Anna Lee was born Joan Boniface Winnifrith on January 2, 1913, in the village of Ightham, Kent, England, where her father was Rector of St. Peter's Church. At the age of 17, Miss Lee began to study with Elsie Fogarty at the famed Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The alumni of this academy include Laurence Olivier, Ralph Richardson and John Gielgud. From there she joined the London Repertory Theatre and toured in such plays as The Constant Nymph and Jane Eyre.