**Gladys Cooper (1888-1971)** was a prominent British actress whose film career took off in Hollywood after years of theatrical success. Arriving in the United States in the 1940s, she became a recognizable face thanks to her regal bearing and elegance.

Cooper was often cast as aristocratic women, strict matriarchs, charming grandmothers, or authoritative figures, roles she played with a combination of dignity and subtle humor. Her performances earned her three Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress.

Among her most memorable film roles are Bette Davis's despotic mother in **Now, Voyager (1942)**, the strict Sister Marie Therese Vauzou in **The Song of Bernadette (1943)**, and the witty Mrs. Higgins in the iconic **My Fair Lady (1964)**. Her refined stage presence and ability to bring depth to often complex characters made her an iconic figure in classic cinema.