Barbara Jefford

Barbara Jefford, born Mary Barbara Jefford, OBE (26 July 1930 – 12 September 2020), was a British actress known for her notable performances in theater, film, and television. She achieved recognition for her work with prestigious theatrical companies such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Old Vic, and the National Theatre. One of her most significant roles was portraying Molly Bloom in the 1967 film adaptation of James Joyce's Ulysses. Born in Plymstock, Devon, Barbara Jefford was raised in the West Country and attended Weirfield School in Taunton, Somerset. She received her training in speech and drama at the Hartly-Hodder School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where she was honored with the Bancroft Gold Medal. Her stage debut occurred in 1949, playing Viola in Twelfth Night at the Dolphin Theatre in Brighton.