Charlotte Cornwell (26 April 1949 – 16 January 2021) was an English actress, singer, and a teacher of acting on the faculty at the University of Southern California (2003-2012).[2]
Cornwell began her career as an actress, making her debut for Richard Cottrell's Cambridge Theatre Company in November 1971 as Miss Brewster in Arthur Wing Pinero's Trelawny of the 'Wells'.[3] before joining Val May's Bristol Old Vic Theatre Company where she performed in a wide variety of productions from 1972 through 1975. In 1974 she made her screen debut as Sally Potter in the musical film Stardust. She rose to fame for her portrayal of the drug-addicted rock star Anna Wynd in the television drama Rock Follies (1976) in which she was part of a musical trio which also included Julie Covington as Dee and Rula Lenska as Q. The music the three women recorded for this television drama was released as a soundtrack album which reached number 1 on the UK Albums Chart.[2]
Afterwards, Cornwell remained active as an actress in both British and American film, television, and the theatre up until her retirement in 2016. She was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 1977-1980 and 2013.[2]
Early life and education
Born in Marylebone, London, Cornwell was the daughter of Ronald Cornwell and Jean (nee Neal, formerly Gronow).[4][2] Her father was a con artist who had served terms in prison for fraud and obtaining money under false pretences.[2] Her brother was the British journalist Rupert Cornwell.[2] She had two half-brothers from her father's first marriage, the cricketer Anthony Cornwell and the MI6 agent David Cornwell who wrote spy novels under the name John le Carré.[2]
Charlotte credited her brother David with suggesting she pursue a career as an actress, and at his prompting, she auditioned and earned a place at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art (WDADA) in London.[2] David later based the main female character in his 1983 spy novel, The Little Drummer Girl—an English actress called "Charlie"—on Charlotte.[5] In an interview, Cornwell described David as "the best brother a girl could have".[6]
In 1970 Cornwell portrayed Dolly Levi in the WDADA's production of Hello Dolly!, which earned her first positive critical reviews. The Stage wrote in their review of the production, "Hello Dolly! not only upheld this excellent tradition but in some ways surpassed previous productions. This was in part due to the exceptional talents of Charlotte Cornwell, who played Miss. Dolly Gallagher Levi. She has an excellent voice and an unusual ability to sing equally well in several different styles according to the mood and situation of the character."[7] The performance was followed by the role of Beauty in the WDADA's 1971 production of Peter Ustinov's The Love of Four Colonels at the Chanticleer Theatre, London.[8]
In 1976 Cornwell rose to fame for her portrayal of the drug addicted rock star Anna Wynd in the BAFTA award winning television drama Rock Follies (1976) in which she was part of a musical trio which also included Julie Covington as Dee and Rula Lenska as Q. The music the three women recorded for this television drama was released as a soundtrack album which reached number 1 on the UK Albums Chart.[2] The women reprised their roles the following year in Rock Follies of '77.[2]
Cornwell won a libel action against the journalist Nina Myskow and The Sunday People in December 1985. A jury at the High Court awarded her £10,000 in damages after Myskow, in an article for the newspaper, had referred to Cornwell as someone unattractive, middle-aged and whose "bum is too big".[16] The verdict was upheld on appeal, but Cornwell ended up £70,000 out of pocket from legal costs.[25] However, the award for damages was raised to £11,500.[26]
Personal life
Cornwell had a daughter, Nancy Cranham, from a past relationship with actor Kenneth Cranham.[27]
Death
She died from cancer on 16 January 2021, at the age of 71.[26]
