Dora Bryan obit

Dora Bryan: Summer Wine and Ab Fab actress dies aged 91

 

She was not on the list.

Dora Bryan, the veteran British actress whose long career encompassed theatre, film, radio and television, has died in Hove, near Brighton, at the age of 91.

She was best known for her roles in Last of the Summer Wine and Absolutely Fabulous, and won a best actress Bafta for the 1962 film A Taste Of Honey.

Her grandson Sam said her "longevity as an actress had been truly incredible".

She died at the Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, with her sons Daniel and William at her bedside.

Daniel told the Argus newspaper, external: "It was heartbreaking but it was peaceful. "She just left us.

"She was a tiny woman but her constitution was incredible. She loved being on stage, that's what she wanted. Not only did she do it, but she was good at it.

"She was a star, and a mum."

Born Dora May Broadbent in Southport, Lancashire, the actress made her stage debut aged 12 before working with Ensa, the armed forces' entertainment body, during World War II.

After moving to London, she was encouraged to change her surname by Noel Coward while appearing in a production of his play Private Lives.

The actress chose Bryant as her new stage name, after the match manufacturers Bryant and May, but became Dora Bryan when a theatre programme omitted the last letter.

She went on to play the title role in Hello, Dolly on stage and make appearances in such films as The Blue Lamp, Carry On Sergeant and The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery.

She was also heard on radio in Hancock's Half Hour and alongside Nicholas Parsons and Kenneth Horne in the comedy series Much Binding in the Marsh.

Bryan, who became an OBE in 1996, headlined a number of stage revues and made several appearances at the National Theatre.

She had a recurring role in Absolutely Fabulous as June Whitfield's on-screen friend Dolly and was seen as Ros Utterthwaite in Last of the Summer Wine.

In real life she endured several hardships. She suffered two nervous breakdowns, her adopted daughter Georgina died from alcoholism and her husband, cricketer Bill Lawton, died from Alzheimer's in 2008.

She was also afflicted by short-term memory loss that affected her ability to learn lines and led to her retirement in 2006.

Lionel Blair was among those paying tribute to the actress on Twitter.

"So very sad to hear of the passing of my good friend Dora Bryan," he wrote, external. "She was wonderful."

 

Gone to the Dogs (2006)

Gone to the Dogs

8.0

Short

Rose

2006

 

Bill Owen, Peter Sallis, and Brian Wilde in Last of the Summer Wine (1973)

Last of the Summer Wine

7.1

TV Series

Roz

Ros

2000–2005

50 episodes

 

Someone in Particular

Short

Homeless Pensioner

2005

 

Stephanie Leonidas in Mirrormask (2005)

Mirrormask

6.7

Aunt Nan

2005

 

Bob Mortimer and Vic Reeves in Catterick (2004)

Catterick

7.9

TV Mini Series

Mrs. Trethrewick

2004

1 episode

 

An Angel for May (2002)

An Angel for May

6.9

TV Movie

Evelyn

2002

 

Guy Henry in Holby City (1999)

Holby City

5.8

TV Series

Betty Wheeler

2002

1 episode

 

David Peachey in Bernard's Watch (1997)

Bernard's Watch

7.1

TV Series

Marjorie Bell

2001

1 episode

 

Joanna Lumley and Jennifer Saunders in Absolutely Fabulous (1992)

Absolutely Fabulous

8.2

TV Series

Dolly

Millie

1996–2001

2 episodes

 

Doctors (2000)

Doctors

4.6

TV Series

Lily Anderson

2000

1 episode

 

Safe as Houses

TV Movie

Mrs. Hyams

2000

 

Hippies (1999)

Hippies

7.0

TV Series

Dame Nelly Fletcher

1999

1 episode

 

Shobna Gulati, Duncan Preston, Julie Walters, and Victoria Wood in dinnerladies (1998)

dinnerladies

7.8

TV Series

Connie

1998

1 episode

 

Absolutely Fabulous: Absolutely Not!

