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Margo Lee
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Margo Lee | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Margo Lee, television story, 1951, by Eric Francis | |
| Born | Margaret Stella Lee 20 June 1923 Leichhardt, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 16 October 1987 (aged 64) Gosford, New South Wales, Australia |
| Education | New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music |
| Occupations | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1941–1987 |
| Spouse |
Joseph Francis (Frank) Sidney Brooks
(m. 1945) |
| Children | 2 |
Margaret Stella Lee (20 June 1923 – 16 October 1987) credited as Margo Lee, was an Australian actor and singer of radio, stage, film and TV.[1]
Early life
[edit]Lee was born on 20 June 1923 in the Sydney suburb of Leichhardt, to Margaret Clara (née Draper) and John Llewellin Hogg. Her father was a dentist in Strathfield, followed by Gloucester.[1]
Lee went to school at the local convent, where she received piano lessons from one of the nuns. From the age of 12, she boarded with an aunt at Strathfield and in 1937 attended high school at the New South Wales State Conservatorium of Music.[1] She studied under Frank Hutchens, keen on becoming a concert pianist, and won the under-18 piano championship at the City of Sydney Eisteddfod in 1939.[1]
Career
[edit]Lee began working in radio with George Edwards before joining 'The Youth Show' on the Macquarie network in 1941, alongside Joy Nichols and Michael Pate,[2][1] in which she was known as the 'Golden Girl'.[3] Adopting the stage name 'Margo Lee', she sang and played comedy roles with Colin Croft.[1] During World War II, she acted in radio serials, including anthology series Lux Radio Theatre.[1]
Lee began performing in theatre, appearing at Sydney's Minerva Theatre from 1943.[4][2] She also had a role in the 1949 racecourse film Into the Straight.[1]
From 1952, Lee was a panellist for eight years on Leave It to the Girls, beginning on Sydney radio station 2GB before moving to the television version.[1] She also appeared on stage in a 1954 production of Top of the Bill at Sydney's Phillip Street Theatre, in their very first revue.[1]
Lee played leading roles in ABC radio plays including Major Barbara (1953), The Merchant of Venice (1954), Kind Hearts and Coronets (1959) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1964), as well as Noël Coward comedies.[1] Her performance alongside American actor Vincent Price in 1984, earned her the 1955 Lux Radio Theatre Award for Best Actress of the Year. The win was accompanied by a trip to Hollywood, to star in a TV play with Lux Video Theatre. While there for a period of four weeks, she was offered television parts and two film offers, but turned them down, not wanting to be away from her husband and sons for a great deal of time.[1][2]
On her return to Australia, Lee appeared in Australia's first live television drama, the ABC play J. M. Barrie's The Twelve-Pound Look in 1956.[1][3] She then starred in Stormy Petrel (1960), playing Elizabeth Macarthur.[1] Roles followed in Boney and the Devil's Steps (1972) and Ride on Stranger (1979).[1]
Lee continued working for stage, with a tap dancing role in a 1971 Melbourne production of musical comedy Charlie Girl,[1] alongside a young John Farnham.[5] She also performed as Gertrude opposite John Bell in a 1973 production of Hamlet at Sydney's Nimrod Theatre and played the Queen of Hearts in an Alice in Wonderland pantomime in 1976.[1][3]
In 1978, Lee appeared in the films The Journalist and Tim,[3] the latter alongside Mel Gibson in an early role.[6] She also featured in Now and Then.[3] Her television credits from the era included short-lived soap opera Catwalk and Crawford Productions police procedural series Division 4, as well as Cop Shop, Patrol Boat and Mismatch.[3] From 1982 to 1985, Lee portrayed Caroline Smithers in long-running television series A Country Practice.[1]
