Belita Jepson-Turner (21 October 1923[a] – 18 December 2005), known professionally as Belita, was a British Olympic figure skater, dancer, and film actress.
Early years
Belita was born at Nether Wallop, Hampshire,[1] to Major William Jepson-Turner and wife Gladys Olive Lyne-Stivens.[2] She skated (as Belita Jepson-Turner) for the United Kingdom in the 1936 Winter Olympics, where she was placed 16th in the singles, then her career turned towards Hollywood. She had classical Russian ballet training which carried over into her skating. As a young ballerina, she was partner to Anton Dolin, appearing with the Dolin-Markova Ballet.[3]
In 1956, she retired from skating, and three years later gave up show business altogether. She appeared briefly on the ice at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1981 in a short production based on "Solitude" by Duke Ellington.
Personal life
Belita married Joel McGinnis in 1946; they divorced in 1956. She married Irish actor James Berwick (né Kenny; 1929–2000) in 1967; they remained married until his death. Both marriages were childless.
Belita retired from her second career, as a landscape nursery owner,[3] and later relocated to Montpeyroux, Hérault, France, where she died in 2005, aged 82.[3][4]