In the ever-changing world of show business, it takes a lot to stand out. Every year, new artists, singers, bands, and comedians appear on our screens, with increasingly flamboyant images and candid performances. The city of Liverpool has produced many stars, a great number of whom are remembered for their unique talent, with their work still celebrated today. Today, we’re talking about Elisabeth Sladen, the famous English actress best known for her role in the iconic British television series, Doctor Who. Read on to learn more about Elisabeth’s success story at liverpoolski.com.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Elisabeth was born in Liverpool in 1946. Even as a child, the future actress was a creative girl. She was drawn to performance and even danced in one production with the Royal Ballet. She attended Aigburth Vale High School for Girls.
Elisabeth also studied at the Elliott-Clarke drama school. In 1965, she made her first film appearance as an extra in Ferry Cross the Mersey. This was followed by a role in an open-air production of Much Ado About Nothing.
Her training at drama school paid off. Elisabeth began working at the Liverpool Playhouse repertory company as an assistant stage manager, which led to her first roles on the Playhouse stage. Notably, her very first part was playing a maid in Twelfth Night. The young actress then moved into weekly rep, which involved travelling around the country.
During this period, Sladen met the actor Brian Miller. In 1966, the couple moved to Manchester, and two years later, they were married.
Career Development
The Liverpool native began to take on a variety of roles. In 1969, she worked alongside her husband in a production of Alan Ayckbourn’s play How the Other Half Loves. In 1970, the play transferred to London, and the couple relocated accordingly. The capital opened up new opportunities for Sladen, and she began to get roles in television. Her first TV part was in a two-part story of Z-Cars, which was followed by roles in Doomwatch, Public Eye, Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, and Special Branch.
In 1973, Elisabeth auditioned for the series Doctor Who. Her talent shone through, and she was cast in a role that she would be associated with for many years. Viewers loved Sladen’s portrayal of Sarah Jane Smith, and the actress became a household name. She later reprised the role in specials such as The Five Doctors and the charity crossover Dimensions in Time.
It’s worth noting that the actress also starred in audio plays, including The Paradise of Death and The Ghosts of N-Space. Sladen also narrated original audio stories on CD for the spin-off series The Sarah Jane Adventures.
Personal Life
As mentioned above, the actress was married. In 1985, the couple had a daughter, and Elisabeth began to work less, dedicating more time to her family. However, the actress still made occasional television appearances to remain in the public eye. Fittingly, her daughter followed in her parents’ professional footsteps and also became an actress.
In November 2010, Elisabeth made her final public appearance at the EA British Academy Children’s Awards. Just a few months later, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In April 2011, the actress passed away at the age of 65.
This is the life story of the famous English actress Elisabeth Sladen. Her talent was impressive and inspiring, and British show business suffered a great loss with her passing. If not for her illness, Elisabeth could have continued to work, live, and motivate others for years to come.
We hope you found this article informative and learned something new about this famous figure from our city. Are you a fan of the series Doctor Who? Let us know in the comments on our social media channels.