Lee had a role in a 1980 stage production of The Old Country,[1] and in 1982, performed in a STC production of You Can't Take It With You at the Sydney Opera House, playing the Russian Grand Duchess.[1] She playing lead in the Phillip Street revue Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You, the following year.[1]
In 1985, Lee won a Green Room Award for her supporting role in a stage production of Stepping Out.[1]
Lee appeared posthumously as Miss Dawson in 1988 miniseries Melba.[1]
Awards
[edit]| Year | Work | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 1984 | Lux Radio Theatre Awards | Best Actress of the Year | Won | [1] |
| 1985 | Stepping Out | Green Room Awards | Best Supporting Female (Music Theatre) | Won | [1][7] |
Personal life and death
[edit]On 1 November 1945, Lee married Joseph Francis (Frank) Sidney Brooks (d.1984), an advertising agent, at the Vaucluse Congregational Church. Together the couple had two sons, Derek and Richard.[1] In 1956, the family moved into a house that they had built at Seaforth. In 1978, her sons still lived at home.[1]
Lee died of cancer on 16 October 1987 in St Leonards, Sydney. She was survived by her sons.[1]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Into the Straight | Zara Marlowe | [8][1][9] | |
| 1978 | Tim | Mrs Harrington | ||
| 1979 | The Journalist | Editor | ||
| 1982 | Heatwave | Wealthy Woman | ||
| Starstruck | Pearl | [10][1] | ||
| 1985 | I Can't Get Started | Avril Williams | ||
| 1987 | The Place at the Coast | May Ryan |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Leave It to the Girls | Panellist | [1] | |
| I Found Joe Barton | Florrie | Short TV film | [11] | |
| 1956 | Lux Video Theatre | Laurie | Episode: "The Steel Trap" | |
| The Twelve Pound Look | Kate | TV play | [12][1] | |
| 1957 | Three Cornered Moon | Leonara the Duchess of Mal | TV play | |
| The Importance of Being Earnest | Gwendolyn Fairfax | TV play | [1] | |
| Leave It to the Girls | 21 episodes | |||
| 1958 | A Rose Without a Thorn | Catherine Howard | TV play | |
| 1960 | Stormy Petrel | Elizabeth Macarthur | 5 episodes | [1][13] |
| 1961 | Whiplash | Anna Eddington / Rosie London / Terri McKenna | 3 episodes | [14] |
| The Outcasts | Mrs John MacArthur | 3 episodes | [15] | |
| Two-Headed Eagle | The Queen | TV play | ||
| 1963 | Flowering Cherry | Isobel Cherry | TV play | [16] |
| Don't Listen Ladies | Madeleine | TV play | [17] | |
| 1964 | Tribunal | Lady Emma Hamilton | 1 episode | |
| The Purple Jacaranda | Anne James | Miniseries, 7 episodes | ||
| 1967 | Hunter | Valerie Cummings | 2 episodes | |
| 1969 | Woobinda (Animal Doctor) | Helen Mason | 1 episode | |
| Voyage Out | Tessa | TV play | ||
| 1970 | Eden House | Maxine | TV play | |
| Phoenix Five | Dr Sarah Fall | 1 episode | ||
| Delta | Veronica | 1 episode | ||
| 1971 | Catwalk | Marguerite Sommers | 1 episode | |
| 1973 | Boney | Miss Jade | 1 episode: "Boney and the Devil's Steps" | [1] |
| Division 4 | Bella Morris | 1 episode | ||
| 1974 | Class of '75 | Janet Henderson | ||
| 1975 | Behind the Legend | Miss Brennan | 1 episode | |
| 1976 | McManus MPB | Renee Soundtree | TV pilot | |
| 1978 | Run From the Morning | Mrs Hennessy | Miniseries, 6 episodes | |
| 1979 | Cop Shop | Pearl Singleton | 2 episodes | |
| Ride on Stranger | Lucy Rossingdale | Miniseries, 1 episode | [1] | |
| The Mismatch | TV movie | |||
| 1979–1983 | Patrol Boat | Matron Whylie | 2 episodes | |
| 1981 | The Young Doctors | Louise Fielding | 8 episodes | |
| 1982–1985 | A Country Practice | Caroline Smithers | 8 episodes | [1] |
| 1983 | M.P.S.I.B. | 1 episode | ||
| Carson’s Law | Mrs Emily Talbot | 3 episodes | ||
| Prisoner | Sonia Hanlon | 1 episode | ||
| The Girl from Moonooloo | TV movie | |||
