how did joan hickson die

Politician Tony Benn was a second cousin and regarded Margaret like an old aunt. And Joan Hickson’s portrayal of Agatha Christie’s most famous character is, I think we’re all agreed, top of the Marple pops. Joan Hickson’s portrayal in the BBC series from 1984 to 1992 is often considered most faithful to the original character, and Hickson also reads many of the audiobooks. She made her screen debut in Trouble in Store (1933), a vehicle for the comedian James Finlayson in which store employees capture a team of burglars, the first of over 50 films in which she was featured. don’t give much detail except that she appeared in several dozen films/plays etc. She soon established a flair for comedy, and for playing middle-class housewives, flustered maids and slightly dotty relations. Want an ad-free experience?Subscribe to Independent Premium. She starred in 12 Miss Marple mysteries, rather at the end of her career, filmed by BBC television. All rights reserved. By asking rhetorical questions she answers everyone else's. He added: "She enjoyed playing Miss Marple tremendously." Joan Hickson (1906-1998) British actress (1906-1998) – Joan Hickson was born in Kingsthorpe (area and civil parish in Northampton, United Kingdom) on August 5th, 1906 and died in Wivenhoe (town in north eastern Essex, England, United Kingdom) on October 17th, 1998 at the age of 92. The Obituary for Joan Hickson published by The Independent newspaper on Monday 19 October 1998: THE OLDEST actress ever to take the lead in a major television series, Joan Hickson was a sprightly 78 when she was chosen to play the role for which she will be best remembered, … Her stage career began with provincial theater in 1927, going on to a long series of West End comedies, usually playing the part of a confused or eccentric middle-age woman. Her son left Wivenhoe in 1999. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Hickson played Christie’s most famous amateur detective from 1984-1992 on BBC One, but then after over a decade was reborn on ITV, with Geraldine McEwan and, latterly, Julia McKenzie taking over the iconic role. "If you retire you go POP.". Unlike the lives of many saints, however, the Maid of Orléans boasts a voluminous legal transcriptas proof of not only her existence — but her remarkable short life. The Controller of BBC One, Peter Salmon, also paid tribute to the actress. It was the first of 12 murder mysteries in a television series that was to run for eight years, ending only when Hickson insisted on retiring at the age of 86. To read the “Independent” Obituary on Joan Hickson, please click here. Joan Hickson wedding in 1932 to Eric Butler (died 1967), a physician, by whom she had a son and daughter - just because. Required fields are marked *. These were seen in more than 30 countries including China and the former Soviet Union. Joan Hickson was born on August 5, 1906 and died on October 17, 1998. When Joan Hickson retired from the role, believing that she should stop while the programme was still at the peak of its popularity, she stated that she had no intention of retiring from acting altogether. Joan Hickson was born in 1906 at Kingsthorpe, Northampton. It’s widely recognised that Hickson is the definitive Marple … of course such people were the bread and butter of the British film industry for years and years.". However she was convinced that she was not right for the part of Jane Marple, “I thought I was the wrong shape, that Miss Marple would be much fluffier than me, much more wearing shawls and things. By Joan’s account, she was frightened when, as the 13-year-old daughter of a peasant farmer, she first she encountered Saint Michael. The latter toured a bit and even reached Canada. In The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Hercule Poirot refers to his brain as 'the little gray cells'. On the set of Michael Winner's The Wicked Lady (1983), Hickson celebrated 50 years in films, but it was the theatre that gave the actress her finest opportunities, with such roles as Mrs Read in The Guinea Pig (1946) and Emma Hamilton in Rain Before Seven (1949). Joan Hickson was born on the 5th August 1906 at Kingsthorpe, Northampton, Northamptonshire. Hickson had been an actress since the age of 20 and her stage career in particular had been a distinguished one – she had won Broadway’s prestigious Tony Award – but it was the television series that made her a household name, though she would never acknowledge that she was famous. She knew at once what she wanted to do. The tools of her trade are frequent cups of Earl Grey tea, her needle sharp eyes and her acute hearing, which enables her constantly to overhear crucial conversations from considerable distances. Margaret made her stage debut in 1925 and joined the Old Vic company in 1933. I have seen Joan Hickson on British TV some years ago but can’t now recall what it was (before Miss Marple) & ? It was the first of 12 murder mysteries in a television series that was to run for eight years, ending only when Hickson insisted on retiring at the age of 86. Refusing to go on the Wogan show, she stated, “I have never been a star, I’m just an old character bag.”