Emmy-winning actress Jean Marsh has died at the age of 90 as her close friend Michael Lindsay-Hogg confirmed the sad news. She lived in London and died at her home
Jean Marsh, the beloved star of Upstairs, Downstairs, has sadly passed away at the age of 90 at her London home on Sunday. The Emmy-winning actress’s death was due to complications from dementia, according to her close friend Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
Between 1971 and 1975, Jean graced our screens in the much-loved series, earning herself seven Emmy awards, including an Outstanding Lead Actress accolade and a prestigious Peabody Award.
The show delved into the lives of the Bellamy family and their servants during the Edwardian era, set within the grand townhouse at 165 Eaton Place in Belgravia from 1903 to 1930. It also depicted the gradual decline of the British aristocracy.
Upstairs, Downstairs originated from an idea by Jean and Eileen Atkins for a comedy titled Behind the Green Baize Door. Initially centred around two housemaids, portrayed by Jean and Eileen, in a large Victorian-era house, the narrative soon expanded to include the upstairs family.
In the series, Jean took on the role of Rose Buck, the head parlour maid. Alongside her work on Upstairs, Downstairs, she co-created The House of Eliott, reports the Mirror.
Her filmography includes roles in Cleopatra, Frenzy, The Eagle Has Landed, The Changeling, Return to Oz and Willow.
She is also recognised for her three roles in the long-standing series Doctor Who, where she played Joan of England in The Crusade, returned as Sara Kingdom, companion to the First Doctor, and later portrayed a villain against the Seventh Doctor.
In the swinging 50s, Jean was a familiar face on both American and British telly, popping up in an episode of The Twilight Zone as a lifelike robot. She also starred alongside acting legends Laurence Olivier and Denholm Elliott in The Moon and Sixpence.
Jean tied the knot with Jon Pertwee, known for his role as the Third Doctor, back in 1955, but the marriage ended in 1960. The actress wasn’t short of high-profile romances, having been linked to Albert Finney, Kenneth Haigh, and film director Michael Lindsay-Hogg.
The talented star was even honoured with an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) gong in the 2012 Birthday Honours for her contributions to the world of drama.
Born Lyndsay Torren Marsh on July 1, 1934, in London, Jean once lifted the lid on her life and route into fame, as she told The Guardian: “If you were very working class in those days, you weren’t going to think of a career in science”.
“You either did a tap dance or you worked in Woolworth’s.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
