Portland Mason
| Portland Mason | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
26 November 1948 Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Died |
19 May 2004 (aged 55) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1954–2004 |
| Spouse(s) | Rob Shuyler (? – 2004; her death) |
Portland Mason (1948 – 2004) was an American-born former child-actress.[1]
Early life
Mason was born November 26, 1948 and was the eldest child of actors James Mason and Pamela Mason. She enjoyed a luxurious upbringing in her parent's Hollywood mansion, being allowed to wear makeup, stiletto heels and owning her own Mink coat and diamonds by the age of nine.[2] Her highly publicized life began with her father becoming violent towards a photographer at the little girl's christening. When she attended high-school, Mason was dropped off every morning by a Rolls-Royce and picked up every evening by a white Cadillac.[3] Reportedly, her father introduced her to smoking at the age of three in hope it would put her off it in later life. Despite her extremely Bohemian upbringing, a London reporter who interviewed Mason in 1966 found her "surprisingly unspoilt, somewhat shy and unassuming".[3]
Career
Mason began her acting career very young, appearing on many television shows and by the age of four had starred in her own short entitled The Child. Mason then went on to play Gregory Peck's daughter in the 1956 film The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit. After that, she appeared in many films, shows and television series, most notably as Georgina in The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery in 1966.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1954 | The Child | Sally | short |
| 1956 | The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit | Janey Rath | |
| Bigger Than Life | Nancy | Uncredited | |
| 1958 | Cry Terror! | Patty's Friend on Schoolbus | |
| 1966 | The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery | Georgina | |
| 1968 | Sebastian | 'UG' Girl | (Last appearance) |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1954 | The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show | Porty | 1 episode |
| 1955 | The Ed Sullivan Show | Herself | 1 episode |
| 1956 | The Steve Allen Show | Herself | 1 episode |
| 1957 | Panic! | – | 1 episode |
| Playhouse 90 | Jane Millet | 1 episode | |
| 1958 | Tonight Starring Jack Paar | Herself | 2 episodes |
| 1959 | December Bride | Niece | 1 episode |
| 1960 | Shirley Temple's Storybook | Princess Elizabeth | 1 episode |
| 1961 | Bringing Up Buddy | Norma Nicky Marlo | 1 episode |
| 1962 | Here's Hollywood | Herself | 2 episodes |
| Hennesey | Yvette Fandlebusch | 1 episode | |
| 1966 | Bob Hope Comedy Special | Herself | 1 episode |