Freddie Ross Hancock

Freda "Freddie" Ross Hancock MBE (born Freda Ross, 7 April 1930) is a British-born, New York-based entertainment industry marketing consultant and the founder of the East Coast branch of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Ross started her career in the British entertainment industry as a publicist and/or agent for some of Britain's leading entertainers of the 1950s and 1960s. Initially she focused on comedic performers such as Benny Hill, Harry H. Corbett,Dick Emery, Bob Monkhouse, Terry Scott, Hugh Lloyd, Sheila Hancock and Tony Hancock. She represented Tony Hancock from 1954 onwards, helping guide him to his greatest public and critical successes on radio and television. The couple started their romantic relationship in 1957 and after the comedian divorced his first wife, they married in December 1965. However, their marriage was affected by Tony Hancock's drinking and self-destructive traits.

Unable to save Tony Hancock from his chronic alcoholism, she filed for divorce in 1968. His personal and professional life spiraling downwards, Tony Hancock committed suicide while working in Australia in June 1968 before the divorce was finalised.

She was in demand for her services and was also engaged to promote films and stage shows. Clients included Universal-International (the then UK arm of Universal Pictures) - which hired her to promote Shelley Winters, Rock Hudson, Piper Laurie among many - and the Coral Leisure Group.

Other entertainers, actors, musicians, writers, sports personalities and celebrities who engaged Hancock while she worked in the UK include Sophia Loren, Carlo Ponti, Julie Andrews, Theo Bikel, Topol, Billie Whitelaw, Jim Dale, Keith Waterhouse, Willis Hall, Ted Heath, Ray Martin, Norrie Paramor, Eddie Calvert, Rose Brennan, Janie Marden, Gerry and the Pacemakers, racing driver Stirling Moss, Wimbledon champion Angela Buxton, and Australian golfer Peter Thomson.

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