Anna Karen - Revision history

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	~~{{Short description\|South African-born British actress (1936–2022)}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2022}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Anna Karen		\| name = Anna Karen

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External links

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	==External links==		==External links==
	* {{IMDb name\|439162}}		* {{IMDb name\|439162}}

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Karen, Anna}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Karen, Anna}}
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	[[Category:English film actresses]]		[[Category:English film actresses]]
	[[Category:English television actresses]]		[[Category:English television actresses]]
	~~[[Category:Deaths from fire]]~~
	[[Category:Drama teachers]]		[[Category:Drama teachers]]
	[[Category:English soap opera actresses]]		[[Category:English soap opera actresses]]

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	==Death==		==Death==
	Shortly after 22:30 [[Greenwich Mean Time\|GMT]] on 22 February 2022, the [[London Fire Brigade]] responded to a fire at Karen's home, where she was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 85.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/23/eastenders-and-on-the-buses-star-anna-karen-dies-in-london-house-fire\|title=EastEnders and On the Buses star Anna Karen dies in London house fire\|last=Ambrose\|first=Tom\|work=[[The Guardian]]\|date=23 February 2022\|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref><ref name = BBC/><ref>{{cite news\| title=Anna Karen, Actress, Dies at 85 in Fire at Ilford Home\| url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/feb/23/anna-karen-obituary\| newspaper=[[The Guardian]]\| date=February 23, 2022\| access-date=February 25, 2022}}</ref> The cause of the fire is currently~~{{when\|date=~~August 2022}} under investigation, though the [[Metropolitan Police]] said it did not appear to be suspicious.<ref name = Harrison />		Shortly after 22:30 [[w:Greenwich Mean Time\|GMT]] on 22 February 2022, the [[w:London Fire Brigade\|London Fire Brigade]] responded to a fire at Karen's home, where she was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 85.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/23/eastenders-and-on-the-buses-star-anna-karen-dies-in-london-house-fire\|title=EastEnders and On the Buses star Anna Karen dies in London house fire\|last=Ambrose\|first=Tom\|work=[[The Guardian]]\|date=23 February 2022\|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref><ref name = BBC/><ref>{{cite news\| title=Anna Karen, Actress, Dies at 85 in Fire at Ilford Home\| url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/feb/23/anna-karen-obituary\| newspaper=[[The Guardian]]\| date=February 23, 2022\| access-date=February 25, 2022}}</ref> The cause of the fire is currently, as of August 2022, under investigation, though the [[w:Metropolitan Police\|Metropolitan Police]] said it did not appear to be suspicious.<ref name = Harrison />

	Karen's funeral took place on 18 March 2022 at [[Golders Green Crematorium]] and was attended by many of her co-stars, including [[John Altman (actor)\|John Altman]], [[Jamie Borthwick]], [[Peter Dean (actor)\|Peter Dean]], [[Linda Lusardi]], [[Kate Williams (actress)\|Kate Williams]] and [[Vicki Michelle]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/eastenders-cast-reunite-actress-anna-26505080\|title=Casts of EastEnders, Corrie and 'Allo 'Allo! attend funeral of TV legend Anna Karen\|last=Hill\|first=Rose\|publisher=The Daily Mirror\|date=18 March 2022}}</ref>		Karen's funeral took place on 18 March 2022 at [[w:Golders Green Crematorium\|Golders Green Crematorium]] and was attended by many of her co-stars, including [[w:John Altman (actor)\|John Altman]], [[w:Jamie Borthwick\|Jamie Borthwick]], [[w:Peter Dean (actor)\|Peter Dean]], [[w:Linda Lusardi\|Linda Lusardi]], [[w:Kate Williams (actress)\|Kate Williams]] and [[w:Vicki Michelle\|Vicki Michelle]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/eastenders-cast-reunite-actress-anna-26505080\|title=Casts of EastEnders, Corrie and 'Allo 'Allo! attend funeral of TV legend Anna Karen\|last=Hill\|first=Rose\|publisher=The Daily Mirror\|date=18 March 2022}}</ref>

	==Filmography==		==Filmography==

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{{Short description|South African-born British actress (1936–2022)}}
{{Distinguish|Anna Karen Morrow}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Anna Karen
| image = Anna Karen.jpg
| caption = Karen in 2009
| birth_name = Ann Harrison McCall
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1936|9|19|df=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Durban]], [[South Africa]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2022|2|22|1936|9|19|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[London]], England
| resting_place = [[Golders Green crematorium]]
| alma_mater = [[London School of Dramatic Art]]
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 1959–2017
| television = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[On the Buses]]''
* ''[[The Rag Trade]]''
* ''[[EastEnders]]''
}}
| spouse = {{Marriage|Richard Smart|1957|end=divorced}} <br> {{Marriage|[[Terry Duggan]]|1967|2008|end=died}}
}}

