Brunton, Dorothy (1893–1977)
Brunton, Dorothy (1893–1977)
Australian-born actress and singer. Born Oct 14, 1893, in Melbourne, Australia; died June 5, 1977, in Sydney; dau. of Christine (Neilsen) Brunton and John Brunton (scenic artist); m. Benjamin Dawson.
As a child, made stage debut in Adelaide in The White Heather; was a great favorite on the Australian musical stage, playing leads in such plays as The Girl in the Taxi, The Girl on the Film, The Waltz Dream, The Merry Widow, High Jinks and So Long Letty (1914–18); made London debut in Shanghai (1918), followed by Soldier Boy, The Bantam V.C. and Baby Bunting, among others; appeared often on the London and Australian stage, most notably in Sydney as Betsy Burke in Dearest Enemy (1932); made film debut in Seven Keys to Baldpate; also appeared in Clara Gibbings (1934).