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Sheila Hancock
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Sheila Hancock

Sheila Hancock was born on the Isle of Wight, Hancock attended Dartford County Grammar School and The Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London. She joined Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, and has since appeared in over forty films and television shows. Feature film credits include: Cary on Leo (1964), and Three Men and a Little Lady. In 1978 she appeared on the West End stage as Miss Hannigan in the original London cast of the musical hit Annie (1990). Since October 2006, she had been playing the role of Fraulein Schneider in the West End revival of the hit musical Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre. In 2007, Hancock won an Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Cabaret. She was awarded an OBE in 1974.

Hancock's television credits include: Have I Got News For You, Room 101, Doctor Who, Call My Bluff and EastEnders, in which she played Barbara Owen. In 2006 she played the character of Junie Taylor, who was the sister of the well known character ‘Joannie Nan Taylor, from The Catherine Tate Show. On radio, she has also made numerous appearances in Just a Minute from the 1960's onward. Hancock was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2002 for her stellar performance in The Russian Bride, and again in 2003 for her role in the TV series Bedtime.

Hancock was married to actor Alec Ross from 1954 until his death in 1971. In 1973 she married actor John Thaw, who died in 2002. Her bestselling biography The Two of Us: My Life with John Thaw, was published in 2004.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2008.

Sheila Hancock Facts

OccupationActress
BirthdayFebruary 22, 1933 (91)
SignPisces
BirthplaceIsle of Wight, England, United Kingdom
Height5' 8" (1m73)  How tall is Sheila Hancock compared to you?

Selected Filmography

Not available.