Sylvia Syms facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sylvia Syms OBE
Syms as Sister Diana Murdoch in Ice Cold in Alex, c. 1958
Born	Sylvia May Laura Syms (1934-01-06)6 January 1934 Woolwich, London, England
Died	27 January 2023(2023-01-27) (aged 89) Northwood, London, England
Education	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1955–2019
Spouse(s)	Alan Edney ​ ​ (m. 1956; div. 1989)​
Children	2, including Beatie
Relatives	Nick Webb (nephew) Alex Webb (nephew)

Sylvia May Laura Syms (6 January 1934 – 27 January 2023) was a talented English actress. She was famous for her work in movies, on TV, and in plays.

Some of her best-known films include My Teenage Daughter (1956), Woman in a Dressing Gown (1957), and Ice Cold in Alex (1958). She was even nominated for a BAFTA Award for her role in Woman in a Dressing Gown.

People sometimes called Sylvia Syms the Grand Dame of British Cinema. She was a major movie star from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. Later, she took on many supporting roles in both films and TV shows. On television, she was known for playing Olive Woodhouse in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. She also played Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in the 2006 movie The Queen.

Early Life and Education

Sylvia Syms was born in Woolwich, a part of southeast London, England, in 1934. Her parents were Daisy and Edwin Syms. Her father worked for a trade union and the government.

When World War II began, Sylvia was sent away from London for safety. She lived in Kent and later in Monmouthshire. She grew up in a place called Well Hall in Eltham.

When Sylvia was twelve, her mother passed away from a brain tumor. This was a very difficult time for her. Sylvia went to convent schools. She later decided she wanted to be an actress. She then studied at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, finishing in 1954. She even became a member of RADA's council later on.

Sylvia started her acting career in local theaters in Eastbourne and Bath.

Acting Career Highlights

Famous Film Roles

Sylvia Syms quickly became known in films. In her second movie, My Teenage Daughter (1956), she played a troubled young girl. In 1958, she starred in the movie Ice Cold in Alex with famous actors like John Mills. That same year, she also appeared in The Moonraker.

In 1959, she acted alongside Cliff Richard in Expresso Bongo. A very important film for her was Victim (1961). In this movie, she played the wife of a lawyer. This film helped start important discussions that led to changes in laws about homosexuality in the UK.

She also appeared in comedies like The Big Job (1965). However, she was most praised for her dramatic roles. One such role was in The Tamarind Seed (1974), where she acted with Julie Andrews. For this role, she was nominated for another British Film Academy award.

In 1975, Sylvia Syms was chosen to lead the jury at the 25th Berlin International Film Festival. This is a big honor in the film world.

In 1991, she played Margaret Thatcher, who was the British Prime Minister, in a TV film called Thatcher: The Final Days. She even played this role on stage later.

A notable role was in the 2006 movie The Queen. Here, Sylvia Syms played Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. She also appeared in The Poseidon Adventure (2005), a TV movie. Sylvia also tried her hand at producing and directing films.

In 2009, she appeared in the film Is Anybody There? with Michael Caine.

Television and Theatre Work

Sylvia Syms had a busy career in television and theatre too. From 1972 to 1974, she starred in the TV comedy My Good Woman. She was also a team captain on the BBC show Movie Quiz.

In 1989, Syms appeared in the popular science fiction show Doctor Who in a story called Ghost Light.

From 2000 to 2003, she played Marion Riley in the ITV comedy-drama At Home with the Braithwaites. She also appeared in the TV series The Jury.

In 2009, she was in the ITV drama series Collision. In 2010, she was a guest star in the BBC One drama Casualty. She had also appeared in Casualty and its sister show Holby City before. From 2007 to 2010, Sylvia Syms had a regular role in EastEnders, playing the character Olive Woodhouse.

In 2010, Syms took part in the BBC show The Young Ones. This series featured older celebrities trying to feel younger by living like they did in the 1970s. From 2013 to 2019, Sylvia Syms narrated Talking Pictures on BBC Two.

Sylvia Syms also performed in many theatre plays. These included famous productions like Much Ado About Nothing, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and Antony and Cleopatra.

Personal Life and Legacy

Sylvia Syms was married to Alan Edney from 1956 to 1989. Her daughter, Beatie Edney, is also an actress. Sylvia was also the aunt of musicians Nick and Alex Webb.

She was a strong supporter of the Stars Foundation for Cerebral Palsy. She served on their board for sixteen years, helping children with cerebral palsy. She worked alongside the famous singer Vera Lynn for this cause.

In her later years, Sylvia Syms lived at Denville Hall. This is a special retirement home for actors in London. She passed away there on 27 January 2023, at the age of 89.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

Learn more about Sylvia Syms in Spanish!

In Spanish: Sylvia Syms para niños