| Penelope Dudley-Ward | |
| Birthname: | Penelope Anne Rachel Dudley Ward |
| Birth Date: | 4 August 1914 |
| Birth Place: | London, England |
| Death Place: | London, England |
| Children: | 2, including Tracy Reed |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Years Active: | 1935–1944 |
Penelope Ann Rachel, Lady Reed (born Penelope Anne Rachel Dudley Ward; 4 August 1914 - 21 January 1982),[1] known as Penelope Dudley-Ward, was an English actress.
Born in London, she was the elder daughter of William Dudley Ward and the leading socialite Freda Dudley Ward,[2] her mother being best remembered for being the long-time mistress of the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VIII. She was a leading lady in several British films during the 1930s and 1940s. She retired from the screen following her second marriage.
Her first marriage, to Anthony Pelissier, lasted from 29 December 1939, until their divorce in 1944;[3] the couple had one daughter, the actress Tracy Reed. Dudley-Ward married film director Carol Reed on 24 January 1948.[4] They had one son, Max Reed, born 14 September 1948.[5] Dudley-Ward and Reed remained married until he died in 1976.[6]
Lady Reed died from a brain tumour on 21 January 1982 at the age of 67,[7] fourteen months before her mother.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Escape Me Never | Fenella McClean | ||
| 1935 | Moscow Nights | Natasha Kovrin | ||
| 1938 | The Citadel | Toppy LeRoy | ||
| 1939 | Hell's Cargo | Annette Lestailleur | ||
| 1940 | Dangerous Comment | Mrs. Conway | Short | |
| 1940 | Convoy | Mabel | ||
| 1940 | The Case of the Frightened Lady | Isla Crane | ||
| 1941 | Major Barbara | Sarah Undershaft | ||
| 1942 | We Serve | ATS Driver | Short | |
| 1942 | In Which We Serve | Maureen | ||
| 1943 | The Demi-Paradise | Ann Tisdall | ||
| 1944 | The Way Ahead | Mrs. Perry | ||
| 1944 | English Without Tears | Joan Heseltine | (final film role) |