British actress (1921–2001)
Eleanor Summerfield |
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| Born | Eleanor Audrey Summerfield
(1921-03-07)7 March 1921
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| Died | 13 July 2001(2001-07-13) (aged 80)
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| Education | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
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| Occupation | Actress |
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| Years active | 1936–1983 |
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| Spouse |
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| Children | 2, including Robin Sachs |
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Eleanor Audrey Summerfield (7 March 1921 – 13 July 2001) was an English actress who appeared in many plays, films and television series. She is known for her roles in Laughter in Paradise (1951), Final Appointment (1954), Odongo (1956), Dentist in the Chair (1960), On the Fiddle (1961), The Running Man (1963) and Some Will, Some Won't (1970).
Early life and career
She was born as Eleanor Audrey Summerfield in St Pancras, London, on 7 March 1921.[1] Summerfield trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1937.[2]
Summerfield made her screen debut in the 1946 television drama A Phoenix Too Frequent, which was based on a play of the same name.[3] Her first stage show was Her Excellency at the London Hippodrome in 1949.[4] In the mid-1960s, she played P. G. Wodehouse's character Aunt Dahlia on the black-and-white television series The World of Wooster (1965–1967) aired on BBC One.[5] She was also a regular member in the panel game Just a Minute and was a team member for the entire 15-year run of Many a Slip (1964–1979).[6][7] During her career spanning nearly half a century, she appeared in a number of films and television series.[3] Other TV series she appeared in included Lovejoy: Season 2: Episode 5, 1991 "Who Dares, Sings" as May Walker; and Midsomer Murders: Series 1: Episode 4, 1998 "Faithful Until Death" as Elfrida Molfrey.[8][9]
Personal life
Summerfield was married to actor Leonard Sachs from 1947 until his death in 1990.[1] They had two sons: Robin Sachs, who was also an actor, and Toby Sachs.[7]
She died in Westminster, London, on 13 July 2001, aged 80.[3]
