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Anna Massey Obituary
Massey died Saturday after a battle with cancer, with her husband and son at her side, her agent Pippa Markham said Monday.
The actress was born in 1937 into a performing family — her father was Canadian actor Raymond Massey and her mother British actress Adrianne Allen. Her brother Daniel Massey also became an actor, and her godfather was director John Ford.
Massey made her West End stage debut at 17 in "The Reluctant Debutante" and her film debut in Ford's 1958 police procedural "Gideon's Day."
She had roles in films including Michael Powell's classic chiller "Peeping Tom," Otto Preminger's "Bunny Lake is Missing," Alfred Hitchcock's "Frenzy" and the 2002 adaptation of "The Importance of Being Earnest," in which she played the comic governess Miss Prism.
Massey worked most frequently in television and was a stalwart of British period dramas, often cast as a waspish spinster or maiden aunt. She appeared in TV adaptations of Anthony Trollope's "The Pallisers," Thomas Hardy's "Tess of the D'Urbervilles," Charles Dickens' "Oliver Twist" and many others.
In 2006, she played former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the TV drama "Pinochet in Suburbia."
Markham said Massey would be remembered as "a consummate professional," but the actress revealed in a memoir that she had struggled with depression and stage fright, and suffered a nervous breakdown in the 1960s.
She once said that as an actor, "I'm not instinctive. It takes enormous discipline and bravery to get me there." Massey won a BAFTA, Britain's top acting award, for her role in the 1986 TV adaptation of Anita Brookner's novel "Hotel du Lac."
In 2004 she was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE, by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama.
Massey is survived by her husband, Uri Andres, and David Huggins, her son from a first marriage to the late actor Jeremy Brett.
Funeral details were not immediately available.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
31 Entries
Joan H
July 9, 2011
I enjoyed seeing Anna Massey in "Mansfield Park".She was an excellent actress.my condolences to her family.
Diane
July 7, 2011
She was a wonderful actress. Many of her appearances were on PBS Mystery. She shall be dearly missed. Thank you Anna for all the great entertainment you bestowed upon us.
SANDRA SANDERS
July 7, 2011
TO THE MASSEY FAMILY:
MAY YOU FIND PEACE AT THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME. REMEMBER THE PROMISE GOD GAVE: "DEATH IS TO BE BROUGHT TO NOTHING."
Corletta Hardy
July 6, 2011
To the family bless god for the years he gave her own life with you all.She will live on through her films may god be the glory she is resting in the arms of the heavenly father.Sweeping due for a night but joy comes in the morning.
How you can show support
L. R.
July 6, 2011
Death will no longer exist.
It won't be in our mist.
It will end sooner than we know.
That is why we must never let go.
Chuck Shea
July 6, 2011
Thank you for sharing all your wonderful talents with the rest of us and for creating all those wonderful memories that you gave us.
July 6, 2011
Massey Family,
Throw your burden upon GOD himself,
And he himself will sustain you.
He is healing the brokenhearted ones,
And is binding up their painful spots.
July 5, 2011
Heartfelt condolences to family and loved ones. May the God of all comfort be with you.
Cheryl Bean
July 5, 2011
I always enjoyed her performances. She added something special and she will be missed.
T Bramblett
July 5, 2011
You shall be greatly missed and thank you for the great entertainment you gave us all.
God Bless !
Cheryl Hall
July 5, 2011
I met Ms. Massey about ten (?) years ago while vacationing in Bermuda. The resort where we were staying has a weekly seafood buffet night and while waiting in line, I noticed a familiar-looking woman. Then it dawned on me: Mrs. Danvers from "Rebecca" and other characters from Inspector Morse series. I approached her and quietly asked her if she was a British actress. She cautiously looked around before saying "yes, but don't tell anybody". I was thrilled with this celebrity sighting. Not wishing to draw attention to her, I moved on after telling her I'd enjoyed her work...although her roles I've seen have usually been rather sinister characters. I'll miss seeing her on PBS. Sympathy and condolences to Ms. Massey's family.
MAS
July 5, 2011
My sincere condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. Anna entertained and will be missed. May the God of comfort guide you in your sorrow. His words of comfort are written in the scriptures at 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.
John Johnson
July 5, 2011
I first saw her on stage in Cambridge in "Glass Menagerie," back in 1965 or '66; she has been a favorite ever since. Rest in peace.
Michael Raynor
July 5, 2011
Thank you, Ms. Massey, for the many wonderful hours of dramatic insight into the human character that you have left for posterity. You will certainly be missed professionally as well as personaly by your friends, family, and host of admirers world wide.
Dr. Michael Raynor
Marlene S.
July 5, 2011
I really appreciated her talent and feel so sad that the world has lost such a wonderful actress. May God comfort the family during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Charlotte
July 5, 2011
My sympathy to the Massey family. God has promised to bring about a permanent cure for all sicknesses, which will in turn end death (Isa.33:24; 25:8). Reading about these future promises gives me much joy.
Rita
July 5, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Kay
July 5, 2011
Dear Massey family,
I am so sorry to read of your loss.
As you endeavor to comfort one another, "may the God of all comfort" give you peace to endure. (2 Cor. 1:3,4)
Les Breese
July 5, 2011
Anna Massey was a splendid actress who imparted great depth and intensity to every role she played. She shall be missed. My sincerest condolences to her family and friends.
Muffy
July 5, 2011
My condolences to her husband and son, other family and friends.
This is a sad day, indeed. I always loved watching Ms. Massey work. There will now be a bit of emptiness in the acting world, which will never be filled. May she rest peacefully.
Sheila Smith
July 4, 2011
Go in Peace Anna. God bless the family.
Debi & Thomas O
July 4, 2011
My husband and I are so sad today! We absolutely loved Anna's acting! It is some comfort to realize that we can always watch her magic whenever we want. Our sincere caring thoughts go out to all her loved ones!
July 4, 2011
TO THE FAMILY,I AM TRULY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS,PLEASE FIND COMFORT AT LUKE 7:11-17.AW.HOUSTON,TX.
michelle plakas-kaiser
July 4, 2011
rip
July 4, 2011
Rest in peace, Anna, We will miss you.
CCT
July 4, 2011
May God bless your family
Debbie Brannon
Bon Air, Alabama
KATHY LASLOW
July 4, 2011
I ENJOYED SEEING ANNA MASSEY IN MANY OF HER MOVIES SHE WAS AN EXCELLENT ACTRESS AND HER ROLES LENT AN IMPORTANT PART TO ALL OF HER MOVIES. WE,LL MISS HER PERFORMANCES.
Micha Collins
July 4, 2011
Sorry for your loss of Anna. It seems so unfair that death should have the power to take away someone you love. And when it happens, the thought of not being able to talk to, laugh with, or hold your loved one can be most difficult to bear. But there is a sure hope, Isa. 25:8: “He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord will certainly wipe the tears from all faces..
Linda Williams
July 4, 2011
Will always remember her in Frenzy and Vault of Horror. A very fine actress in her own right. Rest in peace.
Victoria&Andrew VZj
July 4, 2011
Our sentiments to
the ANNA'MASSEY rip`
Warm christian love
July 4, 2011
Sorry to read that your dear wife and mother has fallen asleep in death. May the love of God family and friends comfort you.
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