8.9

Video

Millie

1997

 

Warren Clarke, Jojo, Zizi, Zak, Tricky Nicky, Leo Piper, and Spangles in Moving Story (1994)

Moving Story

7.8

TV Series

Maureen Stevens

1995

1 episode

 

Performance (1991)

Performance

6.6

TV Series

Bosom Lady

1995

1 episode

 

Boon (1986)

Boon

6.4

TV Series

Simone, a Forger

1995

1 episode

 

Cats' Eyes (1994)

Cats' Eyes

8.7

TV Series

Dora (1994)

1994–1996

 

Roy Barraclough, Shona Lindsay, and Paul Shane in Mother's Ruin (1994)

Mother's Ruin

6.5

TV Series

Kitty Flitcroft

1994

6 episodes

 

Nick Berry in Heartbeat (1992)

Heartbeat

6.9

TV Series

Jane Thompson

1993

1 episode

 

Timothy Spall in Frank Stubbs Promotes (1993)

Frank Stubbs Promotes

6.7

TV Series

Molly Bramley

1993

1 episode

 

Casualty (1986)

Casualty

6.1

TV Series

Hester Blewett

1992

1 episode

 

Bernard Bresslaw and Kim Thomson in Virtual Murder (1992)

Virtual Murder

6.5

TV Series

Mrs. Mim

1992

1 episode

 

Palmer (1991)

Palmer

5.9

TV Movie

Monica

1991

 

Sam Kelly, Joan Sims, and Dennis Waterman in On the Up (1990)

On the Up

7.2

TV Series

Tony's Mum

1990

2 episodes

 

Colin Firth and Hart Bochner in Apartment Zero (1988)

Apartment Zero

6.8

Margaret McKinney

1988

 

Victoria Wood in Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV (1985)

Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV

8.0

TV Series

Pam's Mum

1986

1 episode

 

Let's Parlez Franglais

TV Series

1984

1 episode

 

Diane Keen and Patrick Troughton in Foxy Lady (1982)

Foxy Lady

5.3

TV Series

Ada Breeze

1984

1 episode

 

Screamtime (1983)

Screamtime

4.9

Emma

1983

 

Triangle (1981)

Triangle

5.1

TV Series

Woman

1983

1 episode

 

The Sooty Show (1968)

The Sooty Show

7.1

TV Series

1975

2 episodes

 

Charles Dickens' World of Christmas

TV Movie

1974

 

Gracie Fields in Stars on Sunday (1969)

Stars on Sunday

3.6

TV Series

Mrs. Gamp

1973

1 episode

 

Up the Front (1972)

Up the Front

4.5

Cora Crumpington

1972

 

Pat Ashton and Dora Bryan in Both Ends Meet (1972)

Both Ends Meet

TV Series

Dora Page

1972

7 episodes

 

The Brighton Belle

TV Mini Series

1972

1 episode

 

Eric Porter and Angharad Rees in Hands of the Ripper (1971)

Hands of the Ripper

6.2

Mrs Golding

1971

 

Sean Connery, Michael Caine, Paul Scofield, and Anna Calder-Marshall in ITV Saturday Night Theatre (1969)

ITV Saturday Night Theatre

5.8

TV Series

Bunty

1970

1 episode

 

The Coward Revue

9.7

TV Movie

1969

 

Dora Bryan and Bruce Forsyth in Red Peppers (1969)

Red Peppers

TV Movie

Lily Pepper

1969

 

Theatre Date

TV Series

Bridgld O'Cooney

Mrs. Dawkins

Mrs. van Boven ...

