Image gallery for: Merle oberon born estelle merle o brien thompson 19 february 1911 – 23 november 1979 was a eurasian actress who began her film career in british films as anne boleyn in the private life of henry viii 1933 after her success in the scarlet pimpernel 1934 she traveled to the united states to make films for samuel goldwyn she was nominated for an academy award for best actress for her performance in the dark angel 1935 a traffic collision in 1937 caused facial injuries that could have ended her career but she recovered and remained active in film and television until 1973