Patricia Evelyn Beverley Matthews Harmsworth, Viscountess Rothermere (5 May 1929 – 12 August 1992) was an English socialite and actress. As Beverly Brooks, she appeared in several films, such as '' Reach for the Sky'' (1956).

Early life

Patricia Evelyn Beverley Matthews was born on 5 May 1929 to John William Matthews, an architect.

Career

Shortly after her first marriage, and the birth of her first child, she enrolled at the Rank Charm School to become a starlet. This led to her being given a part in ''Reach for the Sky''.

Filmography

* ''

Simon and Laura ''Simon and Laura'' is a 1955 British comedy film directed by Muriel Box and starring Peter Finch and Kay Kendall. Play Satirising the early days of BBC Television, ''Simon and Laura'' focuses on an argumentative theatrical couple called Simon a ...

'' (1955) – Mabel * ''

Lost Lost may refer to getting lost, or to: Geography *Lost, Aberdeenshire, a hamlet in Scotland * Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, or LOST, a hiking and cycling trail in Florida, US History *Abbreviation of lost work, any work which is known to have bee ...

'' (aka ''Tears for Simon'') (1955) – Pam (telephone operator) – uncredited * '' Man of the Moment'' (1955) – Air Hostess * '' Find the Lady'' (1956) – June Weston * '' Reach for the Sky'' (1956) – Sally

Television

* ''

The Vise ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' – "Diana" in episode "The Eighth Window" (episode No. 1.19) (4 February 1955) *Clive James: Postcard from London, appears as herself, "Bubbles", (BBC, 1991).

Personal life

When she was 22 years old, Matthews met Captain Christopher Brooks, of the

Coldstream Guards The Coldstream Guards is the oldest continuously serving regular regiment in the British Army. As part of the Household Division, one of its principal roles is the protection of the monarchy; due to this, it often participates in state ceremonia ...

, while she was attending a motor-racing event at Goodwood. They married soon after on 2 June 1951. They had one child, Sarah Jane Brooks, in 1956. At the age of 27, while still married to Captain Brooks, she met Vere Harmsworth (1925–1998) at a party. She soon divorced Brooks and married the eventual

Viscount Rothermere Viscount Rothermere, of Hemsted in the county of Kent, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1919 for the press lord Harold Harmsworth, 1st Baron Harmsworth. He had already been created a baronet, of Horsey in th ...

on 21 March 1957. In 1957 and 1964, she gave birth to two daughters. After her father-in-law,

Esmond Harmsworth Esmond Cecil Harmsworth, 2nd Viscount Rothermere (29 May 1898 – 12 July 1978) was a British Conservative politician and press magnate. Early life Harmsworth was the third son of Harold Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Rothermere, who had founded the ...

(1898–1978), remarried and produced a son, also named Esmond, Patricia researched the methods of a Dr. August Von Borosini in influencing the sex of her baby and gave birth to a son in December 1967. Their children were Geraldine Theodora Gabriel Harmsworth (born 1957), Camilla Pamela Caroline Harmsworth (born 1964) and Jonathan Harold Esmond Vere Harmsworth, 4th Viscount Rothermere (born 1967). As Lady Rothermere, she led a colourful social life, earning her the nickname of "Bubbles" through a love of champagne. She died aged 63 from a heart attack in Nice, France, after taking an accidental overdose of sleeping pills.

Honours

In 1997, Jonathan Harmsworth set up The Patricia Rothermere Award in honour of his mother. It was a two-part award and the first part went to

Judi Dench Dame Judith Olivia Dench (born 9 December 1934) is an English actress. Regarded as one of Britain's best actresses, she is noted for her versatile work in various films and television programmes encompassing several genres, as well as for her ...

in recognition of her services to theatre. The second part was given to promising drama students of that year. In 1997, that went to

Mark Rice-Oxley Mark Rice-Oxley is a British journalist. He is an editor and columnist at ''The Guardian'' newspaper, whose credits include award-winning work such as ''WikiLeaks'', ''Qatar's World Cup A world cup is a global sporting competition in whic ...

. The award was presented at the ''Evening Standard'' Theatre Awards show. It was later called the Lady Rothermere Drama Award.

References

External links

*
Peerage.com

WorldRoots.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rothermere, Patricia Harmsworth, Viscountess 1933 births 1992 deaths English film actresses English socialites

Patricia Patricia is a female given name of Latin origin. Derived from the Latin word ''patrician'', meaning "noble"; it is the feminine form of the masculine given name Patrick. The name Patricia was the second most common female name in the United State ...

British viscountesses Actresses from New York City 20th-century English actresses 20th-century American women