Alison Skipworth began acting on the London stage at age 31, needing extra money to help support her poor artist husband. The following year, 1895, she debuted on Broadway, going on to play leads in numerous American stage productions; later she moved into supporting roles. She appeared in one film in 1921, then began a screen career in 1930; through the late '30s she played lofty matrons and grand dames in many films. She retired from the screen at 75. She is best remembered for her work as a foil to W.C. Fields in several of his films.