Patricia A. Laffan (born 19 March 1919) is an English stage and film actress. She is best-known for her film roles as Empress Poppaea in Quo Vadis (1951) and the alien Nyah in Devil Girl from Mars (1954).
Early life
Laffan is the daughter of Arthur Charles Laffan, a successful rubber planter in Malaya, and Elvira Alice (Vitali). Upon seeing the film Broadway Melody (1929) Patricia decided to act. She was educated at Folkestone and at the Institut Français in London. At the Webber-Douglas Dramatic School, she studied for the stage and also studied dancing at the De Vos Ballet School.
Career
Laffan's first film appearance was in One Good Turn (1936). She joined the Oxford Playhouse Repertory Company, and her first stage appearance was as Jenny Diver in The Beggar’s Opera Jan. 1937 at the Oxford Playhouse. Her first London appearance was as the Young Girl in Surprise Item 25 Feb. 1938 at the Ambassadors Theatre. She toured military bases throughout England during World War II, appearing in Hay Fever and Twelfth Night. Her first credited film part was a minor role as Betty in Caravan (1946). The following year she was featured in the mystery film Death in High Heels (1947) with Don Stannard.