Rachel Roberts
Biography
Rachel Roberts was a Welsh actress who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, then joined a Swansea repertory company in 1950. Her film debut came in the Welsh-set comedy Valley of Song (1953). She became best known for her portrayals of the older mistress of the central men in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning (1960) and This Sporting Life (1963), winning a BAFTA for Best British Actress for each and an Academy Award nomination for the latter. She also took a dual role in Lindsay Anderson's O Lucky Man! (1973), played Hildegarde Schmitt in the 1974 film Murder on the Orient Express, and appeared as a head teacher in Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975). Her stage work included the title part in Lionel Bart's musical Maggie May (1964), a 1974 Tony nomination, and a 1976 Drama Desk Award for Habeas Corpus. She won a supporting actress BAFTA for Yanks (1979), her last British film.
53years old at death
- Born Llanelli
- Died Hollywood
- Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
Movie Career
- Films
- 13
- Career span
- 22 years1960 to 1982
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Beyond film
In theater, Roberts performed at the Royal Court. She also took the title role in Lionel Bart's musical Maggie May in 1964, playing a prostitute described as life-enhancing.
Rachel Roberts movies on Netflix
The Wallas Regina Kowalska
Charlie Chan and the Curse of the Dragon Queenas Mrs. Dangers
When a Stranger Callsas Dr. Monk
Yanksas Mrs. Clarrie Moreton
Foul Playas Gerda Casswell
Picnic at Hanging Rockas Mrs. Appleyard
Murder on the Orient Expressas Hildegarde
Baffled!as Mrs. Farraday
O Lucky Man!as Gloria Rowe / Madame Paillard / Mrs. Richards
The Belstone Foxas Cathie Smith
Wild Roversas Maybell
This Sporting Lifeas Mrs. Margaret Hammond
Saturday Night and Sunday Morningas Brenda
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
Lindsay Anderson directed two of these films. Colin Blakely appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.








Films together
Colin Blakely3 films together, 1960 to 1974
Colin Blakely's page Murder on the Orient Express1974IMDb rating 7.2Roberts as HildegardeBlakely as Hardman
This Sporting Life1963IMDb rating 7.5Roberts as Mrs. Margaret HammondBlakely as Maurice Braithwaite
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning1960IMDb rating 7.5Roberts as BrendaBlakely as Loudmouth
Vanessa Redgrave2 films together, 1974 to 1979
Vanessa Redgrave's page Yanks1979IMDb rating 6.4Roberts as Mrs. Clarrie MoretonRedgrave as Helen
Murder on the Orient Express1974IMDb rating 7.2Roberts as HildegardeRedgrave as Mary Debenham
Albert Finney2 films together, 1960 to 1974
Albert Finney's page Murder on the Orient Express1974IMDb rating 7.2Roberts as HildegardeFinney as Hercule Poirot
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning1960IMDb rating 7.5Roberts as BrendaFinney as Arthur Seaton
Lisa Eichhorn2 films together, 1979 to 1982
Arthur Lowe2 films together, 1963 to 1973
Arthur Lowe's page O Lucky Man!1973IMDb rating 7.6Roberts as Gloria Rowe / Madame Paillard / Mrs. RichardsLowe as Mr. Duff / Charlie Johnson / Dr. Munda
This Sporting Life1963IMDb rating 7.5Roberts as Mrs. Margaret HammondLowe as Charles Slomer
John Barrett2 films together, 1960 to 1973
John Barrett's page O Lucky Man!1973IMDb rating 7.6Roberts as Gloria Rowe / Madame Paillard / Mrs. RichardsBarrett as Bill
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning1960IMDb rating 7.5Roberts as BrendaBarrett as Man in Cafe
Lindsay AndersonDirector, 2 films, 1963 to 1973
All films by Lindsay Anderson O Lucky Man!1973IMDb rating 7.6Roberts as Gloria Rowe / Madame Paillard / Mrs. Richards
This Sporting Life1963IMDb rating 7.5Roberts as Mrs. Margaret Hammond
Also two films together1 more actor
- Wallas EatonO Lucky Man! (1973) and This Sporting Life (1963)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.
Awards
Four awards and honors from 1961 to 1980, three of them major.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAFTA | |||
| 1980 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Yanks | Won |
| 1964 | Best Actress in a Leading Role | This Sporting Life | Won |
| 1961 | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Saturday Night and Sunday Morning | Won |
| Other honors | |||
| Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.


