Maria Charles
| Maria Charles | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Maria Zena Schneider 22 September 1929 London, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Spouse(s) |
Robin Hunter (m.–1966, divorced) |
| Children | The production manager Samantha Hunter and the actress Kelly Hunter |
Maria Charles (born 22 September 1929) is an English film, television and stage actress, director and comedian. She is probably best known for her TV performance as the overbearing mother in the ITV sitcom Agony. Charles has also appeared on the stage in original West End productions including musicals by Stephen Sondheim, Charles Strouse and Sandy Wilson.
Charles was born in London as Maria Zena Schneider. She is the daughter of David and Celia Schneider.
Maria Charles has had an exceptionally long acting career that spans nearly seven decades. She made her stage debut as the Dormouse in a 1945 production of Alice in Wonderland at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing and her West End theatre debut in the 'Pick up Girl' at the Prince of Wales Theatre in 1946. Maria appeared in the original London production of The Boy Friend as 'Dulcie' it ran for a total of 2,082 performances from (1954 to 1959). She played the part of 'Solange Lafitte' in the original West End production of Follies at the Shaftesbury Theatre by Stephen Sondheim. The show ran for 644 performances from 21 July 1987 to 4 February 1989 and starred Julia McKenzie, Daniel Massey and Eartha Kitt. She has worked extensively in theatre, TV and films and has carved a niche for herself on television playing clingy Jewish mothers. She appeared in the memorable BBC Play for Today anthology TV series which ran from (1970 to 1984) in the TV play the "Bar Mitzvah Boy" which won the BAFTA, British Academy Television Award for (best single play) in 1977 it was placed 56th in a BFI poll of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes of the 20th century, voted by industry professionals. She also played Maureen Lipman's character's mother in the ITV sitcom Agony from 1979 to 1981. In 1981 she starred in Nell Dunn's new comedy play, "Steaming" at the Comedy Theatre Stratford East, playing alongside Brenda Blethyn the production won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Comedy that year.
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