**Norma Varden (1898 – 1989)**

A notable British character actress, Norma Varden is known for portraying roles of high-society women, governesses, or authoritarian and often eccentric figures in classic Hollywood cinema.

Her film career spanned over four decades, during which she played hundreds of memorable supporting characters. Among her most iconic appearances are *Casablanca* (1942), where she delivers the famous line about Major Strasser's death, *Witness for the Prosecution* (1957), *Gentlemen Prefer Blondes* (1953), *My Fair Lady* (1964), and *The Sound of Music* (1965), in the role of the governess Frau Schmidt.

Her style was characterized by a commanding presence, impeccable diction, and the ability to bring a touch of elegance or humor to often secondary characters.