Patricia Harmsworth, Viscountess Rothermere
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| Beverly Brooks | |
|---|---|
| Born | Patricia Evelyn Beverley Matthews 5 May 1933 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | Script error: The function "death_date_and_age" does not exist.[1] Nice, France |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Actress, Socialite |
| Title | Viscountess Rothermere |
| Spouse(s) | Christopher John Brooks (1951–1957) Vere Harmsworth (1957-1992) |
| Children | (with Christopher Brooks): Sarah Jane Brooks (born 1956) (with Vere Harmsworth): Geraldine Theodora Gabriel Harmsworth (born 1957) Camilla Pamela Caroline Harmsworth (born 1964) Jonathan Harmsworth (born 1967) |
| Parent(s) | John William Matthews (father, architect).[2] |
Patricia Evelyn Beverley Matthews Harmsworth, Viscountess Rothermere (5 May 1933 – 12 August 1992) was an English socialite and actress. As Beverly Brooks, she appeared in several films, such as Reach for the Sky (1956).
She was only 18, when she met Captain Christopher Brooks (of the Coldstream Guards), while she was attending a motor-racing event at Goodwood. They married very soon afterwards. A baby girl, 'Sarah' soon followed. Then she enrolled at the Rank Charm School to become a starlet. This led to her getting a part in 'Reach for the Sky'. When she was 23, she met Vere Harmsworth (aged 32), at a party. She soon divorced Captain Brooks and married Vere in 1957. She then gave birth to Geraldine, born in 1957, and Camilla, in 1964. Then Vere's father, Esmond, remarried and produced a son, also called Esmond. So Patricia researched the methods of a Dr August Von Borosini in influencing the sex of her baby. Then, in December 1967, she gave birth to a son, Jonathan Harmsworth.[2]
As Lady Rothermere, she led a colourful social life, earning her the nickname of "Bubbles", through a love of champagne and her spherical figure. She died from a heart attack in Nice, France aged 59. This was brought on by an accidental overdose of sleeping pills.[2]
Contents
Marriages
She was married twice:
- Captain Christopher Brooks (2 June 1951 – 1957); one daughter
- Sarah Jane Brooks (born 1956)[3]
- Vere Harmsworth, 3rd Viscount Rothermere (21 March 1957 – 12 August 1992); one son and two daughters
- Geraldine Theodora Gabriel Harmsworth (born 1957)
- Camilla Pamela Caroline Harmsworth (born 1964)
- Harold Jonathan Esmond Vere Harmsworth, 4th Viscount Rothermere (born 1967)
Film and television appearances
Film
- Simon and Laura (1955) — Mabel
- Lost (aka Tears for Simon) (1955) — Pam
- Man of the Moment (1955) (uncredited) — Air Hostess
- Find the Lady (1956) — June Weston
- Reach for the Sky (1956) — Sally
Television
- The Vise — "Diana" in episode "The Eighth Window" (episode No. 1.19) (4 February 1955)
Honours
In 1997, Jonathan Harmsworth, set up the 'The Patricia Rothermere Award' (in honour of his mother), this was a two-part award. The first part went to Dame Judi Dench in recognition of her services to theatre. The second part of the award was given to promising drama students of that year. In 1997, that went to Mark Rice-Oxley. The award was presented at the Evening Standard Awards show.[4] Later called the 'Lady Rothermere Drama Award'.
