Constance Cummings
Actor
About Constance Cummings
Constance Cummings was a distinguished American-born actress who achieved major success in both Hollywood and the British theater. Born Constance Halverstadt in Seattle, she began her career as a chorus girl on Broadway at age 18 before being discovered by Samuel Goldwyn, who brought her to Hollywood in 1931. Her film debut came in Howard Hawks's 'The Criminal Code' (1931), where she played the warden's daughter, a role that established her as a sophisticated and intelligent screen presence. During the early 1930s, she appeared in over 20 films, notably starring opposite Harold Lloyd in 'Movie Crazy' (1932) and under Frank Capra's direction in 'American Madness' (1932). After marrying British playwright Benn Levy in 1933, she moved to England, where she transitioned into a highly respected stage actress while continuing to appear in films like 'Blithe Spirit' (1945). Her career spanned over seven decades, culminating in a Tony Award-winning performance in 'Wings' (1979) and a CBE for her contributions to the arts.
The Craft
On Screen
Cummings was noted for her 'peaches-and-cream' complexion and feminine elegance, but she possessed an underlying emotional power and intellectual depth that set her apart from typical starlets. Critics often described her as a 'neo-tragedienne' who could handle everything from light farce to heavy melodrama with virtually invisible technique. She was particularly praised for her 'artistic delicacy' and her ability to convey pathos and authority, especially in her later stage work with the National Theatre.
Milestones
- Discovered by Samuel Goldwyn on Broadway in 1930
- Film debut in Howard Hawks's 'The Criminal Code' (1931)
- Starred in Frank Capra's 'American Madness' (1932)
- Leading lady to Harold Lloyd in 'Movie Crazy' (1932)
- Moved to England in 1935 and became a pillar of the British stage
- Originated the role of Martha in the London debut of 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?' (1964)
- Won the Tony Award for Best Actress for 'Wings' (1979)
- Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1974
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (1979) for 'Wings'
- Obie Award (1979) for 'Wings'
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play (1979) for 'Wings'
- Evening Standard British Film Award for Best Actress (1971) for 'Long Day's Journey into Night'
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) (1974)
Nominated
- Laurence Olivier Award for Actress of the Year in a New Play (1979) for 'Wings'
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play (1982) for 'The Chalk Garden'
Special Recognition
- Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (6201 Hollywood Blvd, dedicated February 8, 1960)
- Committee member of the Royal Court Theatre and the Arts Council
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Constance Cummings bridged the gap between the Golden Age of Hollywood and the prestigious British theatrical tradition. She was one of the few American actresses of her era to successfully relocate to the UK and be accepted as a leading figure in the British dramatic establishment, including the National Theatre. Her transition from a 'comely daughter' in early talkies to a Tony-winning powerhouse in experimental drama like 'Wings' demonstrated a rare career longevity and artistic evolution that challenged the limited shelf-life typically afforded to actresses of her generation.
Lasting Legacy
Her legacy is defined by her versatility and her commitment to the craft of acting over the allure of celebrity. She is remembered as a 'Hawksian woman'—strong, stoic, and capable—in her early film work, and as a formidable stage presence in her later years. Her performance in 'Wings' remains a benchmark for portraying the internal struggle of stroke victims, and her contribution to the British arts was recognized with a CBE, cementing her status as a dual-national treasure.
Who They Inspired
She influenced subsequent generations of actors by demonstrating that a career could be successfully reinvented across different mediums and countries. Her work with the National Theatre alongside Laurence Olivier helped set the standard for modern interpretations of classic American plays like 'Long Day's Journey into Night' in a British context.
Off Screen
Cummings was the daughter of a lawyer and a concert soprano. Her parents separated when she was ten, and she was raised primarily by her mother. In 1933, she married the British playwright and politician Benn Levy, a union that lasted until his death in 1973. Following his death, she continued to manage their 600-acre dairy farm in Oxfordshire, England.
Education
St. Nicholas Girls' School in Seattle
Family
- Benn Levy (1933-1973; his death)
Did You Know?
- She was originally cast to star opposite Ronald Colman in 'The Devil to Pay' (1930) but was replaced by Loretta Young at the last minute.
- She was a committee member for the Royal Court Theatre and the Arts Council of Great Britain.
- She lived to the age of 95, with her final stage performance occurring in 'Uncle Vanya' in 1999 when she was 89.
- Her husband, Benn Levy, served as a Labour MP in the British Parliament from 1945 to 1950.
- She was a supporter of social causes, including Amnesty International and Liberty.
- She was known for her 'invisible technique,' a style of acting so natural that it appeared effortless to the audience.
In Their Own Words
I didn't know how to read the verses. That was a sloppy thing. I should have had more sense. (On her performance as Juliet in 1939)
A film star who can act. (Quoting a London critic's description of her in 1934, which she often worked to live up to)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Constance Cummings?
Constance Cummings was a highly regarded American-British actress who rose to fame in 1930s Hollywood before becoming a celebrated star of the British stage. She is uniquely remembered for her versatility, winning a Tony Award late in her career after decades of success in both film and theater.
What films is Constance Cummings best known for?
She is best known for her roles in 'The Criminal Code' (1931), 'American Madness' (1932), 'Movie Crazy' (1932) with Harold Lloyd, and the classic supernatural comedy 'Blithe Spirit' (1945).
When was Constance Cummings born and when did she die?
She was born on May 15, 1910, in Seattle, Washington, and passed away on November 23, 2005, in Oxfordshire, England, at the age of 95.
What awards did Constance Cummings win?
Her most prestigious awards include a Tony Award for Best Actress in 1979 for 'Wings' and a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1974 for her services to the entertainment industry.
What was Constance Cummings's acting style?
She was known for a sophisticated, intelligent, and 'virtually invisible' technique. She could transition seamlessly between light comedy and intense emotional drama, often described as having a 'velvet glove' approach to powerful roles.
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Films
1 film
