Famous British actress Elsa Lanchester is best remembered for playing the title character in the science fiction horror movie “Bride of Frankenstein.” It was a follow-up to the successful movie “Frankenstein,” which was adapted from the well-known Mary Shelley novel of the same name. She later received an Oscar nomination for her work in Henry Koster’s movie “Come to the Stars.” Her performance in the courtroom drama movie “Witness for the Prosecution” is just one of the several works that brought her notoriety and renown. For her work in this film, Lanchester received a second Oscar nomination in the category of “Best Supporting Actress.” Later, she also dabbled with television, making appearances in programs like the comedy “The John Forsythe Show” and others. She had a lengthy and fruitful career in addition to a long life. Her final motion pictures included “Terror in the Wax Museum,” “Murder by Death,” and “Die Laughing.” She was 84 years old when she passed away at the Motion Picture Hospital from bronchopneumonia.
Early Childhood & Life
Elsa Sullivan Lanchester was born in Lewisham, London, on October 28, 1902. James Sullivan and Edith Lanchester were her parents. Additionally, Waldo Sullivan Lanchester, her elder brother, was a puppeteer.
She had dreamed of being a classical dancer since she was a young girl. She spent some time studying at the Bellevue School in Paris, but she was forced to leave when the First World War broke out. She was hired as a dancing instructor at the Margaret Morris School in 1918.
Later, she began appearing in cabarets and nightclubs. It paved the path for her to pursue more serious work, and she soon appeared in Arnold Bennett’s play Mr. Prohack. She met Charles Laughton, the man who would become her husband, around this time. Together, they appeared in various plays.
Career of Elsa Lanchester
Elsa Lanchester made her movie debut in 1925 with “The Scarlet Woman.” Additionally, she starred in three short films that were directed by Ivor Montagu and written by renowned author HG Wells. She starred in numerous movies during the following several years, including “The Private Life of Henry VIII” (1933), “David Copperfield” (1935), “The Ghost Goes Everywhere” (1935), “Ladies in Retirement” (1941), and “Thumbs up” (1945).
For her performance in the American movie “Come to the Stable,” she received a nomination for an Oscar in the category of “Best Supporting Actress” in 1949. Henry Koster served as the director. She had an appearance in another Koster movie that year, “The Inspector General.” It was partially based on Nikolai Gogol’s drama of the same name.
She starred in numerous other films during the ensuing years, such as “Dreamboat,” “Androcles and the Lion,” “Hell’s Half Acre,” and “The Glass Slipper” (1955). She had a supporting part in the courtroom drama movie “Witness for the Prosecution” in 1957. It was based on Agatha Christie’s play of the same name. The movie received numerous nominations for Oscars.
She appeared in films including “Bell, Book, and Candle” (1958), “Honeymoon Hotel” (1964), “Easy Come, Easy Go” (1967), “Rascal” (1969), and “Arnold” during her later acting career (1974). She was also well-known for her television work. She appeared in both the TV series “The Man from UNCLE” and “The John Forsythe Show.” Die Laughing, which came out in 1980, was the last movie she was in before she passed away.
Bigger Works of Elsa Lanchester
One of Elsa Lanchester’s earliest films was 1933’s “The Private Life of Henry VIII.” She was joined by Charles Laughton, Merle Oberon, Wendy Barrie, and Binnie Barnes in the Alexander Korda-directed movie. The movie focused on King Henry VIII of England’s marriages. Charles Laughton, the lead actor, and director Alexander Korda both achieved recognition and stardom as a result of the film’s enormous success around the world. Additionally, it was the first non-Hollywood movie to receive an Oscar.
For her performance in the 1935 science fiction horror film “Bride of Frankenstein,” Lanchester received widespread acclaim. The popular Mary Shelley novel “Frankenstein” served as the inspiration for the movie. The movie did well financially; it made more than five times what it cost. Lanchester played two characters; the first was Mary Shelley, and the second was the partner of the monster. Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Valerie Hobson, and Ernest Thesiger all played supporting roles in the movie.
In Billy Wilder’s courtroom drama movie “Witness for the Prosecution,” Elsa Lanchester had a supporting role. The motion picture debuted in 1957. Tyrone Power, Marlene Dietrich, and Charles Laughton acted in it. The movie was a financial hit. For her work in the movie, Lanchester received a Golden Globe nomination and an Oscar nomination. The movie received five additional Oscar nominations.
Recognition & Achievements
For her performance in the movie “Come to the Stable,” Elsa Lanchester received a 1950 Academy Award nomination in the category of “Best Supporting Actress.”
For her great performance in the 1958 film “Witness for the Prosecution,” she received a second nomination for an Academy Award in the category of “Best Supporting Actress,” as well as the “Golden Globe Award” in the same category.
Individual Life of Elsa Lanchester
Charles Laughton, a well-known actor, was married to Elsa Lanchester from 1929 until his passing in 1962. There were no children born into the marriage.
She suffered from bronchopneumonia and passed away at the Motion Picture Hospital on December 26, 1986. On January 5, 1987, her corpse was cremated in the Chapel of the Pines in Los Angeles. Over the Pacific Ocean, her ashes were dispersed.
Elsa Lanchester’s Net Worth
Elsa is one of the wealthiest and most well-known movie actresses. Elsa Lanchester’s net worth is roughly $1.5 million, according to our analysis of data from sources like Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.