English actress
Stage actress who made her dbut in 1909
She was awarded the CBE in the 1959 Queens Birthday Honours List for her services to drama.
Stepmother of Hermione Hannen.
Upon her death, her remains were interred at St. Marys Churchyard, Mill Green, Station Road, Wargrave, Berkshire, England.
After her first marriage ended, she lived with fellow actor, Nicholas "Beau" Hannen, from 1922 but they couldnt marry because Hannens wife refused a divorce. In 1928 she legally changed her name to Athene Hannen. They were married after his wifes death in 1960.
Plump, curmudgeonly British character actress, whose quirky personality and lived-in face enlivened many a performance as spinster aunt, indomitable dowager or pixillated old dear, over a period of six decades. She began on stage in 1908, in "The Truants", that year winning the RADA gold medal. In 1950, she was made President of the Council of RADA.
She claimed having never taken holidays, because she enjoyed her work too much.
Her father, secretary and advisor to a Greek millionaire, was obsessed with all things Greek and gave all of his daughters classical Greek names.
Athene was educated at Coombe Hill and at Bedford College, London, where she studied Restoration Comedy, which she was later to excel in as an actress..
In 1950, was elected lifelong president of the Theatrical Ladies Guild.
Appeared on stage at the Royal National Theatre at the venerable age of 101.
She and her husband Nicholas Hannen were devout Christian Scientists.
My work was my holiday to me, I enjoyed it so much. I had a smashing,time. .
