Vivien Merchant
Vivien Merchant ( born July 22, 1929 in Manchester as Ada Thompson, † October 3, 1982 in London) was a British actress.
Life
Merchant was already at the age of 14 years on stage. 1953 she was a member of the ensemble of Sir Donald Wolfit, where she meets her future husband, Harold Pinter met. Merchant worked in addition to their theatrical engagements too much for British television. She completed her first appearance in 1948 in the television film Virtuoso. In 1965, she starred opposite Michael Caine in the film adaptation The Alfie. For her portrayal of Lily Merchant was nominated for an Oscar. In the same year she played the role of Ruth in the world premiere of The Homecoming. Her husband Harold Pinter play was performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company and ran, also with Merchant as Ruth in 1967 on Broadway.
Merchant married in 1956 Harold Pinter, who left because of Antonia Fraser in 1977. The couple, who had a son born in 1958 was, divorced in 1980. Merchant coped with the end of their marriage only with difficulty and was addicted to alcohol. She died in London in 1982 at the consequences of their alcohol addiction.