Cicely Courtneidge (1893–1980)

Cicely Courtneidge was born in Sydney, Australia, to a theatrical family on tour. Her parents were Scottish producer and playwright Robert Courtneidge and his wife Rosaline May Adams, a singer and actress. After the family returned to their native Great Britain, Cicely began acting at about age eight. She briefly attended the Royal Academy of Music and obtained roles in her father's musical comedies in the West End of London.

After the outbreak of World War I, she became a comedian in music hall variety shows. In 1916, she married actor and dancer Jack Hulbert, with whom she had a daughter. The couple formed a professional partnership that lasted 62 years until Hulbert's death. They acted together on stage and screen, with Hulbert frequently producing as well as performing.

Cecily appeared in 12 British films in the 1930s, and one in Hollywood. She and Hulbert also made recordings for Columbia and HMV. During World War II, Cecily entertained and raised funds for the troops. She then had a long run in Under the Counter, a comedy in which she received glowing notices.
After the mid-1960s, Cecily concentrated on the non-musical theater, appearing in London and on tour in a range of plays, both serious and comic. She published an autobiography called Cecily in 1953.