A brash character actress who specialized in cinema, television, and theater, Hermione Youlanda Ruby Clinton-Baddeley was born on November 13, 1906 in Broseley, Shropshire. She was the youngest of four sisters - including
Angela Baddeley, also an actress - and her half-brother, Very Rev William Baddeley, was a Church of England Minister.
Not much is known about Baddeley's early life. She made her stage debut in 1918, and became popular in London stage comedies and revues prior to World War II, known for her dancing talent and natural comic ability. She memorably performed several times with
Hermione Gingold. Baddeley made her film debut in 1927, with a role in the extremely obscure silent comedy
A Daughter in Revolt (1927), but didn't come to attention until twenty years later, when she portrayed the affable but blowzy Ida in the film noir
Brighton Rock (1948).
Known for her memorable character roles, Baddeley dabbled in such movies as
Passport to Pimlico (1949),
A Christmas Carol (1951),
Tom Brown's Schooldays (1951),
The Pickwick Papers (1952),
The Belles of St. Trinian's (1954),
Mary Poppins (1964), and
The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964). She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her acid-tongued performance in
Room at the Top (1958). At two minutes and thirty-two seconds, it is the shortest performance to ever be nominated for the award.
Baddeley became a household favorite for her role as irritable cockney housekeeper Mrs. Naugatuck on the '70s comedy series
Maude (1972). She landed guest spots on multiple other shows, including but not limited to
Hancock's Half Hour (1956),
The Patty Duke Show (1963),
Bewitched (1964),
Night Gallery (1969),
The Bionic Woman (1976),
The Love Boat (1977),
Charlie's Angels (1976),
Wonder Woman (1975),
Fantasy Island (1977), and
Magnum, P.I. (1980).
Baddeley's two marriages failed, and she had a daughter,
Pauline Tennant, from her first. She was in a long-term relationship with actor
Laurence Harvey until he left her for
Margaret Leighton, and died on August 19, 1986 at the age of 79 following a series of strokes.
Shadow Chasers(1985)as Melody Lacey, Melody
Magnum, P.I.(1980)as Bernice
The Last Leaf(1983)as Mrs. McCleary
This Girl for Hire(1983)as Edwina Gaylord
I Take These Men(1983)as Mrs. Lomax
Special Collector's Edition(2010)
Diminishing Returns(2016)
Mary Poppins: Sing a Long - Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious(1994)
Maude(1972)
Mary Poppins(1964)
The Unsinkable Molly Brown(1964)
The Merv Griffin Show(1962)as Self
The Toni Tennille Show(1980)as Self
The Paul Ryan Show(1977)as Self
Omnibus(1967)as Self
#Covidiot(2020)as Grieving Mother
WatchMojo(2006)as Self - Madame, Self - Auntie Shrew
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You(2016)as Self
Saving Mr. Banks(2013)as The Domestic
20 to 1(2005)as Self - Actress
