Ben Gabriel

Early life Gabriel was born as James Vernon Gabriel His mother Ethel Florence McConnell, was born in Kent, England and was an actress and costume designer, who was professionally known as Ethel Gabriel (31 October 1888 – 23 May 1967) Ethel came to Australia in 1919 as a war bride and worked as an actress with the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, featuring in such productions as Ray Lawler's Summer of the Seventeenth Doll. and also toured in that production in the West End and on Broadway, she appeared also in the 1959 film adaptation. He officially changed his stage name to Ben Gabriel, a name he had always used on a personal basis.

Northside Theatre Company & AET Trust

Personal life and legacy In 1949, Gabriel married opera singer Rhonney Webber. Together they had one daughter, but soon divorced less than ten years later.

In 1969, he married actress and director Doreen Warburton (OBE), who was also born in London, England, but had emigrated to Australia in 1953 and was awarded the OBE in 1972.

Gabriel died on 25 April 2012, at the age of 94. His wife, his daughter Laura and son John survived him after his death.

Australian actor Noel Hodda, during his eulogy, described Ben Gabriel as "an old school actor – there to serve the writer, the story and the director and by doing that, serving the audience."