'''Ann Harrison McCall''' (19 September 1936 – 22 February 2022), professionally known as '''Anna Karen''', was a British actress best known for playing Olive Rudge in the [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] sitcom ''[[On the Buses]]'' from 1969 to 1973 including its film spin-offs and stage version and [[Aunt Sal]] in the [[BBC]] soap opera ''[[EastEnders]]'' on a recurring basis from 1996 to 2017. She also reprised the role of Olive Rudge in ''[[The Rag Trade]]'' from 1977 to 1978, while her film roles included parts in two ''[[Carry On (franchise)|Carry On]]'' films: ''[[Carry On Camping]]'' (1969) and ''[[Carry On Loving]]'' (1970).

==Early life==
Karen was born in [[Durban]], South Africa, on 19 September 1936 as Ann Harrison McCall<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ibygreenroom.wordpress.com/2021/09/11/spotlight-on-anna-karen/|title=SPOTLIGHT ON ANNA KAREN|first=Nigel|last=Ellacott|publisher=It's Behind You|date=11 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="making of"/> to John and Muriel McCall (née Harrison). Her Irish father was an accountant while her mother was English.<ref name="Guardian obituary">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/feb/23/anna-karen-obituary|title=Anna Karen obituary|last=Hayward|first=Anthony|publisher=The Guardian|date=23 February 2022|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> Karen developed an interest in acting at a young age, and joined the South African National Theatre at the age of fifteen. She starred in several touring productions over the next two years until she fell afoul of the [[apartheid]] laws as she visited the ill daughter of the black stage manager.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Deane Potter|first1=John|title=The Beauty Inside A Fat Girl|url=http://celebritywc.com/image-celebs/26733-anna-karen-5.jpg.html|website=TV Times|date=23 October 1971|access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref>

Advised to move away, Karen moved to London at the age of 17.<ref name = BBC>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-60490252|title=Anna Karen: On the Buses and EastEnders actress dies at 85|website=[[BBC News]]|date=23 February 2022|accessdate=23 February 2022}}</ref> She shared a room with two other girls in a girls' hostel in [[Paddington]] and enrolled at the [[London School of Dramatic Art]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Byrne|first1=Dymphna|title=Anna's Jolly Bus Ride to Success|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0002135/19781219/081/0006|publisher=The Birmingham Post|date=19 December 1978|access-date=18 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2022/02/23/anna-karen-actress-played-put-upon-olive-buses-peggy-mitchells/|title=Anna Karen, actress who played the put-upon Olive in On the Buses and Peggy Mitchell's sister in EastEnders – obituary|publisher=The Daily Telegraph|date=23 February 2022}}</ref> She began working as a kitchen porter, washing up at a local restaurant in the evenings to help pay for her rent and drama school fees, however she learnt that she could earn twice as much money if she worked as a [[striptease]] dancer at London's Panama Club, which she did.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Watt|first1=Poppy|title=Anna Karen: Still On the Buses|url=https://www.womentalking.co.uk/anna-karen-still-on-the-buses/|website=Women Talking|date=12 December 2011|access-date=1 March 2021}}</ref>

==Career==
Making her debut in the naturist film ''[[Nudist Memories]]'' (1961), Karen began her career as an extra in the comedy film ''[[The Sandwich Man (1966 film)|The Sandwich Man]]'' (1966) and had a small role as [[Carol White]]'s neighbour in [[Ken Loach]]'s kitchen sink drama film ''[[Poor Cow]]'' (1967).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mubi.com/films/poor-cow/cast|title=Poor Cow – Cast & Crew on MUBI|website=mubi.com}}</ref> She then had a role as a schoolgirl in ''[[Carry On Camping]]'' (1969) in which she has a fight with [[Barbara Windsor]] at the start of the film, although she can be clearly seen in later scenes, including the "bikini-flying" sequence; Karen and Windsor became good friends.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ciaranbrown.com/karen.html|title=Ciaran Brown meets actress Anna Karen|website=www.ciaranbrown.com}}</ref> Windsor's next acting job was in the [[BBC]] sitcom ''[[Wild, Wild Women]]''; Windsor encouraged Karen to audition for a role. Karen played the part of Maude in the series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/wild_wild_women/|title=Wild, Wild Women - BBC1 Sitcom|website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref>

