Ruth Kettlewell
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Ruth Kettlewell (1913–2007) was a noted[1][2] English actress who, by her own admission, was a “character bag”: that is a recognisable face to regular TV watchers but not a household name.[3]
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[edit] Life to death of husband
She was born Ruth Anne Berry April 13, 1913 in Worcester, the second daughter of a clergyman, and educated at Casterton College. She herself married a curate at the age of 18. She often played small parts in amateur dramatic productions. Her husband died from scarlet fever caught while a wartime army padre. She served in the Women's Land Army from 1942 to 1946.
[edit] Early career
Kettlewell began her career in rep[4] and by the late 50s had managed to secure small West End roles. In 1959 she had her first film role in Room at the Top. She even acted in Norwegian for a Scandanavian children's film.
[edit] TV and radio breakthroughs
She is perhaps best known for her role in All Gas and Gaiters[5] where she played the Dean's wife. In 1966, she had a small role in the seminal Cathy Come Home. A specialist in landladies and mothers-in-law, she was equally at home with both adult or children's material.[6] Like many actors she continued to work well into her eighties.[7]
[edit] Later life
A devout Anglo-Catholic and active member of the Actors’ Church Union,[8] she directed many amateur productions with a devotional theme for her church, St Augustine of Canterbury, Highgate,[9] where she also served as churchwarden and sacristan.
She died on July 17, 2007 in London.
[edit] References
- ^ Peer tributes
- ^ Ruth Kettlewell at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Times Obituary
- ^ Memories of time in rep
- ^ All Gas and Gaiters critique
- ^ Mid career role
- ^ Most recent role
- ^ She visited the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham on numerous occasions: Times Obituary (Ibid).
- ^ Parish web-site
