​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Vivien Merchant (born Ada Thompson 22 July 1929 – 3 October 1982) was a British actress.

She performed in many stage productions and several films, including Alfie (1966) and Frenzy (1972). Her performance in Alfie earned her Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress, and the National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress. She was the first wife of the playwright Harold Pinter, whom she met when working as a repertory actress and married in 1956.