Ann Emery obit

Ann Emery, Original 'Grandma' in West End's BILLY ELLIOT, Passes Away

 

She was not on the list.

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that actress Ann Emery, who originated the role of 'Grandma' in the West End's Billy Elliot - THE MUSICAL, died today, September 28, 2016. She was 86.

Director Stephen Daldry shared the following statement on her passing:

"Ann Emery has been at the heart of the Billy Elliot family for over a decade. She created the role of Grandma over 11 years ago, and has been central to the lives of hundreds of children who performed with her.

"Her zest for life, professional experience and care for the often very young performers who she worked with was truly exceptional. She will be have a special place in all our hearts as an 'old pro', who never seemed old and never took the profession for granted.

"She was herself a child of the theatre, whose enthusiasm and joy was always apparent. Her first appearance at the Victoria palace was in the Crazy Gang in the 1930's. It was also where she gave her last much celebrated performance in Billy Elliot.

"She will be remembered fondly, and today deeply missed. What a treat it was to have known her." - Stephen Daldry

Aside from having worked with all 39 of London's 'Billy Elliots', Emery starred in the West End as 'Mother Dear' in BETTY BLUE EYES, 'Mrs. Hopkins' in MY FAIR LADY and 'Hortense' in MARTIN GUERRE.

Her extensive theatre credits include HARD TIMES at the Theatre Royal Haymarket and CATS at the New London Theatre. Emery's first stage role as in BABES IN THE WOOD at the King's Theatre, Hammersmith.

She is also well known for her role as 'Ethel Meaker' in the BCC children's TV show RENTAGHOST. Among Emery's other TV credits are JULIA JEKYLL AND HARRIET HYDE and RADIO ROO, as well as a guest appearance on the comedy THE DICK EMERY SHOW.

 

Actress

Billy Elliot (2014)

Billy Elliot

8.4

Video

Grandma

2014

 

Wednesday (2007)

Wednesday

6.4

Short

Nan

2007

 

Miami 7 (1999)

Miami 7

6.2

TV Series

Cleaner

1999

1 episode

 

Julia Jekyll and Harriet Hyde (1995)

Julia Jekyll and Harriet Hyde

7.5

TV Series

Mrs. Rocket

1995–1998

17 episodes

 

Colin Blumenau, Nula Conwell, Peter Ellis, Trudie Goodwin, Jon Iles, Gary Olsen, Eric Richard, John Salthouse, Tony Scannell, Jeff Stewart, and Mark Wingett in The Bill (1984)

The Bill

6.7

TV Series

Middle Aged Lady

1987

1 episode

 

Rentaghost (1976)

Rentaghost

6.9

TV Series

Ethel MeakerMrs. Meaker

1976–1984

47 episodes

 

Aladdin and the Forty Thieves (1984)

Aladdin and the Forty Thieves

7.7

TV Movie

The Empress

1984

 

The Deceivers

TV Series

Various

1981

1 episode

 

Dick Emery in The Dick Emery Show (1963)

The Dick Emery Show

6.8

TV Series

Joan

1969–1976

9 episodes

 

Without Love

TV Movie

Dancer

1956

 

Choreography

New

Rentaghost (1976)

Rentaghost

6.9

TV Series

choreography

1982

1 episode

 

Soundtrack

Aladdin and the Forty Thieves (1984)

Aladdin and the Forty Thieves

7.7

TV Movie

performer: "Tomorrow" (excerpt), "And This Is My Beloved" (uncredited)

1984

 

Rentaghost (1976)

Rentaghost

6.9

TV Series

performer: "Tangerine" (uncredited)

1980

1 episode

 

Thanks

Heroes of Comedy (1992)

Heroes of Comedy

6.6

TV Series

special thanks (as Anne Emery)

2002

1 episode

 

Self

The Unforgettable Dick Emery

TV Movie

Self - Half Sister and Actress

2012

 

Breakfast (2000)

Breakfast

5.2

TV Series

Self

2010

1 episode

 

Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh (1998)

Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh

8.7

TV Special

Self

1998

 

On Safari (1982)

On Safari

7.4

TV Series

Self

1984

1 episode

 

The Black and White Minstrel Show (1958)

The Black and White Minstrel Show

5.4

TV Series

Self

1970

1 episode

 

The 6:25 Show

TV Series

Self - Performer

1963

1 episode