Kay Kendall

KAY KENDALL d1959. English actress whose film career began in the 1946 musical London Town ; though the film was a financial failure, Kendall continued to work regularly until her appearance in the comedy Genevieve brought her widespread recognition. Most prolific in British films, she did achieve popularity with American audiences and won a Golden Globe For Best Actress for her role in Les Girls (1957). She began a romantic relationship with co-star Rex Harrison, after they appeared together in The Constant Husband (1955) and they were married in 1957. Harrison then learned from her doctor that she had been diagnosed with myeloid leukemia ; a fact that was kept from Kendall, who had believed she was suffering from an iron deficiency. He cared for her until her death aged just 33 in 1959.