Gabrielle Beaumont
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Michael J Davis(m. 1994; died 2008)
Gabrielle Beaumont | |
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| Born | 7 April 1942 Gerrards Cross, UK |
| Died | 8 October 2022 (aged 80) Fornalutx, Spain |
| Occupation | Director |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 1 |
Gabrielle Beaumont (born Gabrielle Toyne; 7 April 1942 – 8 October 2022) was a British-American film and television director. She is regarded as one of the most prolific female television directors of the 80s and 90s,[1] breaking into the industry at a time when there were "fewer than 100 professional female directors in the US."[2] She was the first woman to work on numerous series, including being the first female director of a Star Trek episode.[3]
Beaumont was born Gabrielle Toyne[2] on 7 April 1942[4][5] in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire[2] to producer and stuntman Gabriel Toyne and actress Diana Beaumont. Her brother was actor and producer Christopher Toyne.[1][3] She attended Our Lady of Sion School in London. Following her graduation, she took her mother's maiden name, Beaumont, as her surname.[2]
Career
Beaumont began her career as an actress, before moving to theatre production and stage management.[2][4] In 1964, she was hired as an editor for the BBC.[2][3] She transitioned in the company to directing and production management,[3][4] before leaving the company to pursue film production. In 1971, she made her directorial debut with the horror films The Johnstown Monster and Crucible of Horror.[2][3] From 1973 to 1980, she worked for Thames Television where she directed daytime television programs.[2]
In 1980, Beaumont produced and directed the horror film The Godsend. After its American release, Beaumont was able to secure a meeting with American television producer Aaron Spelling.[3] Following the meeting, she moved to America and began a decades-long working relationship with Spelling, who hired her to direct shows such as Vega$, Hart to Hart, Glitter, and Beverly Hills, 90210. While working with Spelling on Dynasty, she recommended that he cast her friend Joan Collins as Alexis Colby.[1][3]
When Beaumont first moved to California, she was one of less than 100 professional female directors working in the film and television industry.[2] Despite this, Beaumont stated that the US provided more opportunities for woman than the UK,[4] choosing to stay in America for the remainder of her directorial career.[2] In 1986, she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for her direction on the set of Hill Street Blues.[5] In 1989, she became the first woman to direct an episode of Star Trek, working on the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Booby Trap".[3]
She received criticism from media outlets in 1998, after she directed the TV movie Diana: A Tribute to the People's Princess. The film focused on Princess Diana's relationship with Dodi Fayed prior to their death and was described by reviewers as "tacky."[2] Beaumont retired from directing in 2000.[2]
Later life
Following her retirement, Beaumont moved to Mallorca,[4] where she had owned a vacation home since 1969.[6] She took up screenwriting and adapted The King's General into a miniseries script.[1] She later opened up a restaurant in the village of Fornalutx.[4][6]
Beaumont died of cancer at her home in Fornalutx on 8 October 2022, at the age of 80.[3][2]
Personal life
Beaumont was married to actor and screenwriter Olaf Pooley from 1982[7] until their divorce in 1993.[2] The couple had a daughter, Amanda Pooley, who died in 1989.[1][4] In 1994, Beaumont married cinematographer Michael J Davis. The two remained together until Davis' death in 2008.[2]
Beaumont was the cousin of Daphne du Maurier.[3]
