Sheila Hancock facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dame Sheila Hancock DBE
Hancock in 2023
Born	Sheila Cameron Hancock (1933-02-22) 22 February 1933 (age 92) Blackgang, Isle of Wight, England
Alma mater	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation	Actress theatre director author panellist
Spouse(s)	Alec Ross ​ ​ (m. 1955; his death 1971)​ John Thaw ​ ​ (m. 1973; his death 2002)​
Children	2
Relatives	Abigail Thaw (stepdaughter)

Dame Sheila Cameron Hancock (born 22 February 1933) is a famous English actress, singer, and author. She has starred in many plays and musicals in London's theatre world. Her first show on Broadway in New York, Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1966), earned her a nomination for a Tony Award. This is a very important award for theatre.

Sheila Hancock won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for her part in Cabaret (2007). She was also nominated for this award five other times for her work in shows like Annie (1978) and Sweeney Todd (1980).

You might also know her from films and TV shows. Some of her well-known roles include Carry On Cleo (1964), The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008), and Edie (2017).

Early Life and Acting Training

Sheila Cameron Hancock was born on February 22, 1933, in Blackgang on the Isle of Wight, England. Her parents were Enrico Cameron Hancock and Ivy Louise. She had an older sister named Billie.

When Sheila was five, her family moved to Bexleyheath. She felt this new home was quieter than where they lived before. She attended several schools, including St Etheldreda's Convent. During World War II, she was moved to safer places like Wallingford, Oxfordshire and Crewkerne, Somerset. Later, she went to Dartford County Grammar School.

After finishing school, Sheila decided to become an actress. She studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), which is a famous acting school. She graduated in 1952 with a diploma in acting.

Theatre Performances and Directing

Sheila Hancock started her acting career in the 1950s. She performed in many different plays. Her first big role in London's West End was in 1958.

In 1965, she made her first appearance on Broadway in New York. She played Miss Hannigan in the London production of the musical Annie in 1978. Two years later, she played Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd. People said her performance was amazing.

Sheila has also worked with important theatre companies. She performed for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the National Theatre. She was also the first woman to direct a play for the RSC touring company. She directed A Midsummer Night's Dream. She was also the first woman to direct a play in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre.

In 2006, Sheila played Fräulein Schneider in the musical Cabaret in London. She won a Laurence Olivier Award for this role. In 2009, she spent over a year playing Mother Superior in Sister Act the Musical. She was nominated for another Olivier Award for this part.

More recently, she has starred in plays like Barking in Essex (2013), Grey Gardens (2016), and Harold and Maude (2018).

Television Roles and Documentaries

Sheila Hancock has had many roles on television. Her first big TV part was as Carole Taylor in the BBC comedy show The Rag Trade in the early 1960s. She also starred in other sitcoms like The Bed-Sit Girl and Mr Digby Darling.

She appeared in popular shows such as Doctor Who, EastEnders, and Bleak House. In 2009, she was in an episode of the BBC series Moving On.

Sheila has also hosted several documentaries. In 2010, she presented Suffragette City. This show told the story of the suffragette movement through objects from a museum. In 2011, she explored the history of watercolour painting in Sheila Hancock Brushes Up: The Art of Watercolours. In 2013, she presented a show about the famous writers, the Brontë Sisters.

In 2012, Sheila took part in a special Christmas episode of the dance show Strictly Come Dancing. From 2016 to 2019, she starred in the comedy-drama series Delicious. In 2017, she appeared in Endeavour alongside her stepdaughter, Abigail Thaw.

More recently, in 2020, she co-presented Great Canal Journeys with Gyles Brandreth. In 2021, she appeared in the fantasy drama A Discovery of Witches and the crime drama Unforgotten. In 2023, she played Liz Zettl in the BBC true-life crime series The Sixth Commandment.

Other Work and Activities

In 1963, Sheila Hancock released a funny song called "My Last Cigarette." It was about someone trying to quit smoking.

She has also worked a lot in radio. Since 1967, she has been a regular guest on the BBC Radio 4 game show Just a Minute. She also voiced Granny Weatherwax in a radio version of Terry Pratchett's book Wyrd Sisters in 1995.

Sheila has made guest appearances on many TV panel shows. These include Grumpy Old Women, Room 101, and Would I Lie To You?. From 2007 to 2012, she was the Chancellor of the University of Portsmouth. This is an important role, like a ceremonial head of the university.

In 1977, Sheila Hancock was the subject of the TV show This Is Your Life. This show surprises famous people by telling their life story.

Awards and Recognitions

Sheila Hancock has received many awards and honors for her work.

• 1966: Nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for Entertaining Mr Sloane.
• 1974: Appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her contributions to drama.
• 1978: Nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance in Annie.
• 1980: Nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Sweeney Todd.
• 2007: Won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical for Cabaret.
• 2010: Received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women in Film and Television Awards.
• 2011: Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for her services to drama.
• 2021: Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for her services to drama and charity. This means she can use the title "Dame."

Personal Life and Family

Sheila Hancock was married to actor Alec Ross from 1955 until he passed away in 1971. They had a daughter named Melanie.

In 1973, Sheila married actor John Thaw. He adopted Melanie, and they had another daughter together, Joanna. John Thaw's daughter, Abigail Thaw, from his first marriage, also became part of their family. All three of their daughters grew up to be actresses.

Sheila was married to John Thaw until he passed away in 2002. Sheila herself faced health challenges in 1988 but recovered fully.

She has written several books. Her 2004 book, The Two of Us, tells the story of her life with John Thaw. She also wrote Just Me (2008) about dealing with loss, and Old Rage (2022). In 2014, she published her first novel, Miss Carter's War.

Sheila Hancock is a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), a religious group known for its peaceful beliefs. She also supports educational charities and is a trustee for the John Thaw Foundation.

She is a friend of writer and comedian Sandi Toksvig. Sheila read a poem at an event celebrating the introduction of same-sex marriage in England and Wales.

Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles (Partial List)

See also

In Spanish: Sheila Hancock para niños