Jean Marsh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jean Marsh
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Marsh in 2009
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| Born |
Jean Lyndsey Torren Marsh
1 July 1934 Stoke Newington, London, England
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| Died | 13 April 2025 (aged 90) London, England
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| Years active | 1953–2014 |
| Known for | Upstairs, Downstairs Doctor Who Willow |
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Jean Marsh (born 1 July 1934) was a talented English actress and writer. She is best known for helping to create and starring in the popular TV show Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975). In this series, she played the character of Rose Buck, a house parlourmaid. Her amazing performance earned her an Emmy Award in 1975. She even played Rose again in a newer version of the show from 2010 to 2012.
Jean Marsh also helped create another TV series called The House of Eliott in 1991. She appeared in many movies, including Cleopatra (1963), Frenzy (1972), and the fantasy film Willow (1988). Fans of Doctor Who might know her from her three different roles in the series. She was even married for a short time to Jon Pertwee, who played the Third Doctor!
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Jean Marsh was born on 1 July 1934. She grew up in Stoke Newington, a part of London, England. From a young age, she showed a passion for acting.
A Busy Acting Career
Jean Marsh had a very active career in both British and American television. In the 1950s and 1960s, she appeared in many shows. One notable role was in The Twilight Zone (1959), where she played a lifelike robot. She also appeared in The Wonderful World of Disney (1961) and several episodes of The Saint.
Adventures in Doctor Who
Jean Marsh was a familiar face to Doctor Who fans. She first appeared in 1965 as Lady Joanna in the story The Crusade. Later that same year, she returned as a companion named Sara Kingdom in a long adventure called The Daleks' Master Plan. She even came back to play Sara Kingdom in several audio plays years later. In 1989, she played a villain, Morgaine, in the Doctor Who story Battlefield.
Creating Upstairs, Downstairs
One of Jean Marsh's biggest achievements was co-creating Upstairs, Downstairs with Eileen Atkins. This British drama showed the lives of a wealthy family and their servants in a large London house. Jean Marsh played the beloved character of Rose Buck, a kind and loyal parlourmaid. The show was a huge success around the world and won many awards, including BAFTA Awards and Emmys. Jean Marsh herself won an Emmy for her role in 1975.
Other Television and Film Roles
After Upstairs, Downstairs, Jean Marsh continued to work on many projects. She and Eileen Atkins also created another successful TV series, The House of Eliott, which aired from 1991 to 1994. Jean Marsh wrote some of the episodes for this show.
Her film roles included playing Octavia the Younger in Cleopatra (1963) and a role in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller Frenzy (1972). She also appeared in fantasy films like Return to Oz (1985) and Willow (1988), where she played the evil Queen Bavmorda. From 1982 to 1983, she was a regular on the American sitcom 9 to 5.
Later Career and Revival of Upstairs, Downstairs
In the 2000s, Jean Marsh continued to act. She appeared in the TV series The Ghost Hunter and in stage plays. In 2010, Upstairs, Downstairs was brought back by the BBC! Jean Marsh returned to play Rose Buck, who was now running an agency for servants. She appeared in the first two series of the revival.
Life Beyond Acting
Jean Marsh was married to actor Jon Pertwee from 1955 to 1960. She also wrote several books, including Fiennders Abbey and The House of Eliott, which was based on the TV series she co-created.
In 2011, Jean Marsh had a minor stroke. This meant she appeared less in the second series of the Upstairs, Downstairs revival. Jean Marsh passed away on 13 April 2025, at the age of 90.
Awards and Recognition
For her great contributions to drama, Jean Marsh was honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2012. This is a special award given in the United Kingdom.
Selected Filmography
Jean Marsh appeared in many films throughout her career. Here are some of her notable roles:
- 1963: Cleopatra as Octavia the Younger
- 1970: Jane Eyre as Bertha Rochester
- 1972: Frenzy as Monica Barling
- 1976: The Eagle Has Landed as Joanna Grey
- 1980: The Changeling as Joanna Russell
- 1985: Return to Oz as Mombi/Nurse Wilson
- 1988: Willow as Queen Bavmorda
Selected Television Appearances
Jean Marsh had a long and varied career in television. Here are some of her key TV roles:
- 1959: The Twilight Zone (Episode: "The Lonely") as Alicia
- 1961: Danger Man as Kim Russell
- 1965: Doctor Who (Serial: The Crusade) as Joanna
- 1966: Doctor Who (Serial: The Daleks' Master Plan) as Sara Kingdom
- 1971–1975: Upstairs, Downstairs as Rose Buck (also co-creator)
- 1982–1983: 9 to 5 as Roz Keith
- 1989: Doctor Who (Serial: Battlefield) as Morgaine
- 1991–1994: The House of Eliott (co-creator)
- 2000–2001: The Ghost Hunter as Mrs. Croker
- 2010–2012: Upstairs Downstairs as Mrs. Rose Buck
Images for kids
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Marsh as Roz Keith in 9 to 5, 1982
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See also
In Spanish: Jean Marsh para niños
