English character actress best known for her many portrayals of feisty cockney types, ranging from barmaids to landladies, charwomen to cooks. Unlike her working class screen personae, Irene's parentage was quite cosmopolitan, her father a Viennese banker, her mother a French aristocrat - affluent enough to enable her to travel extensively in her youth. She received her acting training at the Embassy School, under the auspices of the sister of 'Sybil Thorndike' , and remained an active performer well into her eighties.
Wrote two novels: The Sioux in 1965 and The Gold Tipped Phitzer in 1966. Both books were noted for their originality and intricate literary style and went on to become bestsellers.
Born to a wealthy Austrian banker and an aristocraric Frenchwoman.
Did not take to the stage until she was 36.
She was a passionate fan of Elvis Presley and a leading member of his UK fan club in the 1970s.
In her old age, she was offered the role of Lady Bracknell in a revival of "The Importance Of Being Earnest". She accepted the role, but was appalled when the director, Jonathan Miller, insisted that she play the part with a thick German accent. She always referred to him thereafter as "that silly man".
Unmarried.