| 1985 | Colour in the Creek | Mrs Anderson | Miniseries, 5 episodes | |
| 1988 | Melba | Miss Dawson | Miniseries, 2 episodes | [1] |
Theatre
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Janie | Minerva Theatre, Sydney with J. C. Williamson's & Whitehall Productions | [4] | |
| George Washington Slept Here | Minerva Theatre, Sydney with Whitehall Productions | [4] | ||
| 1947 | Youth at the Helm | [4] | ||
| 1948 | A Pickwick Story | Sydney Town Hall with Mercury Mobile Players | [4] | |
| 1950 | Amphitryon 38 | Independent Theatre, Sydney | [4] | |
| 1954 | Top of the Bill | Phillip St Theatre, Sydney | [1][4] | |
| 1955–1956 | Happy Returns | [4] | ||
| 1956–1957 | All for Mary | Mary Millar | Theatre Royal, Sydney, Her Majesty's Theatre, Brisbane, Roxy Theatre, Newcastle, Theatre Royal, Adelaide with J. C. Williamson's | [4] |
| 1959 | For Amusement Only | Theatre Royal Sydney with J. C. Williamson's | [4] | |
| 1960 | The Rape of the Belt | Elizabethan Theatre, Sydney | [4] | |
| 1962 | Shipwreck | Lucretia | University of Sydney with AETT | [4] |
| 1964 | Sweet Day of Decision | University of NSW Old Tote Theatre, Sydney with AETT | [4] | |
| 1965 | The Gallant Imposter, or She Wooed and She Would Not | Neutral Bay Music Hall, Sydney with George Miller | [4] | |
| An Evening With Noel Coward | St James Playhouse, Sydney with AETT | [4] | ||
| 1966 | Where Did Vortex Go? | Killara Soldiers Memorial Hall, Sydney | [4] | |
| Summer of the Seventeenth Doll | AMP Theatrette, Sydney with Q Theatre Company | [4] | ||
| 1967 | A Lily in Little India | Independent Theatre, Sydney | [4] | |
| 1968 | The Runaway Steamboat | Amy | Australia Hall, Adelaide with ATYP | [4] |
| Little Me | Miss Poitrine | Australian Production | [18] | |
| 1970–1971 | Charlie Girl | Kay Connor | St. James Theatre, Auckland, Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne with Williamson-Edgley Theatres | [1][4][5] |
| 1973–1974 | Hamlet | Gertrude | Nimrod Theatre, Playhouse, Canberra | [1][4][3] |
| 1974 | Don't Listen Ladies | Marian St Theatre, Sydney | [4] | |
| 1975 | A Slight Ache | AMP Theatrette, Sydney with Q Theatre Company | [4] | |
| 1976 | A Very Good Year | Music Loft Theatre, Sydney | [4] | |
| All Over | The Mistress | Nimrod Theatre, Sydney | [4] | |
| Alice in Wonderland | Queen of Hearts | York Theatre, Sydney with William Orr Productions | [1][4][3] | |
| 1977 | Revue at the Loft | Music Loft Theatre, Sydney | [4] | |
| 1978 | A Visit With the Family | Mother | Nimrod Theatre, Sydney | [4] |
| 1980 | The Old Country | Bron | Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, Theatre Royal Sydney with Paul Dainty Corporation & Phillip Emanuel Productions | [4][3] |
| Mourning Becomes Electra | Christine | SGIO Theatre, Brisbane with QTC | [4] | |
| 1982 | You Can't Take It With You | Russian Grand Duchess | Sydney Opera House with STC | [1][4] |
| 1983 | The Fields of Heaven | [4] | ||
| Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You | Lead role | Phillip St Theatre, Sydney with Peter Williams Productions & Margaret Kelly, Productions | [1][4] | |
| Tikki and Johns's Theatre Music Hall | Music Hall, Melbourne | [19] | ||
| 1985 | Stepping Out | Australian tour with Promcon Corporation, Paul Dainty Corporation, Wilton Morley & Peter Davis | [1][4] |
Radio
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Type | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | The Youth Show | Golden Girl | 2GB / Macquarie network | [2][1][20] |
| 1940s | Heritage Hall | 2UE / 2KO | [20] | |
| 1951 | Stamboul Train | Carol Musker | 2GB | [21] |
| 1952– | Leave It to the Girls | Panellist | [1][20] | |
| 1953 | Major Barbara | Major Barbara Undershaft | ABC Radio | [1] |
| c.1953–1964 | Life with Dexter | Jessie | 2GB | [20] |
| 1954 | The Merchant of Venice | Lead role | ABC Radio | [1] |
