Trivia

In 1974, the American-born Cummings, who resided in the UK for many decades, was made a Commander of the British Empire for her contributions to the British entertainment industry.

Discovered by Samuel Goldwyn while she was appearing on Broadway.

From an early age she wanted to be a classical dancer, but in her mid-teens, after a walk-on bit as a prostitute in a summer stock production of "Seventh Heaven", she switched gears and began acting and dancing in stage musicals.

She was awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1974 Queen's New Year Honours List for her services to drama.

Won Broadway's 1979 Tony Award as Best Actress (Play) for "Wings" in a tie with Carole Shelley for "The Elephant Man." Ms. Cummings recreated her Tony-winning performance in a television version with the same title, Wings (1983).

Graced a number of her husband's plays, including "Young Madame Conti" (1936), "Madame Bovary" (adapted) (1937), "If I Were You" (1938), "The Jealous God" (1939), "Clutterbuck" (1946), "Return to Tyassi" (1950), "The Rape of the Belt" (191957) and "Public and Confidential" (1966).

According to Ms. Cummings, her first appearance in front of a motion picture camera was as an uncredited member of the audience in one of the Robert Ripley Believe It or Not one-reel short subjects circa 1930.

Was a committee member of the Royal Court Theatre and the Arts Council.

Won the Tony Award (shared with Carole Shelley in "The Elephant Man"), an Obie Award, and a Drama Desk Award for her twilight role in "Wings" (1979).

Was signed for, and began filming The Devil to Pay! (1930) but was replaced by Loretta Young.

She was paired with Robert Young in two films: The Guilty Generation (1931) and Remember Last Night? (1935).

In 1979, Constance Cummings and Carole Shelley tied for the Tony Award for Lead Actress in a Play. Constance won for "Wings" and Carole won for "The Elephant Man". Theirs was the only tie in this category and the seventh of ten ties overall in Tony history.

Had two children: Jonathan and Jemina.

Daughter of Dallas Vernon, a lawyer, and Kate Logan (Cummings) Halverstadt, a concert soprano.

WAMPAS Baby Star in 1931.