Anna Karen

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Anna Karen
Anna Karen.jpg
Karen in 2009
Born
Ann Harrison McCall

(1936-09-19)19 September 1936
Durban, South Africa
Died22 February 2022(2022-02-22) (aged 85)
London, England
Resting placeGolders Green crematorium
Alma materLondon School of Dramatic Art
OccupationActress
Years active1959–2017
Television
Spouse(s)
Richard Smart
​
​
(m. 1957, divorced)​

​
​
(m. 1967; died 2008)​

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 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 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[1][2] to John and Muriel McCall (née Harrison). Her Irish father was an accountant while her mother was English.[3] 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.[4]

Advised to move away, Karen moved to London at the age of 17.[5] She shared a room with two other girls in a girls' hostel in Paddington and enrolled at the London School of Dramatic Art.[6][7] 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.[8]

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) and had a small role as Carol White's neighbour in Ken Loach's kitchen sink drama film Poor Cow (1967).[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]

During the production of Wild, Wild Women, Karen was approached by 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.[12] 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".[2]

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.[13] By this time, On the Buses, produced by LWT, had become a huge success leading Karen to reprise her role in a spin-off 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 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.[14] 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 and 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.[15]

After On the Buses ended, Karen returned to theatre in 1974 and toured as Minnie in Who Goes Bare? and in Not Now as Miss Tipdale with Ian Lavender.[16] 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.[17] 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 The Kenneth Williams Show and The Dick Emery Show.[18]

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.[19] She also made a cameo appearance in the sex-comedy film What's Up Nurse! (1977).[20] 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.[21] 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, 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.[22] Alongside EastEnders, in the late 1990s, Karen appeared in a number of educational films as well as an episode of 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. In 2008, she was a guest on the Channel 4's Sunday Night Project, again with Barbara Windsor.[23]

Karen was also a regular in pantomimes over the years, and played the Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella at the Millfield Theatre, in Edmonton, London, at Christmas 2008.[24]

In 2014, Karen had a role in an episode of 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.[25][26]

Karen regularly appeared at fan conventions until at least 2019.[27][28]

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.[3]

Karen was married to actor/comedian Terry Duggan from 1967 until his death in 2008 and lived in w:Ilfordw:, East London. Although Karen had no children of her own, she brought up Gloria, Duggan's daughter from his first marriage.[29]

Karen was best friends with Dame Barbara Windsor, having met her during the filming of Carry On Camping.[30] Windsor reportedly left Karen £1,000 in her will.

Karen regularly taught drama on Saturday mornings at Brewers Academy, based in Hornchurch, East London.[31]

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.[32] 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.[33]

Death

Shortly after 22:30 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.[34][5][35] The cause of the fire is currently, as of August 2022, under investigation, though the Metropolitan Police said it did not appear to be suspicious.[29]

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, Jamie Borthwick, Peter Dean, Linda Lusardi, Kate Williams and Vicki Michelle.[36]

Filmography

Film

Years Title Role Notes
1961 Nudist Memories Anne Uncredited[37]
1965 He Who Rides a Tiger Extra
1966 The Sandwich Man Lady with dog
1967 Poor Cow Neighbour [37]
1969 Lock Up Your Daughters! Extra Uncredited[37]
Carry On Camping Schoolgirl [37]
1970 Carry On Loving Wife [37]
1971 On the Buses Olive Rudge [37]
1972 Mutiny on the Buses [37]
Top Gear Mrs Redway [37]
1973 Holiday on the Buses Olive Rudge [37]
1977 What's Up Nurse! Knitter [37]
1996 Beautiful Thing Marlene [37]
1998 Cash in Hand Unknown [37]
2001 Possessions Fanny Gapp [37]
2005 Together Alone Mrs Golding [37]
2008 Flick Rita Ray [37]
2016 No Reasons Yvonne [37]

Television

Years Title Role Notes
1966 Isadora Duncan Extra TV film[37]
1967 The Wednesday Play Extra Episode: "Profile of a Gentleman"
1968 Life with Cooper Various Episode: "In Pictures"[37]
1969 Wild, Wild Women Maude Main cast; all 6 episodes[37]
1969 Rembrandt Peasant TV film[37]
1969–1973 On the Buses Olive Rudge Main cast; all 74 episodes[37]
1970 Dixon of Dock Green Housewife Episode: "Waste Land"[37]
1975 Comedy Premiere Rita Wilkins Episode: "Milk-O"[37]
1976 ...And Mother Makes Five Mrs Hitchin Episode: "None So Blind"[37]
1976 The Kenneth Williams Show Jury Member Episode: #2.1[37]
1976 Rainbow Anna Episode: "Food: Potatoes"[37]
1977 The Dick Emery Show Various Episode: #16.8[37]
1977–1978 The Rag Trade Olive Butler (Rudge) Main cast; all 22 episodes[37]
1981 Stainless Steel and the Star Spies Mary TV film[37]
1985–1986 Troubles and Strife Rosita Pearman Main cast; all 12 episodes[37]
1986 Roland Rat: The Series Maureen McConkey Main cast; 14 episodes[37]
1987 The Sooty Show Mrs Woodhead Episode: "Computer Dating"[37]
1987 Super Gran Commander S. Obvious Episode: "Chisleton Street Blues"[37]
1996–1997,
2001–2004,
2007–2011,
2013–2017		 EastEnders Aunt Sal Recurring role, 57 episodes[37]
1998 Goodnight Sweetheart Mrs Hardcore Episode: "Have You Ever Seen a Dream Walking?"[37]
1999 Boyz Unlimited Nigel's Mum Episode: #1.5[37]
2002 The Bill Margie Connell 2 episodes[37]
2004 Revolver Julie Episode: #1.4[37]
2004 The Second Quest Sally TV film[37]
2005 The Golden Hour Rita Philips Episode: #1.1[37]
2014 Doctors Renee Gossman Episode: "Small Favours"[37]
2016 Nearly New Joan TV pilot[37]

