Biography

Prolific and ubiquitous British bit player Aileen Lewis was born Aileen Mary Halsey on April 9, 1914 in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. Nicknamed the Duchess because of her regal bearing, Lewis first began appearing in uncredited minor roles in films in the late 1940's and soon started working profusely from the early 1950's onward. Aileen could be frequently spotted looking elegant in a fancy evening gown as a guest at parties, dancing on the floor at a ballroom, or in the audience at either a concert or ballet. Moreover, her trademark aristocratic manner also led to Lewis being often cast as various upper-class ladies holding court with British royalty or as patrons in posh casinos, nightclubs, or restaurants. Her husband Lewis Alexander was a fairly prolific background player in his own right who occasionally popped up in movies with her. Aileen died at age 99 on February 12, 2014 in Felpham, West Sussex, England.