Ellen Pollock (29 June 1902 – 29 March 1997) was a renowned British character actress celebrated for her extensive work in London's West End. Her career spanned an impressive 72 years, during which she not only performed in numerous stage productions but also made notable appearances in films and television.
A passionate admirer of George Bernard Shaw, Pollock served as president of the Shaw Society from 1949 onward. The Independent remarked in her obituary that she is believed to have portrayed more of Shaw's heroines than any other actress, marking her as a significant figure in his theatrical legacy. She was instrumental in directing seasons of Shaw's plays and famously announced the playwright's death from the stage during the London premiere of his lesser-known work, *Farfetched Fables*, in 1950.
Pollock's journey into acting began at the tender age of seven when she was inspired by a performance from the legendary Sarah Bernhardt. Beyond acting, she also excelled as a theatre director and served as a drama instructor at both RADA and the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Her television credits include several roles in the acclaimed BBC series *The Forsyte Saga*.
In her personal life, Pollock was married twice, outliving both husbands, Captain Leslie Hancock and artist James Proudfoot, and had one child with Captain Hancock. In 1992, she was honored as the subject of the television program *This Is Your Life*. Ellen Pollock was the daughter of Hedwig Kahn, sister of prominent figures such as banker Otto Hermann Kahn and composer Robert Kahn.
