Irene Handl

1901–1987 | British actress

Dumpy British character comedienne, frequently seen as a maid or charlady; became a star in her later years

Mini Biography

Born in London, the daughter of an Austrian banker and his aristocratic French wife, Irene Handl studied at the Embassy School of Acting, and was on stage from 1937. She also wrote two novels: The Sioux (1965) and The Gold-Tipped Phitzer (1966), noted for their originality and ornate literary style.

Latest Irene Handl Pictures

Main title from the 1970 ‘Wedding Plans’ episode of For the Love of Ada (1970-1971) — For the Love of Ada (1970-1971) | Wedding Plans (1970) opening credits

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Personal Details

Born

Died

Born

Irene Handl was born in Maida Vale, London on 27^th December, 1901.
Died

Irene Handl died of breast cancer in Kensington, London on 29^th November, 1987, aged 85.

Watch Irene Handl on British television

- Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment (1966)
- Tuesday at 2.20am on Talking Pictures
- A young woman determines to leave her talented but half-mad artist husband, who has a fixation on gorillas and behaves in a generally uncivilised manner.
- A Kid for Two Farthings (1955)
- Tuesday at 11.45am on Talking Pictures
- Among the colourful characters of London’s Petticoat Market moves a boy whose pet goat seems to have the magical power of a unicorn.
- Heavens Above! (1963)
- Friday at 11.40am on Talking Pictures
- A northern parson with proletarian sympathies is accidentally appointed to a snobby village where he converts the dowager aristocrat to works of absurd charity. Eventually he has the whole country in an uproar and takes the place of an astronaut.