Gemma Craven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gemma Craven
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| Born |
Rita Gemma Gabriel
1 June 1950 Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland
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| Occupation | Actress, singer, musician |
| Years active | 1972–2012 |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Awards | Society of West End Theatre Award for Best Actress in a Musical 1980 They're Playing Our Song |
Rita Gemma Craven (born 1 June 1950) is an Irish actress who is now retired. She is well-known for playing Cinderella in the movie The Slipper and the Rose (1976). She also played Joan Parker in the BBC TV drama Pennies From Heaven (1978).
Contents
About Gemma Craven
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Gemma Craven's family moved from Dublin, Ireland, to Britain in 1960. She went to school at St Bernard's High School, Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex.
Her big break came when she was cast as Cinderella in the film The Slipper and the Rose (1976). She starred alongside Richard Chamberlain. Producers discovered her while she was performing at the Bristol Old Vic theatre. She was not a famous actress at the time.
Stage Performances
Gemma Craven has had a successful career in London's West End. She starred with Tom Conti in the musical They're Playing Our Song. For this role, she won a Laurence Olivier Award. This award was known as the Society of West End Theatre Awards (SWET) back then.
She also played the main role in the musical South Pacific. Later, she appeared in Noël Coward's play Private Lives. She toured with this play in 1991 and 1992. She also played Josie in Boy George's musical Taboo. She can be heard singing "Independent Woman" on the musical's original cast recording.
Television Roles
Gemma Craven appeared in the original TV version of Dennis Potter's Pennies From Heaven (1978). She played Joan Parker, the wife of Arthur, who was played by Bob Hoskins.
She also made guest appearances on several popular TV shows. These include Robin of Sherwood (1985) and The Bill. She was also on The Morecambe and Wise Show and The Two Ronnies. She appeared in an episode of Father Ted called "And God Created Woman". She also guest-starred in the British drama Midsomer Murders. In that show, she played Judy Hicks in the episode "Shot at Dawn".
In 1982, she co-starred in the British TV version of East Lynne. She also appeared on the BBC TV show The Good Old Days. This show featured old-time music hall performances.
In 2008, Craven appeared in Hollyoaks Later. She played Erin "Ma" Fisher, who was the mother of Malachy, Kris, and Bernadette.
Film and Radio Work
Gemma Craven's most important film role was as Minna Planer. She starred opposite Richard Burton, who played Richard Wagner, in the 1983 film Wagner.
She also appeared in other films. These include Why Not Stay for Breakfast? (1979) and Double X: The Name of the Game (1992). Her other film roles were in The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1993) and Words Upon the Window Pane (1994). She also appeared in The Hole (2001).
On the radio, she played Helen in the BBC Radio 4 comedy Clare in the Community. She also appeared on Irish television in the medical drama series The Clinic. This show was broadcast weekly on RTÉ One.
Personal Life
Gemma Craven was married to actor Frazer Hines from 1981 to 1984. She later married financier David Beamish from 1990 to 1996.
