Marjie Lawrence

Marjie Lawrence (21 January 1932 – 16 June 2010) was an English theatre, film and television actress. She spoke the first words uttered on ITV.

Early life Born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, Lawrence undertook weekend acting classes from age 12 at the Birmingham Theatre School. After completing her schooling, she was accepted to be trained at the Birmingham School of Speech & Drama on a three-year undergraduate course.

Film and TV career By 1972, Lawrence had given birth to the couple's three children, and was returning to work across theatre, film and television. Through her working relationship with Peter Sellers and Eric Sykes, she had the same agent and worked regularly from then until her death in 2010. Her works included: Film: After the Ball (1957), Only Two Can Play (1962), Design for Loving (1962), A Place to Go (1963), The Early Bird (1965), Stranger in the House (1967), Inspector Clouseau (1968), Tell Me Lies (1968), Carry On Henry (1971), Hands of the Ripper (1971), I, Monster (1971), Bless This House (1972), The Squeeze (1977), Shiner (2000) Television drama: The Sweeney (1974) The Rainbow (1988) Television comedy: The Benny Hill Show, The Arthur Haynes Show (with Eric Sykes) Television series: Coronation Street, Crossroads, Danger UXB, Public Eye, Unnatural Causes, Weavers Green, Z-Cars Theatre: The Bed Sitting Room (Mermaid Theatre), The Three Sisters (Royal Court Theatre)

She had been ill since 2004 with rheumatoid arthritis, but managed to continue working, latterly appearing in a bed-bound role in the BBC soap opera Doctors.

Personal life Lawrence and Greene had three children: actress and television presenter Sarah; television presenter Laura; and businessman Robin.

After being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Lawrence died a few weeks later at a hospice in Surrey on 16 June 2010.

Her widower, Harry Greene, collapsed and died a few days after returning home in March 2013 from a holiday with his daughter, Sarah, and Sarah's husband, fellow presenter Mike Smith (d.2014).

Filmography