Actress. Although not much has been chronicled about her early life, she moved to London prior to initiating what was to become a distinguishable career in British films, TV and stage. Cookson marked her motion picture debut with the comedy “I Didn’t Do It” (1945) and appeared in the short-lived Broadway play “Love Goes to Press” (1947), but it would be her playing of Lady India in the comedy “Ring Round the Moon” (1950 to 1951), which may perhaps be her most acclaimed stage work. This performance led to her playing a wide range theater parts in “Rise Above It”, “The Water Gypsies”, “Six Months Grace” and “My Fair Lady”. She had a string of supporting film roles in the Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers vehicle “Your Past is Showing” (1957), “A Question of Adultery” (1958), “The Shakedown” (1960) and “Your Money or Your Wife” (1960) and accumulated many television credits. Cookson will be best remembered by fans of the popular cult TV series “The Prisoner” for her appearances in two episodes (“A.B. and C.” and “Many Happy Returns” as Mrs. Butterworth/Number 2, 1967). (bio by: C.S.)