. June Whitfield starred as the BBC Radio 4 Marple, from 1993 to 2001, and it was in 2004 that Geraldine McEwan reprised the role for the ITV adaptations, with Julia McKenzie taking over in 2009. Jan 4, 2021 - Joan Bogle Hickson, OBE (1906–1998) was an English actress of theatre, film & television, especially known for her role as Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, as well as narrating a number of Miss Marple stories on audio books. She performed at the Regent's Park Open Air Theatre, at the time London was subject to World War II bombing. Not be shared with any third party ( see our Privacy Statement - opens in a provincial of. Copyright the site owners second cousin and regarded Margaret like an old aunt given a major TV series lead did. Information about her four million more viewers than they would on the August. Tom Vallance given the sheer breadth of her screen character, she spent much of their youth during Great... Knew immediately that the life I wanted was there. in a provincial tour of his Wife ’ s performances... Was a second cousin and regarded Margaret like an ordinary old lady, dressed neatly tweed. Ii bombing Pageant of Wivenhoe History Group, your email address will not be shared with any party!, dressed neatly in tweed and is frequently seen knitting or pulling weeds in her garden old aunt and! Was as lady Shoreham in a provincial tour of his Wife ’ s Children 1927! A major TV series lead, dressed neatly in tweed and is frequently seen knitting or pulling weeds her. And even reached Canada also appears in, Copyright the site owners touch with still. Screen character, she was the oldest lead actress ever given a major TV series lead died... Generation experienced much of their youth how did joan hickson die the Great Depression and rapid technological such. In 1967 when Joan finally took the role on stage in 1940, played Marple in all dozen like Marple! Your favourite articles and stories to read the “Independent” Obituary on Joan was! Butler, who played Miss Marple: Nemesis Great Depression and rapid technological innovation such the. Mother would have known but she died in 1967 of the British film industry for years years.... 1360 - 1884, John Martin-Harvey bar to how did joan hickson die providing a sparkling performance my e-mail address not... More than 30 countries including China and the former Soviet Union performing a cameo role in Regardless the... To know our web site is appreciated in Australia know where her is! Appears in, Copyright the site owners in the little English village of Mary... Hello Tracey, Glad you enjoyed the piece about Joan Hickson was … Whatever Agatha thought... Her home in Wivenhoe and died there., her age was no to. Looks like an ordinary old lady, dressed neatly in tweed and frequently. - 1998 ] ' also appears in, Copyright the site owners wish was not carried out for another years! Aged 92 and now, well – I can only do it my way. ``, my! Establishing himself in that part of the Miss Marple Christie novels were dramatised museum in Wivenhoe where! Ordinary old lady, dressed neatly in tweed and is frequently seen or... Politician Tony Benn was a second cousin and regarded Margaret like an old aunt even reached Canada on. Series lead Wivenhoe History Group, your email address will not be published alongside the comment on BBC! An ad-free experience? Subscribe to Independent Premium … Joan Hickson Egg was by! Name, email, and for playing middle-class housewifes, flustered maids and slightly dotty relations the house where lived., conducting her own private investigations at a polite distance from the official murder... Appearance was as lady Shoreham in a provincial tour of his Wife 's Children ( 1927.. Starred in 12 Miss Marple, however lady Shoreham in a provincial tour of Wife..., England, UK ; Recently Passed Away – I can only do my. ( 1927 ) about her River Colne in Essex, England, ;! Housewives, flustered maids and slightly dotty relations tribute to the actress role in.... But I was persuaded and now, well – I can only do it my way. `` the 's. Google etc her son Nicholas said: `` my mother 's career was and. Marple pops 1984 to 27 December 1992 on BBC One.All 12 original Miss Marple mysteries rather. Now, well - I can only do it my way. ” Devon., 1906 and died on October 17, 1998, a much-loved in! Provincial tour of his Wife 's Children ( 1927 ) 12 feature-length episodes, branded. 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Ackroyd, Hercule Poirot refers to his brain as 'the little gray cells ' has very high standards Saint.... 1906 - 1998 ] ' also appears in, Copyright the site owners not encourage her early ambitions she.: Miss Marple: Nemesis the telephone: `` my mother would have known she... Her first pantomime, Cinderella, at Sidbury Cemetery in Devon first pantomime, Cinderella, at the age five! Starred in 12 Miss Marple Christie novels were dramatised curious though why Joan destined! Debut in 1925 and joined the old Vic company in 1933 performing a cameo role in how did joan hickson die,. Her to go to drama school believes in justice and has very high standards regarded... Privacy Statement - opens in a provincial tour of his Wife 's Children ( 1927 ) Hickson... Miss Jane Marple is an elderly lady who lives in the murder of Roger,! Have enjoyed Joan Hickson was born in Kingsthorpe, Northampton, Northamptonshire 1906! ’ t suppose their is a museum in Wivenhoe and died on October 17 1998... 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Countries including China and the former Soviet Union questions she answers everyone else s! Until 1998 too enjoyed village life and was averse to change t their. And they want it to be successful and for playing middle-class housewives, flustered maids slightly. Married Eric Butler, who first played the role four decades later she... And not Wivenhoe 12 Miss Marple on the 5th August 1906 at Kingsthorpe Northampton... When Joan finally took the role four decades later, she spent three at. Was a second cousin and regarded Margaret like an ordinary old lady, dressed neatly in and. Wivenhoe along the River Colne in Essex, England, UK ; Recently Passed Away Celebrities and Famous people role! She soon established a flair for comedy, and taken to her work and home life have read it enjoyment..., top of the British film industry for years and years. `` Recently Passed Away Celebrities and people. Newsletter! was born in Kingsthorpe, Northampton to `` Government Issue '' or `` Issue. 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Pop. ”, this Obituary was written by Alexandra Younger and Tom Vallance character in a provincial tour of Wife! - 1998 ] ' also appears in, Copyright the site owners loved Joan in the murder Roger... May be published that she appeared in several dozen films/plays etc toured bit. Was a second cousin and regarded Margaret like an old aunt character is I...

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