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Last updated on the 26 March 2024 by Evandrus
Mini Biography
Born: 1 February 1946, Liverpool, England.
Elisabeth Sladen became famous for playing Sarah Jane Smith in the sci-fi series Doctor Who and its spin-offs. She was the only child of Tom and Gladys Sladen. She developed an interest in performing from a young age, taking ballet lessons and appearing in school plays. She attended the Elliott-Clarke Drama School and then joined the Liverpool Playhouse as an assistant stage manager. Her first film role was as an extra in Ferry Cross the Mersey in 1965.
Elisabeth Sladen moved to Manchester with her husband, actor Brian Miller, whom she married in 1968. She worked in various theatre and television productions, such as Othello, How the Other Half Loves, and Coronation Street.
In 1973, she auditioned for the role of Sarah Jane Smith, a journalist and companion of the Doctor, in Doctor Who. She was cast after impressing the producer and the lead actor, Jon Pertwee. She stayed on the show for three and a half seasons, working with both Pertwee and Tom Baker as the Doctor. She left the show in 1976, but reprised her role in several occasions, such as the 1981 spin-off K-9 and Company, the 1983 anniversary special The Five Doctors and the 1993 charity special Dimensions in Time.
Elisabeth Sladen continued to act in other television and radio shows, such as Gulliver in Lilliput, Take My Wife, and The Bill. She also wrote and presented a series of children’s programmes called Stepping Out. She semi-retired in the mid-1980s to raise her daughter, Sadie Miller, who was born in 1985. She returned to the public eye in the 2000s, when she was invited to appear in the revived Doctor Who series, alongside David Tennant as the Doctor. Her character was so popular that she was given her own spin-off series, The Sarah Jane Adventures, which ran from 2007 to 2011. She also made guest appearances in Doctor Who and provided voice-over commentaries and interviews for its DVD releases.
Elisabeth Sladen died of cancer on 19 April 2011, aged 65. She was widely mourned by her fans, colleagues and friends, who praised her as a talented and generous actress and a lovely person. She was posthumously awarded the 2012 National Television Award for Special Recognition for her contribution to television.
Suggested viewing
The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4 This spin-off of Doctor Who follows Sarah Jane, a former companion of the Doctor, as she tackles alien threats on Earth. Aided by her adopted son Luke and their tech-savvy friends, Sarah Jane investigates strange happenings, encountering alien creatures and sentient robots. Using her experience and ingenuity, she protects humanity from extraterrestrial dangers, all while keeping her adventures a secret from her neighbours. Top cast: Elisabeth Sladen, Tommy Knight, Alexander Armstrong, Daniel Anthony, Anjli Mohindra, Yasmin Paige, Joseph Millson, Mina Anwar, Ace Bhatti, Jimmy Vee, Bradley Walsh, Jane Asher, David Tennant, Nicholas Courtney, Katy Manning, Matt Smith. |
Doctor Who (1963)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.6 Sarah Jane, a curious journalist, stumbles upon a mysterious time traveller in his eccentric spaceship. Thrilled by adventure, she joins the Doctor on a whirlwind journey through time and space. Facing off against alien threats, robots and dangerous civilisations, they explore exotic planets and fight for justice across the universe. Top cast: Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee, David Tennant, Matt Smith, Nicholas Courtney, John Leeson, Elisabeth Sladen (S.11-12-13-14-20). |
Full filmography (@Wikipedia)
Elisabeth Sladen Gallery
https://youtu.be/LLAtQFIrJxo?si=01BOPCIGG6BfIKk8