Born on this day in 1927 in Wandsworth, London, she built an impressive acting resume across a wide range of beloved television shows and films.
Her mother, Jessica Revitt, was a former concert pianist and singer.
Yootha left school at the age of 15, when evacuated to Hampshire during World War II. Later she trained with RADA and entertained troops as part of ENSA.
Her first boyfriend was Roger Moore; they met as students at RADA.
She also trained at Joan Littlewood’s Theatre Workshop, which included such talent as Harry H. Corbett, Brian Murphy, Lionel Bart, Roy Kinnear, and her future husband, Glynn Edwards.
She battled alcoholism during her life, a battle she ultimately lost. She was said to be on a bottle of vodka a day. She sadly died of hepatitis four days after her 53rd birthday. The actor, Brian Murphy, who played her on-screen husband in George & Mildred (1976), was at her bedside.
Her name is Aboriginal, meaning ‘Goddess of Luck’.
She was in the stage production of ‘Fings Ain’t What They Used to Be’ when seen by Dennis Norden and give the part in ‘Marriage Lines’.
She starred in many classics like “Man About the House,” “George and Mildred,” “Sparrows Can’t Sing,” and “A Man For All Seasons,” along with numerous others like “The Avengers,” “On The Buses,” and “The Fenn Street Gang.”
On stage, she showcased her talent in productions such as “Pygmalion,” “Henry V,” “A Christmas Carol,” and many more.
Beyond her acting career, she was also a passionate animal-rights advocate, taking in several animals in need. This commitment to animals highlights her compassionate nature and adds another layer to her remarkable legacy.
20th August 1927 – 24th August 1980