Pamela Mason

Pamela Mason

Mason in 1952.
Born Pamela Ostrer
10 March 1916
Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, England
Died 29 June 1996 (aged 80)
Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
Other names Pamela Kellino
Occupation Actress, screenwriter
Years active 1934–1985
Spouse(s) Roy Kellino (m. 1932–40)
James Mason (m. 1941–64)

Pamela Mason (10 March 1916 – 29 June 1996) was a British actress, author, and screenwriter who appeared in several British films.

Early life and career

Born Pamela Ostrer in Westgate-on-Sea, Mason was the daughter of Isidore (1889-1975) and Helen Ostrer. Isidore Ostrer was the president of the Gaumont British Picture Corporation. Pamela left school at age 9 and age 16, married Roy Kellino. She began acting in 1934, and in 1939 she and Kellino made their first film together I Met a Murderer (1939).

While on the set of I Met A Murderer, she met actor James Mason and began an affair with him. Shortly afterwards, she divorced Kellino to marry Mason. They had two children: daughter Portland (1948–2004), and son Morgan (who is married to Belinda Carlisle, the lead singer of The Go-Go's). Portland Mason was named for Portland Hoffa, the wife of the American radio comedian Fred Allen; the Allens and the Masons were friends. She remained married to Mason until 1964.[1]

Mason went on to appear in various films including Lady Possessed (1952), The Child (1954), Sex Kittens Go to College (1960), and The Sandpiper. She also guest starred on Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, Playhouse 90, Love, American Style, and The New Dick Van Dyke Show.

She appeared as a contestant on the 18 February 1960 episode of the TV quiz program You Bet Your Life, hosted by Groucho Marx.[2]

She also hosted two talk shows The Pamela Mason Show from 1965–1966, and The Weaker (?) Sex from 1968-1969. In addition to acting, Mason authored several books including Marriage Is the First Step Toward Divorce and The Female Pleasure Hunt.[1]

Death

On 29 June 1996, Mason died of heart failure at her home in Beverly Hills, California. She is buried in Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1934 Jew Suss Naomi Oppenheimer Credited as Pamela Kellino
1939 Prince of Peace Mary Credited as Pamela Kellino
I Met a Murderer Jo Trent Writer, credited as Pamela Kellino
1945 They Were Sisters Margaret Lee Credited as Pamela Kellino
1947 The Upturned Glass Kate Howard Writer, credited as Pamela Kellino
1949 Caught Mrs. Fuller Uncredited
1951 Pandora and the Flying Dutchman Jenny Credited as Pamela Kellino
1952 Lady Possessed Sybil Writer, story
1953 Charade The Artist/Pamela/Baroness Tanslan/Lilly Writer, credited as Pamela Kellino
1954 The Child Janet
1960 College Confidential Edna Blake
Sex Kittens Go to College Dr. Myrtle Carter
1961 Five Minutes to Live Ellen Harcourt Alternative titles: Door-to-Door Maniac
Last Blood
1965 The Sandpiper Ellie Uncredited
1966 The Navy vs. the Night Monsters Marie Alternative titles: Monsters of the Night
The Night Crawlers
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1953 Omnibus Josephine 1 episode
1954 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Josephine 1 episode
1957 Panic! 1 episode
General Electric Theater Iris Sebastian 1 episode
1957–1958 Playhouse 90 Various roles 3 episodes
1958 Jane Wyman Presents
-
 Writer, 1 episode
1970 Love, American Style 2 episodes
1973 The New Dick Van Dyke Show 1 episode
1977 Wonder Woman Carla Burgess 1 episode
1985 My Wicked, Wicked Ways... The Legend of Errol Flynn Phoebe Straight Television movie

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pamela Mason.
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Smith, Dinitia (1996-07-02). "Pamela Mason, 80, An Author, Actress And Talk-Show Host". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
  2. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQdiU9hoJeY&index=94&list=PLHaioNpr_GDbvsTj_taM-jO6C1658N1PC

External links