyte Saga.

Fay Compton died on December 12, 1978, in London,
England, United Kingdom|UK.

==External links==
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* http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0174029/ Filmography