1969

1 episode

 

Ann Holloway and Cliff Richard in Two a Penny (1967)

Two a Penny

5.3

Ruby Hopkins

1967

 

Before the Fringe

TV Series

1967

5 episodes

 

The Sandwich Man (1966)

The Sandwich Man

5.5

Mrs De Vere

1966

 

The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery (1966)

The Great St. Trinian's Train Robbery

5.8

Amber Spottiswood

1966

 

Six of the Best

TV Series

Olive Taplow

1965

1 episode

 

Happily Ever After (1961)

Happily Ever After

TV Series

Dora Morgan

1961–1964

12 episodes

 

Dickie Henderson and June Laverick in The Dickie Henderson Show (1960)

The Dickie Henderson Show

6.9

TV Series

1962–1963

2 episodes

 

A Taste of Honey (1961)

A Taste of Honey

7.4

Helen

1961

 

The Night We Got the Bird (1961)

The Night We Got the Bird

5.6

Julie Skidmore

1961

 

Alice Through the Looking Box (1960)

Alice Through the Looking Box

TV Movie

Queen

1960

 

Follow That Horse! (1960)

Follow That Horse!

5.6

Miss Bradstock

1960

 

Rendezvous (1957)

Rendezvous

7.1

TV Series

1959

1 episode

 

Desert Mice (1959)

Desert Mice

5.3

Gay

1959

 

Peter Brough and Dick Emery in Educating Archie (1958)

Educating Archie

7.4

TV Series

1959

1 episode

 

After Hours

6.6

TV Series

1959

1 episode

 

BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950)

BBC Sunday-Night Theatre

7.0

TV Series

Violet Watkins

Mabel Middy

Mabel

1958–1959

3 episodes

 

Operation Bullshine (1959)

Operation Bullshine

5.6

Pvt. Cox

1959

 

Sonja Henie in Hello London (1958)

Hello London

8.3

Barmaid

1958

 

Theatre Night (1957)

Theatre Night

8.3

TV Series

Julie Skidmore

1957–1958

2 episodes

 

William Hartnell in Carry on Sergeant (1958)

Carry on Sergeant

6.3

Norah

1958

 

Zsa Zsa Gabor, Anna Neagle, and Anthony Quayle in The Man Who Wouldn't Talk (1958)

The Man Who Wouldn't Talk

6.3

Telephonist

1958

 

Small Hotel (1957)

Small Hotel

7.0

1957

 

Men, Women and Clothes

8.3

TV Series

Self Modelling Fashions

1957

2 episodes

 

My Wife's Sister

TV Series

Dora

1956

4 episodes

 

The Green Man (1956)

The Green Man

7.1

Lily

1956

 

A 1956 Golden Era Film for Eros Films, this was another tear-jerker for child star Mandy Miller to strut her stuff after the box office success "Mandy." 

Child in the House

6.0

Cassie

1956

 

The Cockleshell Heroes (1955)

The Cockleshell Heroes

6.5

Myrtle

1955

 

The Water Gipsies

TV Movie

Lily Bell

1955

 

Lilli Palmer Theatre (1955)

Lilli Palmer Theatre

8.4

TV Series

Rosie, later Mrs. Bunce

1955

1 episode

 

You Lucky People! (1955)

You Lucky People!

5.1

Sgt. Hortense Tipp

1955

 

See How They Run (1955)

See How They Run

6.7

Isa

1955

 

As Long as They're Happy (1955)

As Long as They're Happy

5.1

May

1955

 

Simon and Laura

TV Movie

Janet Honeyman

1955

 

Harmony Lane (1954)

Harmony Lane

5.5

Short

1954

 

Glynis Johns in Mad About Men (1954)

Mad About Men

6.3

Berengaria

1954

 

Shop Spoiled (1954)

Shop Spoiled

6.4

Customer

1954

 

Chance Meeting (1954)

Chance Meeting

6.2

Switchboard Operator (uncredited)

1954

 

Fast and Loose (1954)

Fast and Loose

5.9

Mary Rawlings, the maid

1954

 

You Know What Sailors Are (1954)

You Know What Sailors Are

5.5

Gladys

1954

 

The Real Thing (1953)

The Real Thing

Short

Dora

1953

 

Jack Hawkins in The Intruder (1953)

The Intruder

6.7

Dora Bee

1953

 

Coleen Gray and Dennis O'Keefe in The Fake (1953)