References

  1. ^ Ellacott, Nigel (11 September 2021). "SPOTLIGHT ON ANNA KAREN". It's Behind You.
  2. ^ a b Fisher, Tex (2011). I 'Ate You Butler! - The Making of On the Buses. Deck Chair Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9565634-1-5.
  3. ^ a b Hayward, Anthony (23 February 2022). "Anna Karen obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  4. ^ Deane Potter, John (23 October 1971). "The Beauty Inside A Fat Girl". TV Times. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Anna Karen: On the Buses and EastEnders actress dies at 85". BBC News. 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  6. ^ Byrne, Dymphna (19 December 1978). "Anna's Jolly Bus Ride to Success". The Birmingham Post. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
  7. ^ "Anna Karen, actress who played the put-upon Olive in On the Buses and Peggy Mitchell's sister in EastEnders – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 23 February 2022.
  8. ^ Watt, Poppy (12 December 2011). "Anna Karen: Still On the Buses". Women Talking. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
  9. ^ "Poor Cow – Cast & Crew on MUBI". mubi.com.
  10. ^ "Ciaran Brown meets actress Anna Karen". www.ciaranbrown.com.
  11. ^ "Wild, Wild Women - BBC1 Sitcom". British Comedy Guide.
  12. ^ McLoughlin, Bill (23 February 2022). "EastEnders actress Anna Karen dies aged 85 in east London house fire". www.standard.co.uk.
  13. ^ "Anna Karen". BFI.
  14. ^ "Mutiny On The Buses Cast and Crew Credits". British Comedy Guide.
  15. ^ "Anna Karen". IMDb.
  16. ^ "ANNA KAREN IAN LAVENDER in NOT NOW, DARLING, A comedy by RAY COONEY and JOHN CHAPMAN". Coventry Evening Telegraph. 18 January 1974. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
  17. ^ "Milk-O - ITV Sitcom". British Comedy Guide.
  18. ^ "The Kenneth Williams Show". www.bbc.co.uk.
  19. ^ "The Rag Trade Cast and Crew Credite". British Comedy Guide.
  20. ^ "What's Up Nurse Cast and Crew Credits". British Comedy Guide.
  21. ^ "Stainless Steel and Star Spies (1981)". BFI.
  22. ^ "EastEnders spoilers: Aunt Sal to frighten Claudette Hubbard when she returns to the Square". Digital Spy. 17 November 2015.
  23. ^ "SPOTLIGHT ON ANNA KAREN". 11 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Christmas pantos" (PDF). Our Enfield. p. 34. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2008. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  25. ^ Whelan, Zara (5 June 2017). "On The Buses stars ride into North Wales this weekend to celebrate 40 years of the show". North Wales Live.
  26. ^ Whelan, Zara (4 October 2017). "Remember Olive from On the Buses? You won't believe what she looks like now". North Wales Live.
  27. ^ Freshwater, Paige (8 April 2019). "Comic Con returning to Cleethorpes this Easter - and you can meet Doctor Who stars". Grimsby Telegraph.
  28. ^ Blade, Michelle (24 April 2019). "Morecambe Comic Con comes to The Platform". Lancaster Guardian.
  29. ^ a b Harrison, Ellie (23 February 2022). "Anna Karen death: On the Buses and EastEnders star dies in house fire, aged 85". The Independent. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  30. ^ Windsor, Barbara (2000). All of Me: My Extraordinary Life. Headline Book Publishing. p. 165. ISBN 978-0-7472-7007-2.
  31. ^ "Anna Karen". womantalking.co.uk. 12 December 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  32. ^ Nair, Ajay (28 January 2016). "Ilford actress' broken back agony: EastEnders' Aunt Sal left to sleep on sofa". Ilford Recorder. Archant Community Media Ltd. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  33. ^ "Dame Barbara Windsor's funeral held with 'Queen Peggy' tribute". [[w:BBC News|]]. 8 January 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  34. ^ Ambrose, Tom (23 February 2022). "EastEnders and On the Buses star Anna Karen dies in London house fire". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  35. ^ "Anna Karen, Actress, Dies at 85 in Fire at Ilford Home". The Guardian. February 23, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2022.
  36. ^ Hill, Rose (18 March 2022). "Casts of EastEnders, Corrie and 'Allo 'Allo! attend funeral of TV legend Anna Karen". The Daily Mirror.
  37. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap "Anna Karen - Filmography". British Comedy Guide.

External links

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