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
Years active	1953–present
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 performed in many plays and musicals in London theatres. You might also know her from her roles in movies and on television.

Sheila Hancock was nominated for a Tony Award for her first show on Broadway, Entertaining Mr. Sloane (1966). She won a Laurence Olivier Award for her role in the musical Cabaret (2007). She was also nominated for Olivier Awards five other times for her work in shows like Annie (1978) and Sister Act (2010).

On screen, she has appeared in films such as Carry On Cleo (1964), The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (2008), and Edie (2017). She was also nominated twice for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress for her TV roles.

Sheila Hancock's Early Life and School

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

When Sheila was five, her family moved to Bexleyheath. She remembered it as a quieter place than where they lived before. She felt they had "gone up in the world" and became "lower-middle-class."

Sheila went to several schools, including St Etheldreda's Convent. During World War II, she was moved to different places for safety. She later attended Dartford County Grammar School.

After school, Sheila studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). She graduated in 1952 with an acting diploma.

Sheila Hancock on Stage: Theatre Roles

Sheila Hancock started her acting career in theatres in the 1950s. Her first big show in London's West End was Breath of Spring in 1958. She took over a role from another actress, Joan Sims.

In 1965, Sheila made her first appearance on Broadway in New York City. This was for the play Entertaining Mr Sloane. Later, in 1978, she played Miss Hannigan in the original London musical Annie. Two years after that, she played Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd in London. People said her performance was excellent.

Sheila has also worked with famous theatre groups. These include the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the National Theatre. She was the first woman to direct a touring show for the RSC. She also directed a play in the Olivier Theatre at the National Theatre.

In 2006, Sheila played Fräulein Schneider in the musical Cabaret. This role won her a Laurence Olivier Award. In 2009, she spent over a year playing Mother Superior in Sister Act the Musical. This show was at the London Palladium.

More recently, in 2016, Sheila starred in the musical Grey Gardens. In 2018, she played Maude in Harold and Maude in London.

Sheila Hancock on Television

Sheila Hancock had her first major TV role in the early 1960s. She played Carole Taylor in the BBC comedy show The Rag Trade. She also starred in other sitcoms like The Bed-Sit Girl and Mr Digby Darling.

Her other TV appearances include an episode of Doctor Who. She also appeared in Kavanagh QC with her husband, John Thaw. She was in shows like EastEnders, Bleak House, and New Tricks.

In 2010, Sheila presented a documentary called Suffragette City. It told the story of the suffragette movement through museum objects. In 2011, she explored the history of watercolour painting in Sheila Hancock Brushes Up: The Art of Watercolours. She also presented a documentary about the Brontë Sisters in 2013.

In December 2012, Sheila took part in a special Christmas episode of Strictly Come Dancing. In 2016, she appeared in the medical drama Casualty. From 2016 to 2019, she starred in the Sky One comedy-drama Delicious.

In 2017, Sheila appeared in an episode of Endeavour. Her stepdaughter, Abigail Thaw, also appeared in the show. In 2020, she started co-presenting Great Canal Journeys with Gyles Brandreth. In 2021, she was in the fantasy drama A Discovery of Witches. In 2023, she played Liz Zettl in the BBC crime drama The Sixth Commandment.

Other Work and Achievements

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

She often works in radio. She has been a regular guest on the BBC Radio 4 game show Just a Minute since 1967. She also voiced Granny Weatherwax in a radio play based on Terry Pratchett's book Wyrd Sisters.

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

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

Awards and Recognition

Sheila Hancock has received many honours for her work. She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1974. She became a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2011. In 2021, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE). This is a very high honour for her contributions to drama and charity.

In 2010, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Women in Film and Television Awards. This award celebrates her long and successful career.

Sheila Hancock's Personal Life

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

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

Sheila was married to John Thaw until he passed away in 2002. Sheila herself was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1988 but fully recovered.

She has written several books. Her 2004 book, The Two of Us, tells the story of both their lives and their 28-year marriage. She also wrote Just Me in 2008, about dealing with being a widow. Her book Old Rage was published in 2022. In 2014, she published her first novel, Miss Carter's War.

Sheila Hancock is a member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). She supports the educational charity Digismart. She is also a trustee for the John Thaw Foundation, which helps others.

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

Film and TV Roles

Film Appearances

Television Roles

See also

In Spanish: Sheila Hancock para niños