During the production of ''Wild, Wild Women'', Karen was approached by [[Ronald Wolfe (screenwriter)|Ronald Wolfe]] and [[Ronald Chesney]]. Impressed with her performance, they offered her the role of Olive, the dowdy, overweight, bespectacled, sexually frustrated younger sister of Stan ([[Reg Varney]]), and wife of Arthur Rudge ([[Michael Robbins]]) in their forthcoming sitcom ''[[On the Buses]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/anna-karen-on-the-buses-eastenders-actress-house-fire-east-london-b984204.html|title=EastEnders actress Anna Karen dies aged 85 in east London house fire|first=Bill|last=McLoughlin|date=23 February 2022|website=www.standard.co.uk}}</ref> Karen played the part of Olive, the role for which she is best remembered, in all seventy-four episodes of the series. Karen, who was actually a model in her spare time, donned an unstylish wig, an unflattering pair of thick glasses and large amounts of padding to become Olive, whom Karen described as the "ugliest woman on television".<ref name="making of">{{cite book|title=I 'Ate You Butler! - The Making of On the Buses|last=Fisher|first=Tex|year=2011|publisher=Deck Chair Publishing|isbn=978-0-9565634-1-5}}</ref>

Karen maintained a successful acting career alongside ''On the Buses''. Shortly after the series began, she had a role in another ''Carry On'' film, ''[[Carry On Loving]]'' (1970) in the final "food fight" scene, and appeared in an episode of ''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba01a6777|title=Anna Karen|website=BFI}}</ref> By this time, ''On the Buses'', produced by [[London Weekend Television|LWT]], had become a huge success leading Karen to reprise her role in a spin-off film, ''[[On the Buses (film)|On the Buses]]'' (1971). This also was hugely popular and was the highest-grossing film of 1971, beating the James Bond film ''[[Diamonds Are Forever (film)|Diamonds Are Forever]]'' which was released the same year.

Two further spin-off films were made, ''[[Mutiny on the Buses]]'' (1972), and ''[[Holiday on the Buses]]'' (1973) with Stan working as a bus driver at a holiday camp in [[Prestatyn]], Wales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/film/mutiny_on_the_buses/cast_crew/|title=Mutiny On The Buses Cast and Crew Credits|website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref> By the time the third film was made, ''On the Buses'' had come to an end, having just broadcast its seventh series. Karen and co-stars [[Bob Grant (actor)|Bob Grant]] and [[Stephen Lewis (actor)|Stephen Lewis]] were the only members of the cast to appear in all seventy-four episodes of the series, as well as the three feature films.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0439162/|title=Anna Karen|website=IMDb}}</ref>

After ''On the Buses'' ended, Karen returned to theatre in 1974 and toured as Minnie in ''Who Goes Bare?'' and in ''[[Not Now, Darling]]'' as Miss Tipdale with [[Ian Lavender]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ANNA KAREN IAN LAVENDER in NOT NOW, DARLING, A comedy by RAY COONEY and JOHN CHAPMAN|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000769/19740118/243/0023|publisher=Coventry Evening Telegraph|date=18 January 1974|access-date=20 July 2021}}</ref> In 1975 however, Karen starred alongside her ''On the Buses'' co-star Bob Grant in a comedy pilot called "Milk-O" released under the ''[[Comedy Premiere]]'' series. Revolving around a milkman (played by Grant) trying to fend off amorous housewives, Karen played Rita Wilkins, the wife of Grant's character Jim.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/milk_o/|title=Milk-O - ITV Sitcom|website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref> The pilot was also written by Grant aiming to reinvigorate his declining career due to the typecasting he received from ''On the Buses'', however it was not commissioned for a series. After this, Karen had roles in the sitcom ''[[...And Mother Makes Five]]'' and in comedy sketch shows such as ''[[Kenneth Williams|The Kenneth Williams Show]]'' and ''[[The Dick Emery Show]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/thekennethwilliamsshow/|title=The Kenneth Williams Show|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

