Elizabeth Inglis (born Desiree Mary Lucy Hawkins; 10 July 1913 – 25 August 2007) was an English actress. She was best known for her role in The Letter and for being the mother of American actress Sigourney Weaver.

Early life

Inglis was born Desiree Mary Lucy Hawkins in Colchester on 10 July 1913, the daughter of Margaret Inglis (née Hunt) and Alan George Hawkins.

Career

Inglis' screen debut was in the film Borrowed Clothes (1934). She then had a small part as Hilary Jordan in Alfred Hitchcock's film The 39 Steps (1935). She played the young maid Nancy in the original British production of Patrick Hamilton's play Gas Light, which premiered on 5 December 1938 and closed on 10 June 1939 after 141 performances. Inglis and the rest of the cast recreated their stage roles for a 1939 television presentation performed live on BBC Television. In Hollywood, Inglis played Adele Ainsworth in William Wyler's film The Letter (1940). By this time, she was using the stage name Elizabeth Earl.

Personal life

Inglis was married to American television executive Pat Weaver from 1942 until his death in 2002. She retired from acting after they married. The couple had two children, including actress Sigourney Weaver. In a deleted scene from Aliens (1986), a photograph of Inglis was used to portray Amanda Ripley, the elderly daughter of Weaver's character Ellen Ripley.

Death

Inglis died on 25 August 2007 in Santa Barbara, California at the age of 94.

Filmography