Susan Burnet
Encyclopedia
Susan Burnet was a British actress born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia
(which later became Harare
, Zimbabwe
). After winning a scholarship to LAMDA
at the age of 15 she had a brief but successful career in British television, film and on stage. Critics likened her looks to Brigitte Bardot
's. She met her husband, the actor Andrew Ray
, in her first role after stage school, the West End
play Flowering Cherry, which also starred Sir Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson
. Despite the initial objections of his father, comedian Ted Ray
who thought they were too young, the couple married in 1959. They separated in the 1970s but never divorced. Burnet, who took her husband's real name Olden, largely retired from acting after giving birth to their first child at the age of 24 and returned to her homeland. The grand-daughter of one Rhodesia
's first pioneers she later became an opponent of Ian Smith
's UDI
government, refusing to shake Smith's hand when they were introduced and protesting against his policies. She died on 17 January 2010 in London, England.
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was the name of the British colony situated north of the Limpopo River and the Union of South Africa. From its independence in 1965 until its extinction in 1980, it was known as Rhodesia...
(which later became Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
). After winning a scholarship to LAMDA
London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art
The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art is a leading British drama school in west London. LAMDA's president is Timothy West and its new principal is Joanna Read, who recently succeeded Peter James...
at the age of 15 she had a brief but successful career in British television, film and on stage. Critics likened her looks to Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot is a French former fashion model, actress, singer and animal rights activist. She was one of the best-known sex-symbols of the 1960s.In her early life, Bardot was an aspiring ballet dancer...
's. She met her husband, the actor Andrew Ray
Andrew Ray
Andrew Ray was an English actor who was best known as a child star.He was born Andrew Olden , in North London, the son of the famous radio comic Ted Ray and his wife, showgirl Dorothy...
, in her first role after stage school, the West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
play Flowering Cherry, which also starred Sir Ralph Richardson and Celia Johnson
Celia Johnson
Dame Celia Elizabeth Johnson DBE was an English actress.She began her stage acting career in 1928, and subsequently achieved success in West End and Broadway productions. She also appeared in several films, including the romantic drama Brief Encounter , for which she received a nomination for the...
. Despite the initial objections of his father, comedian Ted Ray
Ted Ray
Ted Ray may refer to:*Ted Ray , real name Charles Olden, British comedian*Ted Ray , Edward Ray, British golfer-See also:*Ted Wray, Canadian politician*Edward Ray...
who thought they were too young, the couple married in 1959. They separated in the 1970s but never divorced. Burnet, who took her husband's real name Olden, largely retired from acting after giving birth to their first child at the age of 24 and returned to her homeland. The grand-daughter of one Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
's first pioneers she later became an opponent of Ian Smith
Ian Smith
Ian Douglas Smith GCLM ID was a politician active in the government of Southern Rhodesia, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe Rhodesia and Zimbabwe from 1948 to 1987, most notably serving as Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 13 April 1964 to 1 June 1979...
's UDI
UDI
UDI may refer to:* Unilateral declaration of independence, an assertion of the independence of an aspiring state or states** In particular, the Rhodesian Unilateral Declaration of Independence* Unidad de Inversion, Mexican currency funds unit...
government, refusing to shake Smith's hand when they were introduced and protesting against his policies. She died on 17 January 2010 in London, England.