Carmen Silvera
| Carmen Silvera | |
|---|---|
Silvera as Edith Artois in 'Allo 'Allo!
|
|
| Born |
Carmen Blanche Silvera 2 June 1922 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Died | 3 August 2002 (aged 80) Denville Hall, Northwood, England |
| Cause of death | Lung Cancer |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1962–2001 |
| Spouse(s) |
John Cunliffe (1949-?) |
John Cunliffe (1949-?)
Carmen Dorothy Blanche Silvera (2 June 1922 – 3 August 2002) was a Canadian-born British comic actress of Spanish descent, who moved to Coventry, England, with her family when she was a child. She appeared on television regularly in the 1960s, and achieved critical acclaim in the 1980s as her starring role in British television programme, 'Allo 'Allo! as Edith Artois.
During World War II, Silvera was evacuated to Montreal and narrowly escaped death when, at the last minute, her name was taken off the passenger list of troopship SS Athenia that was sunk by the enemy shortly afterwards, drowning 350 children. In Canada, she took classes with the Ballets Russes and appeared in three of its productions. On her return to Britain, she felt called to acting and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, before gaining experience in repertory theatre.
Silvera first made her name as a television actress in the 1960s British police drama Z-Cars in 1962, going on to appear as Camilla Hope in the BBC soap opera Compact from 1964 to 1965. She played Mrs Van Schuyler in Lillie in 1978, ITV's drama series about the future Edward VII's mistress, Lillie Langtry.
She appeared twice in Doctor Who, in the serials The Celestial Toymaker as Clara the Clown, Mrs. Wiggs, and the Queen of Hearts, and as Ruth in Invasion of the Dinosaurs. In 1970 she appeared in the Dad's Army episode Mum's Army as Fiona Gray, the love-interest for Captain Mainwaring, a role especially written for her by David Croft.
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