Heather Grace Angel was born on February 9, 1909, in Oxford, England, to a family of Italian descent, and she emerged as a prominent British-American actress during the 1930s and 1940s, known for her elegant screen presence in both silent and sound films.

After early stage experience, she debuted in British cinema with City of Song in 1931 and gained attention for leading roles in A Night in Montmartre and The Hound of the Baskervilles that same year, prompting her move to Hollywood where she signed with major studios like MGM and Universal. Her American breakthrough included Pilgrimage and Charlie Chan's Greatest Case in 1933, followed by acclaimed performances in Berkeley Square and John Ford's The Informer in 1935, showcasing her versatility in drama and romance.​

Heather Angel became a staple in the Bulldog Drummond series from 1937 to 1939, portraying Phyllis Clavering in five films opposite Ray Milland, which solidified her popularity in B-movies and serial adventures. She appeared in prestigious productions such as Pride and Prejudice in 1940 as Kitty Bennet, Alfred Hitchcock's Suspicion in 1941 as the maid Ethel, and Lifeboat in 1944 as Mrs. Higley, blending supporting roles with memorable character work amid Hollywood's golden age.

Other notable credits encompassed The Three Musketeers, The Last of the Mohicans, and Raymond Chandler's Time to Kill in 1942, along with voice roles as Alice's sister in Disney's Alice in Wonderland (1951) and Mrs. Darling in Peter Pan (1953).​

Transitioning to television in later years, Heather Angel played Miss Faversham, the nanny companion to Sebastian Cabot's character in the sitcom Family Affair from 1964 to 1965, and made guest appearances on shows like Police Story before her final role as Mrs. Wallace in the 1979 miniseries Backstairs at the White House.

Her career spanned over 60 films and numerous stage and radio performances, earning her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960 for her motion picture contributions.

Heather Angel passed away from cancer on December 13, 1986, in Santa Barbara, California, at the age of 77.