Vivien Merchant

Vivien Merchant, originally named Ada Thompson, was a notable British actress born on July 22, 1929, and passed away on October 3, 1982. Throughout her career, she graced both stage and screen, featuring in productions such as the film "Alfie" (1966) and "Frenzy" (1972). Her work in "Alfie" garnered her nominations for the Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress, as well as the National Board of Review Award in the same category.

Merchant was married to playwright Harold Pinter, whom she met during her time as a repertory actress; they tied the knot in 1956 and welcomed their son, Daniel, in 1958. She played the character Rose in Pinter's inaugural play, "The Room" (1957), and continued to collaborate with him in various productions, showcasing her talent as Ruth in "The Homecoming" both on stage in 1964 and in the 1973 film adaptation. The last Pinter play she appeared in was "Old Times" (1971) as Anna.

However, their marriage began to deteriorate in the mid-1960s, partly due to Pinter's affair with Joan Bakewell from 1962 to 1969, which inspired his play "Betrayal." Pinter's later relationship with historian Lady Antonia Fraser led to his confession to Merchant, which initially she handled with grace. Unfortunately, influenced by a friend, her feelings turned sour, leading to a tumultuous separation. Merchant filed for divorce, and despite the challenges she faced, she never fully recovered from the loss of her husband, eventually succumbing to acute alcoholism at the age of 53.