The Fake

6.1

Barmaid

1953

 

Both Sides of the Law (1953)

Both Sides of the Law

6.7

Prostitute at Police Station

1953

 

Miss Robin Hood (1952)

Miss Robin Hood

6.2

Pearl

1952

 

Made in Heaven (1952)

Made in Heaven

5.3

Ethel Jenkins

1952

 

Twilight Women (1952)

Twilight Women

6.5

Olga

1952

 

The Globe Revue

TV Movie

1952

 

The Ringer (1952)

The Ringer

6.4

Mrs. Hackett

1952

 

Time, Gentlemen, Please! (1952)

Time, Gentlemen, Please!

6.4

Peggy Stebbins

1952

 

Vampire Over London (1952)

Vampire Over London

3.9

Tilly

1952

 

Richard Attenborough, Trevor Howard, and Sonny Tufts in Glory at Sea (1952)

Glory at Sea

6.3

Glad Flanagan

1952

 

Sandra Dorne in 13 East Street (1952)

13 East Street

5.8

Valerie

1952

 

Richard Carlson and Greta Gynt in Whispering Smith vs. Scotland Yard (1952)

Whispering Smith vs. Scotland Yard

6.3

La Fosse

1952

 

High Treason (1951)

High Treason

6.7

Mrs. Bowers

1951

 

Diana Dors in Bikini Baby (1951)

Bikini Baby

5.8

Lady in Charge of Publicity

1951

 

No Highway in the Sky (1951)

No Highway in the Sky

7.1

Rosie - Barmaid (uncredited)

1951

 

Laurence Harvey and Kathleen Byron in Scarlet Thread (1951)

Scarlet Thread

5.5

Maggie

1951

 

Ray Milland and Patricia Roc in Circle of Danger (1951)

Circle of Danger

6.5

Bubbles Fitzgerald

1951

 

The Quiet Woman (1951)

The Quiet Woman

6.0

Elsie

1951

 

Files from Scotland Yard

5.0

Minnie Robinson

1951

 

Something in the City (1950)

Something in the City

6.1

Waitress

1950

 

Dinah Sheridan and Hugh Sinclair in No Trace (1950)

No Trace

6.2

Maisie

1950

 

Yolande Donlan and John McCallum in Traveller's Joy (1950)

Traveller's Joy

5.7

Eva

1950

 

Dirk Bogarde and Peggy Evans in The Blue Lamp (1950)

The Blue Lamp

6.8

Maisie

1950

 

The Cure for Love (1949)

The Cure for Love

7.6

Jenny Jenkins

1949

 

The Interrupted Journey (1949)

The Interrupted Journey

6.7

Waitress

1949

 

Don't Ever Leave Me (1949)

Don't Ever Leave Me

6.5

Beautician (uncredited)

1949

 

Adam and Evalyn (1949)

Adam and Evalyn

6.2

Blonde Sales Assistant (uncredited)

1949

 

Richard Greene in Now Barabbas (1949)

Now Barabbas

6.6

Winnie

1949

 

Philippa Gill, Stanley Holloway, Nigel Patrick, Patricia Roc, and Anita Sharp-Bolster in The Perfect Woman (1949)

The Perfect Woman

5.9

Model in shop

1949

 

Once Upon a Dream (1949)

Once Upon a Dream

5.8

Barmaid

1949

 

No Room at the Inn (1948)

No Room at the Inn

6.7

Spiv's Girlfriend (uncredited)

1948

 

Michèle Morgan, Sonia Dresdel, Bobby Henrey, and Ralph Richardson in The Fallen Idol (1948)

The Fallen Idol

7.6

Rose

1948

 

James Mason and Kathleen Ryan in Odd Man Out (1947)

Odd Man Out

7.6

Girl in Telephone Kiosk (uncredited)

1947

 

Soundtrack

A Taste of Honey (1961)

A Taste of Honey

7.4

performer: "Because He Loves Me" (uncredited)

1961