About Barbara Keogh
Lived 1929 – 2005 (aged 76). Barbara Keogh was a British actor.
Barbara Keogh (21 April 1929 – 25 October 2005) was a British actress. Keogh is most noted for her work on television, particularly her role as Lilly Mattock on the BBC soap opera EastEnders.
Early life and career Keogh was born on 21 April 1929 in Bucklow, Cheshire, as Barbara Winifred Keogh, to father Joseph Lowe Keogh and mother Winifred Hamson. Her mother died in 1946 and father in 1996. She trained at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama, before going on to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Keogh acted alongside John Osborne and Ronnie Barker at Kidderminster Repertory Theatre before touring with Bill Kerr in a production of The Teahouse of the August Moon.
Television career Keogh made her television debut in 1958 as Mrs Pemberton in Champion Road, and continued to be a regular on television until her death. She had roles on programmes including Dixon of Dock Green, Z Cars, The Sweeney and The Newcomers. She also appeared alongside Judi Dench in On Giant’s Shoulders.
She continued to work in television, making appearances in Juliet Bravo, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries, Heartbeat, Game On, My Family and Casualty. One of Keogh's last television roles was playing Marjorie Dawes' mother in the comedy series Little Britain.
Keogh continued to work until her sudden death from coronary artery disease on 25 October 2005, aged 76.
Filmography Mike Bassett: Manager as Margaret (2005) .357 Old Woman (2005) Bloodlines as Soho Bartender (2005) Little Britain as Mrs. Dawes (2003–2005), Mrs. Craig (2004), various other roles (2005) Ready When You Are Mr. McGill as Mrs. Danby (2003) The Secret as Maureen (2002) Tough Love as Lady Mayoress (2000) EastEnders as Lilly Mattock (1998–1999) Lost in France as Gran (1998) Bramwell as Landlady (1998) The Grimleys as Nan Grimley (1997–1999) Jane Eyre as Miss Abbot (1997) Coronation Street as Landlady (1996) Brazen Hussies as Ruby (1996) The Ghostbusters of East Finchley as Thelma Thane (1995) Princess Caraboo as Mrs. Wilberforce (1994) Heartbeat as Edith Gillet (1993) Dead Romantic as Mrs. Rankin (1992) Murder Being Once Done as Mrs. Foster (1991) God on the Rocks as Nurse Booth (1990) One Last Chance as Agatha (1990) Making Out as Sally (1989) Open All Hours as Mrs. Ellis (1976) Public Eye as Gladys Mottram (1973) The Abominable Dr. Phibes as Mrs. Frawley (1971) Softly, Softly as Eva Nevin (1968)
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Barbara Keogh's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Barbara Keogh's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Barbara Keogh?
British actress (1929-2005)
When was Barbara Keogh born?
Barbara Keogh was born on 21 April 1929 in Cheshire.
When did Barbara Keogh die?
Barbara Keogh died on 25 October 2005 in London Borough of Camden.
What was Barbara Keogh's occupation?
Barbara Keogh was an actor.
What nationality was Barbara Keogh?
Barbara Keogh was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Barbara Keogh. https://biography.guide/barbara-keogh/
MLA: "Barbara Keogh." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/barbara-keogh/.
Chicago: "Barbara Keogh." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/barbara-keogh/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:26 UTC