From 1977 to 1978, Karen reprised the role of Olive in the LWT revival of the sitcom ''[[The Rag Trade]]'' created by the same writers as ''On the Buses''. The series depicted a group of female workers in a clothes factory; Karen appeared in all twenty two episodes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/rag_trade/cast_crew/|title=The Rag Trade Cast and Crew Credite|website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref> She also made a cameo appearance in the sex-comedy film ''[[What's Up Nurse!]]'' (1977).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/film/whats_up_nurse/cast_crew/|title=What's Up Nurse Cast and Crew Credits|website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref> Much of Karen's work in the 1980s and 1990s consisted of roles in the theatre. In 1981, Karen had a main role in the sci-fi children's film ''Stainless Steel and the Star Spies'' about a group of robots intending to invade Earth to claim a crystal ball with extraterrestrial qualities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b771ad9c7|title=Stainless Steel and Star Spies (1981)|website=BFI}}</ref> From 1985 to 1986, Karen had a main role in the sitcom ''Troubles and Strife'' alongside [[Annette Badland]], however the series was not a success. She also appeared in several children's television series towards the late 1980s, including ''[[Roland Rat]]'' and ''[[The Sooty Show]]''.

In 1996, she played a supporting role in the film ''[[Beautiful Thing (film)|Beautiful Thing]]'', as a neighbour of the main characters, Ste and Jamie. That same year, she reunited with Barbara Windsor, this time in the BBC soap opera ''[[EastEnders]]''. Karen played [[Aunt Sal]], the sister of Windsor's [[Peggy Mitchell]]. Although she was never a permanent cast member in the soap, she appeared as Aunt Sal occasionally, usually for only one or two episodes at a time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/eastenders/a774321/eastenders-spoilers-aunt-sal-to-frighten-claudette-hubbard-when-she-returns-to-the-square/|title=EastEnders spoilers: Aunt Sal to frighten Claudette Hubbard when she returns to the Square|website=[[Digital Spy]]|date=17 November 2015}}</ref> Alongside ''EastEnders'', in the late 1990s, Karen appeared in a number of educational films as well as an episode of ''[[Goodnight Sweetheart (TV series)|Goodnight Sweetheart]]''.

In 2006, Karen used her experience as a striptease dancer to act as a judge in the final edition of [[Channel 4]]'s reality television documentary ''[[Faking It (UK TV series)|Faking It]]''. In 2008, she was a guest on the Channel 4's ''[[Sunday Night Project]]'', again with Barbara Windsor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ibygreenroom.wordpress.com/2021/09/11/spotlight-on-anna-karen/|title=SPOTLIGHT ON ANNA KAREN|date=11 September 2021}}</ref>

Karen was also a regular in [[pantomime]]s over the years, and played the [[Wicked Stepmother]] in ''[[Cinderella]]'' at the [[Millfield Theatre]], in [[Edmonton, London|Edmonton]], London, at Christmas 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.enfield.gov.uk/659/Our%20Enfield%20Dec%2008.pdf |publisher=Our Enfield |title=Christmas pantos |page=34 |access-date=9 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230121124/http://www.enfield.gov.uk/659/Our%20Enfield%20Dec%2008.pdf |archive-date=30 December 2008 }}</ref>

In 2014, Karen had a role in an episode of ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' while she later starred in the thriller film ''No Reasons'' (2016). In 2017, Karen and several other members of the cast of ''Holiday on the Buses'' returned to the holiday camp in Wales where the movie was filmed as part of a On the Buses Fan Club trip; this included revisiting filming locations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/buses-reunion-2017-pontins-13141000|title=On The Buses stars ride into North Wales this weekend to celebrate 40 years of the show|publisher=North Wales Live|last=Whelan|first=Zara|date=5 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/olive-on-the-buses-now-13717779|title=Remember Olive from On the Buses? You won't believe what she looks like now|publisher=North Wales Live|last=Whelan|first=Zara|date=4 October 2017}}</ref>

Karen regularly appeared at [[fan convention]]s until at least 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/cleethorpes-comic-con-2019-stars-2733692|title=Comic Con returning to Cleethorpes this Easter - and you can meet Doctor Who stars|publisher=Grimsby Telegraph|last=Freshwater|first=Paige|date=8 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/morecambe-comic-con-comes-platform-650987|title=Morecambe Comic Con comes to The Platform|last=Blade|first=Michelle|publisher=Lancaster Guardian|date=24 April 2019}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 1957, Karen married Richard Smart with whom she lived in [[Italy]] for several years while he trained to be an opera singer; however the pair divorced and Karen returned to England.<ref name="Guardian obituary"/>

Karen was married to actor/comedian [[Terry Duggan]] from 1967 until his death in 2008 and lived in [[Ilford]], East London. Although Karen had no children of her own, she brought up Gloria, Duggan's daughter from his first marriage.<ref name = Harrison>{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/anna-karen-death-fire-eastenders-b2021517.html|title = Anna Karen death: On the Buses and EastEnders star dies in house fire, aged 85|date = 23 February 2022|accessdate = 23 February 2022|work = [[The Independent]]|last = Harrison|first = Ellie}}</ref>

Karen was best friends with [[Barbara Windsor|Dame Barbara Windsor]], having met her during the filming of ''[[Carry On Camping]]''.<ref>{{cite book|title=All of Me: My Extraordinary Life|last=Windsor|first=Barbara|year=2000|publisher=Headline Book Publishing|isbn=978-0-7472-7007-2|page=165}}</ref> Windsor reportedly left Karen £1,000 in her will.

Karen regularly taught drama on Saturday mornings at Brewers Academy, based in [[Hornchurch]], East London.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.womentalking.co.uk/anna-karen-still-on-the-buses/|title=Anna Karen|website=womantalking.co.uk|date=12 December 2011|accessdate=23 February 2022}}</ref>

In January 2016, she had a fall at her home in Ilford and broke her back, leaving her sofa-bound for eight weeks to recover.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Nair|first1=Ajay|title=Ilford actress' broken back agony: EastEnders' Aunt Sal left to sleep on sofa|url=http://www.ilfordrecorder.co.uk/news/health/ilford-actress-broken-back-agony-eastenders-aunt-sal-left-to-sleep-on-sofa-1-4396565|website=Ilford Recorder|publisher=Archant Community Media Ltd|access-date=5 February 2018|date=28 January 2016}}</ref> She still filmed scenes for Peggy's death in ''EastEnders'' in March 2016 and again in May 2016; when the scenes were broadcast, she was seen with a walking frame. She was later seen in a wheelchair during her final scenes in ''EastEnders'' in January 2017 and also at Windsor's funeral in January 2021, which would be her final public appearance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55589987|title=Dame Barbara Windsor's funeral held with 'Queen Peggy' tribute|date=8 January 2021|website=[[BBC News]]|access-date=23 February 2022}}</ref>

==Death==
Shortly after 22:30 [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] on 22 February 2022, the [[London Fire Brigade]] responded to a fire at Karen's home, where she was pronounced dead at the scene. She was 85.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/feb/23/eastenders-and-on-the-buses-star-anna-karen-dies-in-london-house-fire|title=EastEnders and On the Buses star Anna Karen dies in London house fire|last=Ambrose|first=Tom|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=23 February 2022|access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref><ref name = BBC/><ref>{{cite news| title=Anna Karen, Actress, Dies at 85 in Fire at Ilford Home| url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/feb/23/anna-karen-obituary| newspaper=[[The Guardian]]| date=February 23, 2022| access-date=February 25, 2022}}</ref> The cause of the fire is currently{{when|date=August 2022}} under investigation, though the [[Metropolitan Police]] said it did not appear to be suspicious.<ref name = Harrison />

Karen's funeral took place on 18 March 2022 at [[Golders Green Crematorium]] and was attended by many of her co-stars, including [[John Altman (actor)|John Altman]], [[Jamie Borthwick]], [[Peter Dean (actor)|Peter Dean]], [[Linda Lusardi]], [[Kate Williams (actress)|Kate Williams]] and [[Vicki Michelle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/eastenders-cast-reunite-actress-anna-26505080|title=Casts of EastEnders, Corrie and 'Allo 'Allo! attend funeral of TV legend Anna Karen|last=Hill|first=Rose|publisher=The Daily Mirror|date=18 March 2022}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable"
! Years !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
|1961 ||''[[Nudist Memories]]'' || Anne || rowspan=3|Uncredited<ref name="film">{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/anna_karen/|title=Anna Karen - Filmography|website=British Comedy Guide}}</ref>
|-
|1965 || ''[[He Who Rides a Tiger]]'' || Extra
|-
|1966 || ''[[The Sandwich Man (1966 film)|The Sandwich Man]]'' || Lady with dog
|-
|1967 || ''[[Poor Cow]]'' || Neighbour || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|rowspan=2|1969 || ''[[Lock Up Your Daughters (1969 film)|Lock Up Your Daughters!]]'' || Extra || Uncredited<ref name="film"/>
|-
|''[[Carry On Camping]]'' || Schoolgirl || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|1970 || ''[[Carry On Loving]]'' || Wife || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|1971 || ''[[On the Buses (film)|On the Buses]]'' || rowspan=2|Olive Rudge || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|rowspan=2|1972 || ''[[Mutiny on the Buses]]'' || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|''Top Gear'' || Mrs Redway || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|1973 || ''[[Holiday on the Buses]]'' || Olive Rudge || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|1977 || ''[[What's Up Nurse!]]'' || Knitter || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|1996 || ''[[Beautiful Thing (film)|Beautiful Thing]]'' || Marlene || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|1998 || ''Cash in Hand'' || Unknown || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|2001 || ''Possessions'' || Fanny Gapp ||<ref name="film"/>
|-
|2005 || ''Together Alone'' || Mrs Golding || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|2008 || ''[[Flick (2008 film)|Flick]]'' || Rita Ray || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|2016 || ''No Reasons'' || Yvonne || <ref name="film"/>
|-
|}

===Television===

{| class="wikitable"
! Years !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
|1966 || ''[[Isadora Duncan, the Biggest Dancer in the World|Isadora Duncan]]'' || Extra || TV film<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1967 || ''[[The Wednesday Play]]'' || Extra || Episode: "Profile of a Gentleman"
|-
|1968 || ''[[Tommy Cooper|Life with Cooper]]'' || Various || Episode: "In Pictures"<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1969 || ''[[Wild, Wild Women]]'' || Maude || Main cast; all 6 episodes<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1969 || ''[[Rembrandt]]'' || Peasant || TV film<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1969–1973 || ''[[On the Buses]]'' || Olive Rudge || Main cast; all 74 episodes<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1970 || ''[[Dixon of Dock Green]]'' || Housewife || Episode: "Waste Land"<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1975 || ''[[Comedy Premiere]]'' || Rita Wilkins || Episode: "Milk-O"<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1976 || ''[[...And Mother Makes Five]]'' || Mrs Hitchin || Episode: "None So Blind"<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1976 || ''[[Kenneth Williams|The Kenneth Williams Show]]'' || Jury Member || Episode: #2.1<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1976 || ''[[Rainbow (TV series)|Rainbow]]'' || Anna || Episode: "Food: Potatoes"<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1977 || ''[[The Dick Emery Show]]'' || Various || Episode: #16.8<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1977–1978 || ''[[The Rag Trade]]'' || Olive Butler (Rudge)|| Main cast; all 22 episodes<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1981 || ''Stainless Steel and the Star Spies'' || Mary || TV film<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1985–1986 || ''Troubles and Strife'' || Rosita Pearman || Main cast; all 12 episodes<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1986 || ''[[Roland Rat|Roland Rat: The Series]]'' || Maureen McConkey || Main cast; 14 episodes<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1987 || ''[[The Sooty Show]]'' || Mrs Woodhead || Episode: "Computer Dating"<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1987 || ''[[Super Gran]]'' || Commander S. Obvious || Episode: "Chisleton Street Blues"<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1996–1997, <br> 2001–2004, <br> 2007–2011, <br> 2013–2017 || ''[[EastEnders]]'' || [[Aunt Sal]] || Recurring role, 57 episodes<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1998 || ''[[Goodnight Sweetheart (TV series)|Goodnight Sweetheart]]'' || Mrs Hardcore || Episode: "Have You Ever Seen a Dream Walking?"<ref name="film"/>
|-
|1999 || ''[[Boyz Unlimited]]'' || Nigel's Mum || Episode: #1.5<ref name="film"/>
|-
|2002 || ''[[The Bill]]'' || Margie Connell || 2 episodes<ref name="film"/>
|-
|2004 || ''Revolver'' || Julie || Episode: #1.4<ref name="film"/>
|-
|2004 || ''[[The Quest (British TV series)|The Second Quest]]'' || Sally || TV film<ref name="film"/>
|-
|2005 || ''[[The Golden Hour (TV series)|The Golden Hour]]'' || Rita Philips || Episode: #1.1<ref name="film"/>
|-
|2014 || ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' || Renee Gossman || Episode: "Small Favours"<ref name="film"/>
|-
|2016 || ''Nearly New'' || Joan || TV pilot<ref name="film"/>
|}

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{IMDb name|439162}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Karen, Anna}}
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century English actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century English actresses]]
[[Category:Actors from Durban]]
[[Category:English film actresses]]
[[Category:English television actresses]]
[[Category:Deaths from fire]]
[[Category:Drama teachers]]
[[Category:English soap opera actresses]]
[[Category:South African emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:English people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:South African people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:South African people of English descent]]