Basil Dean

Basil Dean (March 26, 1887, Croyson, Surrey, England - April 22, 1978) was a British stage and film actor. He married Lady Mercy Greville, Esther Van Gruisen and then British satge and film actress Victoria Hopper from August 1934 until 1939.

He started his career in showbusiness as a West End (London, UK) stage actor then later became a theatrical producer. He then moved into the film industry and in the early 1930s founded Associated Talking Pictures. Associated Talking Pictures later became Ealing Studios. He publicised and worked alongside Gracie Fields and George Formby, among entertainers. When the war started he left the film industry and became the head of ENSA (Entertainment’s National Service Association), the government-sponsored body responsible for bringing live performances to the armed services. He was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his work with ENSA.