Mona Hammond facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mona Hammond
|
|
|---|---|
Hammond as Blossom Jackson in EastEnders
|
|
| Born |
Mavis Chin
1 January 1931 Tweedside, Clarendon Parish, British Jamaica
|
| Died | 4 July 2022 (aged 91) |
| Other names | Mona Chin |
| Alma mater | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1964–2016 |
| Spouse(s) |
Michael Sanders
(m. 1965; div. 1971)John Pedler
(m. 1973; div. 1987) |
| Children | 1 |
Mona Hammond OBE (born Mavis Chin; 1 January 1931 – 4 July 2022) was a famous Jamaican-British actress. She also helped start the Talawa Theatre Company.
Mona was born in Tweedside, Jamaica. She moved to the United Kingdom in 1959 and lived there for the rest of her life. She had a long and amazing career on stage and TV. Many people remember her as Blossom Jackson from the popular BBC show EastEnders.
Mona Hammond was given an OBE award in 2005. This award recognized her great work in drama. In 2018, she won a Lifetime Achievement Award. This was for her long theatre career and for supporting Black British actors.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Mona Hammond was born Mavis Chin on January 23, 1931. Her birthplace was Tweedside in Clarendon Parish, Jamaica. Her father was of Chinese background, and her mother was Afro-Jamaican.
In 1959, she moved to the United Kingdom. She received a scholarship from Jamaica to study there. Mona first worked for an architecture firm. Later, she took evening classes in London. She then won another scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). She finished her studies there in 1964.
Acting Career
Mona Hammond started her acting journey on stage. She appeared in early TV shows like Softly, Softly in 1968. In 1970, she played Lady Macbeth in a play. This was her first main role. She also spent two years at the Royal National Theatre. There, she acted in plays like The Crucible.
Talawa Theatre Company
In 1985, Mona Hammond helped create the Talawa Theatre Company. She started it with Yvonne Brewster, Inigo Espejel, and Carmen Munroe. This company became one of the UK's most important Black theatre groups.
Talawa Theatre Company has created many award-winning plays. These plays often tell stories about people of African descent. The company also helps new Black British actors. Mona performed in several of their shows.
TV Roles
Mona Hammond appeared in many British TV shows. She was in ITV's Coronation Street twice. She played different characters in 1988.
In 1994, she joined the cast of EastEnders. She played the character of Blossom Jackson. She stayed on the show until 1997. Before this, she had a small part in EastEnders in 1986. She also acted in the BBC radio show The Archers.
Mona was also known for her roles in TV comedies. She played Susu in Desmond's from 1990 to 1994. She was also in its spin-off show Porkpie. Other comedy roles included Grandma Pinnock in Us Girls and Grandma Sylvie Headly in The Crouches.
In 1999, Mona played Nan in Pig-Heart Boy. This was a children's TV series based on a book. She also appeared in many other TV dramas. These included The Bill, Holby City, and Doctors. In 2006, she was in the Doctor Who episode "Rise of the Cybermen". She played Mickey Smith's grandmother.
Mona also acted in several films. These included Manderlay (2005) and Kinky Boots (2006). She was also in the movie 10,000 BC in 2008.
In October 2010, she returned to EastEnders briefly. She came back for a special storyline.
Awards and Recognition
Mona Hammond was honored with an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) award. She received this in 2005 for her contributions to drama in the UK.
In 2006, she won the Edric Connor Inspiration Award. This is a top honor from the Screen Nation Film and Television Awards. In 2018, she received the Women of the World Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognized her long career and her work with the Talawa Theatre Company.
Personal Life
Mona Hammond was married twice. She had one son named Michael. In her later years, she lived in Brinsworth House. This is a special retirement home for entertainers. In 2018, she met Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, during a royal visit there.
Mona Hammond passed away on July 4, 2022. She was 91 years old. She is survived by her son, Michael, and her granddaughter, Tallulah.
Film and TV Appearances
- Fords on Water (1983) – Winston's Mother
- Pure (2002) – Woman Customer
- The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004) – Ruth Attaway / Louise the Maid
- Manderlay (2005) – Old Wilma
- Doctor Who (2006) – Rita-Anne Smith
- Imagine Me & You (2005) – Mrs Edwards
- Kinky Boots (2005) – Pat
- 10,000 BC (2007) – Old Mother
- Burlesque Fairytales (2009) – Death's Wife
- Coriolanus (2011) – Jamaican Woman
- EastEnders (BBC soap opera) (1986, 1994–1997, 2010) – Midwife, Blossom Jackson
