Sheila Hancock

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Sheila Hancock OBE

Born February 22, 1933 (1933-02-22) (age 75)
Blackgang, Isle of Wight
Years active 1958 - present
Spouse(s) Alec Ross (1954–1971)
John Thaw (1973–2002)

Sheila Hancock OBE (born 22 February 1933) is an English actress, known primarily for her comic performances.

Contents

[edit] Early life and Career

Born on the Isle of Wight, the daughter of a publican, she attended Dartford County Grammar School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She then joined Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, and has since appeared in over 40 films, mostly television releases. Big-screen roles include Carry On Cleo (1964), The Anniversary (1968), Take a Girl Like You (1970), Buster (1988) and Three Men and a Little Lady (1990). In 1978 she appeared on the West End stage as Miss Hannigan in the original London cast of the musical Annie. Since October 2006, she has been playing the role of Fraulein Schneider in the West End revival of the musical Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre. In 2007, she won a Laurence Olivier Award, as "Best Performance in a Supporting Role In A Musical" for the part.

From 1965 to 1966, she appeared as the lead role in The Bed-Sit Girl, created for her by Chesney and Wolfe.[1] Other television series she has participated in include Have I Got News For You, Room 101, Doctor Who, Call My Bluff and EastEnders, where she played Barbara Owen. In 2006 she played the character of Junie Taylor, who was the sister of the well-known character Joannie "Nan" Taylor, from The Catherine Tate Show, and she was a regular contributor to BBC2's third season of Grumpy Old Women. She was also in the Original series of The Rag Trade (1961) as Carol.

On radio, she has also made numerous appearances on Just a Minute, since the 1960s.

Hancock was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2002, for her role in The Russian Bride; and again in 2003 for her role in the TV series Bedtime.

[edit] Personal life

Hancock was married to actor Alec Ross from 1954 until his death from cancer in 1971. They had one daughter, Melanie Thaw, born in 1964.In 1973 Hancock married actor John Thaw. He adopted Melanie, and they had two more daughters, Joanna and Abigail Thaw. All three of their children have become actresses. She was married to John Thaw until his death from cancer on 21 February 2002. Hancock herself was ill with breast cancer during the 1990s, but made a full recovery. Her 2004 book, The Two of Us: My Life with John Thaw is a dual biography, which gives accounts of both their lives, as well as focusing on their 28 year marriage.

She is also a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), and a patron of the London HIV charity, The Food Chain. On May 16, 2007, Hancock was appointed chancellor of the University of Portsmouth[2].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Lewishohn, Mark (2003). Radio Times Guide to TV Comedy. London: BBC Worldwide. ISBN 0563487550. 
  2. ^ University of Porsmouth Students Union - April 20 2008 accessed June 6, 2008

[edit] External links


Persondata
NAME Hancock, Sheila
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Actress
DATE OF BIRTH 1933-2-22
PLACE OF BIRTH Blackgang, Isle of Wight
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH