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In 1979, Brown starred as Thatcher on the comedy album ''Iron Lady: The Coming of the Leader'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.discogs.com/Janet-Brown-Iron-Lady-The-Coming-Of-The-Leader/release/2703094 | title=Janet Brown (3) – Iron Lady – The Coming Of The Leader (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs | publisher=Discogs.com | access-date=9 June 2012}}</ref> written by ''[[Private Eye]]'' satirist [[John Wells (satirist)|John Wells]] and produced by ''[[The Secret Policeman's Balls|Secret Policeman's Ball]]'' series co-creator/producer [[Martin Lewis (humorist)|Martin Lewis]] and ''[[Not the Nine O'Clock News]]'' series co-creator/producer [[John Lloyd (writer)|John Lloyd]].<ref>Brown, Janet. ''Prime Mimickery'' Robson Books, 1986, p. 115</ref>  The largely spoken 'song' "Iron Lady" was released as a single, and Brown promoted it on ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' as a new release, but it did not chart.
In 1979, Brown starred as Thatcher on the comedy album ''Iron Lady: The Coming of the Leader'',<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.discogs.com/Janet-Brown-Iron-Lady-The-Coming-Of-The-Leader/release/2703094 | title=Janet Brown (3) – Iron Lady – The Coming Of The Leader (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs | publisher=Discogs.com | access-date=9 June 2012}}</ref> written by ''[[Private Eye]]'' satirist [[John Wells (satirist)|John Wells]] and produced by ''[[The Secret Policeman's Balls|Secret Policeman's Ball]]'' series co-creator/producer [[Martin Lewis (humorist)|Martin Lewis]] and ''[[Not the Nine O'Clock News]]'' series co-creator/producer [[John Lloyd (writer)|John Lloyd]].<ref>Brown, Janet. ''Prime Mimickery'' Robson Books, 1986, p. 115</ref>  The largely spoken 'song' "Iron Lady" was released as a single, and Brown promoted it on ''[[Top of the Pops]]'' as a new release, but it did not chart.


She was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (UK TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1980 when she was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}
She was the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (UK TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1980 when she was surprised by [[Eamonn Andrews]].


During the 1970s and 1980s, she was occasionally confused by some with fellow actress and comedienne [[Faith Brown]] because they had the same surname and were both best remembered for their Margaret Thatcher impersonations. In 1990, she recorded a spoken-word sequence in her Margaret Thatcher voice for [[Mike Oldfield]]'s album ''[[Amarok (Mike Oldfield album)|Amarok]]''. Still acting in her eighties, her last role was as Old Lady Squeamish on the London [[West End theatre|West End]] stage in a production of [[William Wycherley|Wycherley]]'s ''[[The Country Wife]]'' at the [[Theatre Royal Haymarket]], which opened in September 2007.
During the 1970s and 1980s, she was occasionally confused by some with fellow actress and comedienne [[Faith Brown]] because they had the same surname and were both best remembered for their Margaret Thatcher impersonations. In 1990, she recorded a spoken-word sequence in her Margaret Thatcher voice for [[Mike Oldfield]]'s album ''[[Amarok (Mike Oldfield album)|Amarok]]''. Still acting in her eighties, her last role was as Old Lady Squeamish on the London [[West End theatre|West End]] stage in a production of [[William Wycherley|Wycherley]]'s ''[[The Country Wife]]'' at the [[Theatre Royal Haymarket]], which opened in September 2007.

Latest revision as of 17:21, 12 February 2023

Janet Brown
JanetBrown.jpg
Born
Janet McLuckie Brown

(1923-12-14)14 December 1923
Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland
Died27 May 2011(2011-05-27) (aged 87)
Hove, East Sussex, England
Occupation(s)Actress, comedian, impressionist
Years active1946–2009[1]
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1946; died 1979)​
ChildrenTyler Butterworth (born 1959)
Emma Butterworth (1962–1996) (deceased)

Janet McLuckie Brown (14 December 1923 – 27 May 2011) was a Scottish actress, comedian and impressionist who gained considerable fame in the 1970s and 1980s for her impersonations of Margaret Thatcher.[1] Brown was the wife of Peter Butterworth, who was best known for his appearances in the Carry On films. Butterworth died in 1979 and Brown never remarried.

Career

Brown was born in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, and educated at Rutherglen Academy.[1]

During World War II, Brown enlisted in the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and was the first female performer to take part in Stars in Battledress.[2]

She entered British film as an actress in 1948, notably in Folly to Be Wise (1952), and then appeared in several British television series, such as The Eric Barker Half-Hour (1952), How Do You View? (1952-1953) and Friends and Neighbours (1954).

Margaret Thatcher impersonations

Beginning with Margaret Thatcher's election as the leader of the Conservative Party in 1975, Brown gained increasing prominence because of her realistic impression of the Tory politician. She performed as Thatcher on BBC TV's Mike Yarwood Show, on BBC Radio's The News Huddlines, and on film in the 1981 James Bond film, For Your Eyes Only.[3]

In 1979, Brown starred as Thatcher on the comedy album Iron Lady: The Coming of the Leader,[4] written by Private Eye satirist John Wells and produced by Secret Policeman's Ball series co-creator/producer Martin Lewis and Not the Nine O'Clock News series co-creator/producer John Lloyd.[5] The largely spoken 'song' "Iron Lady" was released as a single, and Brown promoted it on Top of the Pops as a new release, but it did not chart.

She was the subject of This Is Your Life in 1980 when she was surprised by Eamonn Andrews.

During the 1970s and 1980s, she was occasionally confused by some with fellow actress and comedienne Faith Brown because they had the same surname and were both best remembered for their Margaret Thatcher impersonations. In 1990, she recorded a spoken-word sequence in her Margaret Thatcher voice for Mike Oldfield's album Amarok. Still acting in her eighties, her last role was as Old Lady Squeamish on the London West End stage in a production of Wycherley's The Country Wife at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, which opened in September 2007.

She entitled her 1986 autobiography Prime Mimicker.[6]

She is mentioned in the context of her impressions in the final ever episode of Open All Hours.[7]

Personal life

Brown was married to Carry On actor Peter Butterworth from 1946 until his death in 1979.[1][8] The two appeared alongside each other in the television comedy series How Do You View? (1947–53), written by and starring Terry-Thomas. The also appeared together in the 1972 film, Bless This House.

The couple had two children, a son, actor Tyler Butterworth (born 1959), and a daughter, Emma, who died in 1996, aged 34.[8]

Brown never remarried, spending the rest of her life in Hove until her death following a brief illness in a nursing home in May 2011, aged 87.[8][9] She is buried alongside her husband Peter Butterworth in Danehill Cemetery, in East Sussex.[10]

Filmography

Title Year Role Notes
Floodtide 1949 Rosie
A Ray of Sunshine: An Irresponsible Medley of Song and Dance 1950 Self - Impressionist
Folly to Be Wise 1953 Jessie Killegrew
A Home of Your Own 1964
Hey Boy! Hey Girl 1967
The Adding Machine 1969 Fat Woman
My Lover, My Son 1970 Mrs. Woods
Bless This House 1972 Annie Hobbs
Wombling Free 1977 Womble Voice
For Your Eyes Only 1981 Margaret Thatcher, The Prime Minister
Summer Solstice 2005 Mrs. Armstrong
Underground Ernie 2006 Victoria Voice
Zorro and Scarlet Whip Revealed! 2010 Mrs. McAlistair Voice, (final film role)

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Janet Brown". www.telegraph.co.uk.
  2. ^ p. 86 Merriman, Andy Greasepaint & Cordite Aurum Press 21 March 2013
  3. ^ Smith, Kenny (2011-05-31). "Tributes paid to Rutherglen Bond girl Janet". Daily Record. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
  4. ^ "Janet Brown (3) – Iron Lady – The Coming Of The Leader (Vinyl, LP) at Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  5. ^ Brown, Janet. Prime Mimickery Robson Books, 1986, p. 115
  6. ^ Prime Mimicker: Amazon.co.uk: Janet Brown: Books. ASIN 0860512479.
  7. ^ Open All Hours, season four, episode six, The Mystical Boudoir of Nurse Gladys Emmanuel, written by Roy Clarke and directed by Sydney Lotterby. Produced by Lotterby for the BBC, and first broadcast on Sunday October 6, 1985
  8. ^ a b c "'Margaret Thatcher' actress Janet Brown dies". www.telegraph.co.uk.
  9. ^ "Actress Janet Brown dies aged 87". bbc.co.uk. 27 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  10. ^ "Find A Grave Memorial". Findagrave.com. Retrieved 2012-06-09.

External links

Retrieved from "https://www.thegoonshow.co.uk/wiki/index.php?title=Janet_Brown&oldid=37319"