Ruth Cracknell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ruth Cracknell (AM)
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| Born |
Ruth Winifred Cracknell
6 July 1925 Maitland, New South Wales, Australia
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| Died | 13 May 2002 (aged 76) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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| Occupation | Actress, author, comedienne |
| Years active | 1946–2002 |
| Spouse(s) | Eric Phillips† (3 children) |
Ruth Winifred Cracknell (AM) was a much-loved Australian actress and author. She was born on July 6, 1925, and passed away on May 13, 2002. Ruth had a long career, lasting about 56 years. She was famous for playing many different characters. You could see her in funny shows and serious dramas. She worked in radio, on stage, on television, and in movies.
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Ruth Cracknell's Early Life
Ruth Cracknell was born in 1925 in a town called Maitland, New South Wales. Her parents were Charles and Winifred Cracknell. When Ruth was four, her family moved to the city of Sydney. She went to North Sydney Girls High School. After finishing school, she worked as a clerk at the Ku-ring-gai Council.
When she was 17, a friend took her to see a play. Ruth loved it so much that she decided she wanted to be an actress. She then joined a drama school called the Modern Theatre Players.
Ruth Cracknell's Amazing Career
Starting in Radio and Theatre
Ruth Cracknell's first acting jobs were on the radio. By 1946, she was acting in five radio plays every week! She also performed on stage in Sydney. She worked with theatre groups like the Independent Theatre and the Mercury Theatre.
In 1948, she joined the John Alden Company. She played roles in famous plays like King Lear and The Tempest. When she was 27, in 1952, she moved to London. She worked there for two years to gain more experience.
Becoming a TV Star
Ruth Cracknell appeared in many TV shows and movies made for television. One of her first TV roles was in a drama called Reflections in Dark Glasses in 1960. She also starred in the award-winning show Seven Little Australians in 1973. This show was based on a classic Australian children's book.
In the mid to late 1960s, she was a friendly host on the children's TV series Play School. Later, in the 1980s, she made guest appearances in the popular show A Country Practice.
Her Most Famous Role: Mother and Son
Ruth Cracknell is best known for her role in the ABC TV series Mother and Son. This comedy show was written by Geoffrey Atherden. He based the story on his own family experiences.
Mother and Son first aired on January 16, 1984. It ran for six seasons over more than ten years and is still often shown again. Ruth played an older woman named Maggie Beare. Maggie was slowly losing her memory. Her kind younger son, Arthur (Garry McDonald), looked after her. Maggie often treated him badly but also depended on him. She would sometimes play tricks on him and her other son, Robert (Henri Szeps), and his wife, Liz (Judy Morris).
Acting in Movies
Ruth Cracknell also had roles in several films. She appeared with Chips Rafferty in the 1958 movie Smiley Gets a Gun. Other films include The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978) and The Night the Prowler (1978). In 1983, she played Margaret Whitlam in The Dismissal. Later, in 1996, she starred with Toni Collette in Lilian's Story. In this film, she played a unique Sydney character named Beatrice Miles.
Working with Theatre Companies
Ruth Cracknell acted for most of Australia's big theatre companies. She often performed with the Sydney Theatre Company. She played many different parts. These included Elaine in Emerald City (1987) and Grandma Kurnitz in Lost in Yonkers (1992).
Her most famous stage role was Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. This play was so popular that it ran for a long time, from 1988 to 1992. The ABC even showed it on TV. Ruth was also a supporter of the Australian Theatre for Young People.
Ruth Cracknell's Personal Life
Ruth Cracknell married Eric Phillips on June 25, 1957. They had three children: Anna, Jane, and Jonathan. Unlike many women at that time, Ruth did not stop acting after she got married and had children. She continued her successful career. You can even see pictures from her wedding and of her with her son in the opening credits of Mother and Son.
Ruth Cracknell as an Author
In 1997, Ruth Cracknell wrote her autobiography, A Biased Memoir. An autobiography is a book about your own life. This book became a best-seller in Australia.
In 2000, she published another book called Journey from Venice. This book told the story of a difficult time. She and her husband, Eric Phillips, were visiting Venice when he had a stroke. A stroke is a serious medical event that can affect the brain. Ruth didn't speak Italian, but she had to arrange medical help for him. She also had to get him back to Australia, which was very hard. Eric later passed away in a Sydney hospital.
Ruth Cracknell's Passing
Ruth Cracknell died on May 13, 2002. She was 76 years old. She passed away from a breathing illness in a nursing home in Sydney. Her children had just visited her. A film called The Scree, released in 2004, featured Ruth Cracknell's voice as the narrator.
Honours and Awards for Ruth Cracknell
Special Honours
In 1980, Ruth Cracknell was given a special honour. She was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). This award recognizes people who have done great things for Australia. In 1998, the National Trust of Australia named her one of "100 National Living Treasures." This title is given to people who are considered very important to Australia's culture and history.
University Awards
Ruth Cracknell received special honorary doctorates from two universities. These were the University of Sydney and the Queensland University of Technology. An honorary doctorate is a degree given to someone to honour their achievements, even if they didn't study at that university.
In 2001, she received the JC Williamson Award. This award celebrates a person's lifetime of work in live theatre.
Logie Awards
In 2001, Ruth Cracknell was given the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame award. This award is for people who have made a huge impact on Australian television. Her appearance at this ceremony was the last time she was seen publicly before she passed away. She was the first woman to be given this special award.
Here are some of the Logie Awards she won:
- 1993: Most Outstanding Actress
- 1994: Most Outstanding Actress
- 1994: Most Popular Comedy Personality
- 2001: TV Week Logie Hall of Fame
ARIA Awards
In 1992, Ruth Cracknell was nominated for an ARIA Award for Best Children's Album. This was for her work on Paul Gallico's The Snow Goose.
