Olivia Rose Irving (6 September 1934 – 29 May 1962) was a British actress. Her disappearance while at sea was the subject of a government inquiry and significant press coverage in June 1962.
Olivia Irving | |
|---|---|
 Olivia Irving, from a 1955 newspaper photo | |
| Born | 6 September 1934 Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Died | 29 May 1962 (age 27) Canary Islands |
| Occupation | Actress |
Early life and education edit
Irving was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, one of the three daughters of Sir Stanley Gordon Irving and Irene Hazel Maclean Irving. Her father was a British diplomat frequently based in Latin America.[1][2] She trained for a theatrical career at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art,[3] and with actress Ellen Pollock.[4]
Career edit
Irving was a skilled horsewoman and athlete with a "daring temperament".[1] She toured with the Saville Players,[5][6] and in the musical comedy The Quaker Girl.[7] She was especially well-reviewed in the show No Room at the Inn, in Wales in 1953: "her self-possession and stage technique are amazing when one realises that she is only 19 years of age," commented the newspaper in Pontypridd, adding that "it is evident she has a brilliant future ahead of her".[8] In 1956 she played Phebe in As You Like It in London.[9] She appeared in several BBC television movies in the mid-1950s, including The Olive Jar (1955), The Romantic Young Lady (1955), The Laboratory (1955), The Case of Mr. Pelham (1955),[10] Legend of Pepito (1955),[11] and the series Sailor of Fortune (1958).
Disappearance at sea edit
Irving had a medical history of "high excitement to deep depression", and was under treatment after a car accident.[12] She went missing at sea near the Equator, while traveling on the transatlantic liner Aragon from Argentina to the Canary Islands in May 1962.[13] She was presumed dead by drowning after her shoes and other items were found on the deck, near a railing.[1] She was 27 years old,[14] and engaged to Nathaniel Mayer Green, a London physician.[11] The Ministry of Transport opened an inquiry into her disappearance,[15][16] and her "profound emotional disturbance" was considered a significant factor.[17]
References edit
- ^ a b c Holman, Gordon (1962-06-12). "Vanished Actress in Liner Riddle". Evening Standard. pp. 1, 12. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Missing Actress Ruled Dead". The New York Times. 13 June 1962. p. 47. Retrieved 2023-10-25 – via TimesMachine.
- ^ "Actress lost on liner cruise". Daily Herald. 1962-06-02. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Was Coaching Girl Who Vanished". Chelsea News and General Advertiser. 8 June 1962. p. 5. Retrieved October 24, 2023 – via The British Newspaper Archive, via The Wikipedia Library.
- ^ "'The Sacred Flame': Saville Players' Final Performance". Pontypridd Observer and Glamorgan Free Press. 1953-10-31. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "This Was a Woman; Brilliant Acting at Town Hall". Pontypridd Observer and Glamorgan Free Press. 1953-09-19. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Shephard, Derek (1955-06-06). "TV Topics". Evening Telegraph. p. 71. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'No Room at the Inn'; Brilliant Performance by Olivia Irving". Pontypridd Observer and Glamorgan Free Press. 1953-10-24. p. 19. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Wearing, J. P. (2014-09-16). The London Stage 1950-1959: A Calendar of Productions, Performers, and Personnel. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 433. ISBN 978-0-8108-9308-5.
- ^ "Now it's television from Ireland". Birmingham Evening Mail. 1955-11-17. p. 10. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "I loved vanished actress--Doctor". Sunday Pictorial. 1962-06-03. p. 28. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Liner Girl 'Did Not Want to Live'". Daily Mail. 1962-06-12. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Actress Missing After Voyage". The New York Times. June 3, 1962. p. 73. Retrieved 2023-10-25 – via TimesMachine.
- ^ "Verdict on Actress; Olivia Irving was 'Killed or Drowned', British Decide". The Kansas City Star. 1962-06-12. p. 10. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Sandiford, John (1962-06-09). "Olivia Still Loved Me, Says Doctor". Daily Mirror. p. 7. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "A Bear Hug... And Then She Vanished". Daily Mirror. 1962-06-13. p. 9. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Actress Lost on Cruise Had 'No Will to Live'; Emotionally Upset, Ship's Doctor Says at Inquiry". The Daily Telegraph. 1962-06-13. p. 17. Retrieved 2023-10-24 – via Newspapers.com.