Hilary Dwyer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hilary Dwyer
Dwyer in 2009
Born	(1945-05-06)6 May 1945 Liverpool, England
Died	30 March 2020(2020-03-30) (aged 74)
Other names	Hilary Heath
Occupation	Actress, businessperson, film producer, addiction counsellor
Years active	1965–2014
Spouse(s)	Duncan Heath ​ ​ (m. 1974; div. 1989)​
Children	2

Hilary Dwyer (born May 6, 1945 – died March 30, 2020) was an English actress and film producer. She was also known by her married name, Hilary Heath. Hilary was famous for her acting in movies like Witchfinder General (1968). She also appeared in Wuthering Heights (1970).

Besides acting, Hilary became a successful film producer. She helped create a talent agency called Duncan Heath Associates. Later, she produced several films and TV shows.

Early Life and Education

Hilary Dwyer was born in Liverpool, England, on May 6, 1945. Her father, Frederick Dwyer, was a well-known surgeon. Hilary had one sister, Patricia.

From a young age, Hilary loved ballet and was a very good pianist. She even won a music scholarship to a school in North Wales. When she was 16, she went to a drama school in London. She trained in different theaters and performed on stage in Bristol.

Hilary Dwyer's Acting Career

Hilary Dwyer became well-known for her roles in several scary movies. These films were released in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Her first big movie was Witchfinder General (1968).

Vincent Price

In Witchfinder General, she played a character named Sara Lowes. People praised her acting, calling it "sensitive" and "intelligent." Hilary said she didn't realize how important her role was at the time. She enjoyed working with the director, Michael Reeves.

Hilary also acted in other films with the famous actor Vincent Price. These included The Oblong Box (1969) and Cry of the Banshee (1970). She often played different family roles with Price. She once joked, "I adored Vincent...I played his mistress, his daughter and his wife."

Her last movie role was in Cry of the Banshee. She also appeared in many TV shows. Some of these were The Prisoner, The Avengers, and Space: 1999.

Hilary also had a successful career on stage. In 1970, she performed in plays like The Importance of Being Earnest. Later, in 1978, she acted in the play Whose Life Is It Anyway? in London.

Starting a Business and Family Life

In 1973, Hilary helped start a talent agency. It was called Duncan Heath Associates. She worked with Duncan Heath, who later became her husband. She worked very hard to get the business going.

Hilary and Duncan Heath got married in 1974. They had two children, a daughter named Laura and a son named Daniel. Their talent agency became very successful. It was later bought by a larger company called ICM Partners. Hilary and Duncan divorced in 1989. However, they remained good friends throughout their lives.

Hilary Heath's Producing Work

After her acting career, Hilary started working as a producer. She used her married name, Hilary Heath, for this work. In 1988, she won an award for a TV movie called The Worst Witch.

As a producer, she helped make several feature films. These included Criminal Law (1988) and An Awfully Big Adventure (1995). That movie starred famous actors like Hugh Grant and Alan Rickman. She also helped produce Nil by Mouth (1997).

Hilary also produced TV versions of classic stories. She worked on Rebecca (1997) and The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (2003). Her last producing job was the TV miniseries Jamaica Inn in 2014.

People who worked with Hilary said she was very good at her job. They said she was determined and always found a way to get things done.

Later Life and Legacy

Hilary Dwyer passed away on March 30, 2020, at the age of 74. She died from problems related to COVID-19. Because of the health crisis, her funeral was very small. Only her daughter Laura and the vicar were there.

Hilary is remembered by her two children, Laura and Daniel. Her daughter, Laura Heath, started an animal foundation in Barbados. Her son, Daniel Heath, is a film composer in Los Angeles. He writes songs for many artists.

Filmography

Hilary Dwyer appeared in many films and TV shows. Here are some of her notable works:

Feature Films

Television Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Hilary Dwyer para niños