Janet Johnson, Lady Birkin (29 November 1914 – 18 December 1983) was an Australian born actress who briefly achieved fame on stage and in films in Australia and Britain before marrying British gothic writer

Charles Birkin Sir Charles Lloyd Birkin, 5th Baronet (24 September 1907 – 1985) was an English writer of horror short stories and the editor of the ''Creeps Library'' of anthologies. Typically working under the pseudonym Charles Lloyd, Birkin's tales tende ...

in 1940. She was born Janet Ramsay Johnson in

Adelaide Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...

, South Australia, in 1914, one of two daughters of Arthur George and Jeanie Johnson née Ramsay: Janet's only brother, Arthur Ramsay Johnson, died, in 1911, before Janet was born, at the age of just 14 months and three weeks. Later living in Melbourne and with some Australian stage experience behind her, she appeared in the leading role in Harry Southwell's relatively unknown film ''

The Burgomeister ''The Burgomeister'' is a 1935 Australian film directed by Harry Southwell based on the 1867 play ''Le juif polonais'' (aka '' The Bells'') by Erckmann-Chatrian, adapted into English in 1871 by Leopold Lewis, previously filmed a number of times ...

'' in 1935. Following encouragement from US director

Miles Mander Miles Mander (born Lionel Henry Mander; 14 May 1888 – 8 February 1946), was an English character actor of the early Hollywood cinema, also a film director and producer, and a playwright and novelist. He was sometimes credited as Luther Mile ...

, Johnson travelled to England in March 1936, intent upon expanding her career. She appeared in supporting roles in several films over the next few years, including

Michael Balcon Sir Michael Elias Balcon (19 May 1896 – 17 October 1977) was an English film producer known for his leadership of Ealing Studios in West London from 1938 to 1955. Under his direction, the studio became one of the most important British fil ...

’s vehicle for

Paul Robeson Paul Leroy Robeson ( ; April 9, 1898 – January 23, 1976) was an American bass-baritone concert artist, stage and film actor, professional American football, football player, and activist who became famous both for his cultural accomplish ...

, ''

The Proud Valley ''The Proud Valley'' is a 1940 Ealing Studios film starring Paul Robeson. Filmed in the South Wales coalfield, the principal Welsh coal mining area, the film is about a seaman who joins a mining community. It includes their passion for singing ...

''. She also appeared on stage in London, performing with

Lilian Braithwaite Dame Florence Lilian Braithwaite, (9 March 1873 – 17 September 1948), known professionally as Lilian Braithwaite, was an English actress, primarily of the stage, although she appeared in both silent and talkie films. Early life She was born ...

at least four times. She spent six months in Hollywood at the invitation of

Twentieth Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...

in early 1937, but no films roles were forthcoming. She reportedly said "Hollywood made me feel such a fish out of water." Her final British film was a supporting part in the B film, '' Mrs Pym of Scotland Yard'', released in 1940. In July 1940 she married Sir Charles Birkin, after which she retired from acting in film. Sir Charles and she had three children; Jennifer, Amanda and John, the current baronet.The Argus 6 July 1953
/ref> She died in London on 18 December 1983.

References

External links

* 1914 births 1983 deaths Australian film actresses Actresses from Melbourne Actresses from Adelaide 20th-century Australian actresses Wives of baronets Australian emigrants to the United Kingdom {{Australia-actor-stub