Anna Lee

Anna Lee – Life, Career, and Legacy

Learn about Anna Lee (1913–2004) — the English-born actress who made her mark in British and American film and television, notably as Lila Quartermaine on General Hospital. Explore her early life, career highlights, personal journey, and lasting influence.

Introduction

Anna Lee, MBE (born Joan Boniface Winnifrith; January 2, 1913 – May 14, 2004) was an English and American actress whose long career spanned over seven decades, encompassing British “quota quickies,” Hollywood films, and American daytime television.

She is perhaps best known to modern audiences for her portrayal of Lila Quartermaine on the soap opera General Hospital, but her earlier work in British and Hollywood films, and her transition to television, reflect a rich and adaptive artistic life.

Early Life and Family

Anna Lee was born Joan Boniface Winnifrith in Ightham, Kent, England.

• Her father, Bertram Thomas Winnifrith, was a headmaster and Anglican rector, who supported her ambitions in acting.

• Her mother was h Maude Digby-Roper.

• Anna Lee was also the goddaughter of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

• Her brother Sir John Winnifrith became a senior British civil servant.

Her upbringing in a religious, educational household, together with her father’s encouragement, helped her early entry into theatrical training.

Education & Early Acting Training

• Anna Lee studied at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (or equivalent training institutions linked to the Royal Albert Hall / Central School) in London.

• She began acting on stage and started appearing in films in small or uncredited roles from about 1932.

• Her earliest on-screen credit was His Lordship (1932), when she was 19.

During the 1930s she worked in the British film industry—especially under the quota system that required a certain number of British films (often low-budget “quota quickies”) to be produced. She gained experience in a variety of genres: drama, thriller, musical, horror.

Film Career: Britain & Hollywood

British Period

• In 1934 she signed with Gainsborough Pictures, one of the major British studios at that time.

• She played in films such as The Camels Are Coming (1934), The Passing of the Third Floor Back (1935), First a Girl (1935), The Man Who Changed His Mind (1936).

• In 1937, King Solomon's Mines was one of her more ambitious British productions.

• Her final British film before emigrating was Return to Yesterday (1940).

Hollywood & American Films

After relocating to the U.S.:

• She worked with director John Ford, appearing in films such as How Green Was My Valley (1941) and Fort Apache (1948).

• She co-starred in Flying Tigers (1942).

• She played a notable role in Fritz Lang’s Hangmen Also Die! (1943).

• Other films include Bedlam (1946), The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947), The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) (uncredited), What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) in a supporting role, The Sound of Music (1965) as Sister Margaretta.

• In What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, she portrayed Mrs. Bates.

Her work spanned genres—from war pictures to horror, drama, westerns, and musicals—showing her flexibility as a supporting actress.

Television & Later Career

• Anna Lee made frequent appearances on television anthology series in the 1940s and 1950s: Robert Montgomery Presents, The Ford Theatre Hour, Kraft Television Theatre, Armstrong Circle Theatre, Wagon Train.

• She guest starred on Perry Mason (1962) and Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1963).

• In 1958 she returned to Britain briefly for Gideon's Day (US title Gideon of Scotland Yard) playing the detective’s wife.

• From 1979 to 2003 (with some interruptions), she played Lila Quartermaine on General Hospital, one of the most enduring soap opera roles of her career.

• She also appeared on Port Charles as the same character.

Her presence on daytime television brought her into millions of homes, and sustained her public recognition late in life.

Personal Life

• Anna Lee married Robert Stevenson (film director) in 1933; they had daughters Venetia and Caroline. They divorced in 1944.

• Later in 1944, she married George Stafford, a pilot she had met during a USO tour, and had three sons (John, Stephen, Tim). They divorced in 1964.

• In 1970 she married Robert Nathan (novelist); they remained married until his death in 1985.

• Her son Tim Stafford used the stage name Jeffrey Byron as an actor.

• She became a naturalized U.S. citizen as Joanna Boniface Stafford on April 6, 1945.

• In 1981, she was involved in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down.

• Anna Lee was politically a staunch Conservative and reportedly supported viewpoints aligned with Winston Churchill.

Awards, Honors & Recognition

• In the 1983 New Year Honours, she was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the British community in Los Angeles.

• In 1995, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

• On May 21, 2004, after her death, she was awarded a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award; she was scheduled to receive it but passed away before the ceremony.

• She won multiple Soap Opera Awards for General Hospital (Outstanding Supporting Actress) in 1982, 1983, and 1988.

Legacy & Influence

• Anna Lee’s long tenure on General Hospital made her an enduring figure in American daytime television, especially among soap opera fans.

• She bridged British and American acting traditions, successfully shifting from the British film industry into Hollywood and then television.

• Her life story—overcoming adversity (e.g. her paralysis), multiple career changes, personal reinventions—illustrates resilience and longevity in the entertainment world.

• She remains a model for character actresses: those who may not always be leads but who imbue supporting roles with depth, consistency, and presence.

Notable Quotes & Tributes

Specific famous quotes by Anna Lee are less documented in the public record. However:

• Her repeated recognition via awards and honors (MBE, Emmy, Walk of Fame) speaks to how colleagues and audiences appreciated her body of work.

• Her autobiography (which she began writing in later years) offers personal reflections on decades in acting and life in show business.

Lessons from Anna Lee’s Life

1. Adaptability is key
   She moved across countries and media—stage, British film, Hollywood film, television—adapting to new roles and eras.

2. Longevity over stardom
   Rather than relying solely on leading roles, she built a lasting career by being dependable and versatile.

3. Commitment amid adversity
   Despite severe injury (paralysis), she continued working, demonstrating professional dedication to her craft.

4. Cross-cultural journey
   Her transition from British actress to American citizen and TV star illustrates how artists can cross cultural boundaries successfully.

5. Value of character roles
   Playing supporting or ensemble parts can lead to lasting recognition and affection if done with integrity and consistency.

Conclusion

Anna Lee’s life was one of continuous reinvention, professional resilience, and quiet influence. From her beginnings in Kent to her decades on American television, she showed that artistic careers can be long, multifaceted, and grounded in dedication more than fame alone. Her legacy lives on in General Hospital lore, film history, and the memory of many generations of viewers.