Perlita Neilson


Perlita Neilson was an English film, stage and television actress. She was educated at the Aida Foster Theatre School. One of her most notable roles was in 1957 as Anne Frank in the London production of The Diary of Anne Frank.

Personal life

She was born Margaret Phillipa Sowden in Bradford, but spent her early life in Argentina, where her father, Wilson Sowden, worked as an engineer. After her birth, her mother Isabella returned to Buenos Aires, where Margaret attended stage school. She began her career at age nine with a variety group of the British Community Players. She married Bruce Sharman in 1956 in Surrey, UK. She married Henry Neilson in 1961 in Surrey, UK. She died at age 80 in Brighton.

Filmography

DateProductionCharacter
1949Three Bags Full
1952Lace on Her PetticoatLady Alexander Carmichael
1952Portrait of RembrandtCornelia
1953The Story of Gilbert and SullivanLettie
1953Trouble in StoreMabel
1957ITV Television PlayhouseThe Roof Garden
1958She Didn't Say No!Mary Monaham
1959William TellAnna Gessler
1959The Eustace DiamondsLucy Morris
1960The Four Just MenMarie
1960EmmaHarriet Smith
1960The Vise – The Maid Was Curious
1961Maigret – "On Holiday"Sister Marie des Anges
1965The Flying Swan – "The Age of Consent"Sarah Barnes
1974Fall of Eagles - "The English Princess"Queen Victoria
1981The Day of the TriffidsMiss Durant