| c.1954– | Reach for the Sky | [20] | ||
| Stairway to Fame | [20] | |||
| 1955 | 1984 | Lead role | Lux Radio Theatre | [1] |
| Fallen Angel | Angel Fairfax | [20] | ||
| Bridge Against the Sky | Nola | ABC Radio | [22] | |
| Harry Dearth's Playhouse: The Little Glass Clock | 2UW | [23] | ||
| c.1955 | Starlight Theatre | [20] | ||
| 1956 | Unknown Quantity | Sarah Travers | [24] | |
| c.1956 | Short Story | [20] | ||
| 1959 | Kind Hearts and Coronets | Lead role | ABC Radio | [1] |
| 1950s | Book Club of the Air | 2TM | [20] | |
| Dinner at Antoine's | Odile St Amant | 2UW / 3UZ | [20] | |
| The Right to Happiness | Joan | [20] | ||
| 1950s–1960s | Occupational Hazard | [20] | ||
| Rick O'Shea | [20] | |||
| 1962 | Sara Dane | Sara Dane | [20] | |
| c.1963 | The Letter from Spain | Ethel Crewe | [20] | |
| 1964 | The Importance of Being Earnest | Lead role | ABC Radio | [1] |
| 1960s | The Big Fisherman | [20] | ||
| Sound of Thunder | Sylvia Enger | [20] | ||
| Big City | [20] |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az Rutledge, Martha (2012), "Margaret Stella (Meg) Lee (1923–1987)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, retrieved 4 August 2024
- ^ a b c d Sobey, Pat (25 April 1956). "Family first for Margo Lee". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 23. p. 15. Retrieved 29 May 2016 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "The Old Country". Theatregold. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah "Margo Lee". AusStage. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ a b "Charlie Girl – 1". Theatregold. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Canby, Vincent (17 September 1981). "'Tim,' A Romantic Drama from Australia". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Green Room Awards – Nominees and Recipients" (PDF). www.greenroom.org.au. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (11 August 2025). "Forgotten Australian Films: Into the Straight". FilmInk. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Into the Straight (1949)". www.aso.gov.au. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Starstruck – A Complete Companion to the 1982 film". www.starstruck1982.weebly.com. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: I Found Joe Barton". FilmInk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (30 January 2022). "Forgotten Australian Television Plays: The Twelve Pound Look". FilmInk. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: Stormy Petrel". FilmInk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Series: Whiplash". FilmInk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: The Outcasts". FilmInk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: Flowering Cherry". FilmInk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen. "Forgotten Australian TV Plays: Don't Listen Ladies". FilmInk. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Little Me – Australian Production (1968)". www.ovrtur.com. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Tikki and Johns's Theatre Music Hall". Theatregold. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Australian radio series (1930s–1970s)" (PDF). National Film and Sound Archive. 1998. Retrieved 15 January 2013.
- ^ "Dramatic New Story Commences in Library of the Air". ABC Weekly Vol. 13 No. 11 via Trove / National Library of Australia. 17 March 1951. p. 18. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ^ "Salzburg Festival Recordings: Bridge Against the Sky". ABC Weekly Vol. 17 No. 39 via Trove / National Library of Australia. 1 October 1955. p. 25. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Tonight". ABC Weekly Vol. 17 No. 34 via Trove / National Library of Australia. 27 August 1955. p. 44. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
- ^ "Unknown Quantity: Episode 1". National Film and Sound Archive. Retrieved 26 January 2026.