Better known in England as a stage actress, she gave vibrant performances as the title role of "Peter Pan," Viola in "Twelfth Night" and Rosalind in "As You Like It," among others.
Completely retired shortly after her marriage to second husband, BBC radio journalist Alexander Whyte, in 1950. They had one daughter, Sarah Jane, born in July of 1952.
David O. Selznick saw her potential in Hitchcock's film "Young and Innocent" (1937) and avidly pushed for her to star in Hitchcock's next film "Rebecca." Hitchcock's impression she was too immature for the role and the sudden collapse of her studio, Gaumont British, combined to help her lose the part to Joan Fontaine.
Father was RADA-trained actor and theatrical manager Arnold Pilbeam.