Anna Dawson
British actress
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Anna Dawson is an English actress and singer.
Anna Dawson | |
|---|---|
| Born | Bolton, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1965–1995 |
| Spouse | John Boulter |
Born in Bolton, Lancashire, Dawson spent part of her childhood in Tanganyika, where her father worked. She attended the Elmhurst Ballet School and after training at the Central School of Speech and Drama, she learned her craft by playing in repertory theatre companies.[1]
Dawson went on to star in several West End musicals. She featured in episodes of Dixon of Dock Green during the 1960s, The Benny Hill Show during the 1980s,[2] and played Hyacinth Bucket's sister Violet ("the one with the Mercedes, sauna and room for a pony") in the final series of the sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, though her character was only featured on screen briefly in four episodes.
Dawson was married to former Black and White Minstrel Show soloist John Boulter until his death in December 2025.[3]
TV credits
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1964–1966 | Dixon of Dock Green | Mary Crawford | 23 episodes |
| 1965 | Mother Goose | Squire's daughter | TV film |
| 1971 | Slapstick and Old Lace | Various | |
| Brian Rix Presents... | 7 episodes | ||
| 1973 | Z-Cars | Sheila Clowes | Episode: "Domestic" |
| 1975–1989 | The Benny Hill Show | Various | 9 episodes |
| 1976–1978 & 1980 | What's on Next? | ||
| 1976-1981 | The Generation Game | Self | 4 episodes |
| 1977 | Hi Summer! | ||
| Larry Grayson | Bubbles | 3 episodes | |
| Miss Jones and Son | Carole | Episode: 'Baby Talk' | |
| 1978 | Bernie | 1 episode | |
| One-Off 'ITV Votes for Women' 50th Anniversary Gala | |||
| Whodunnit? | Panellist | 5 episodes | |
| 1978-9 and 1985 | Blankety Blank | ||
| 1978-1989 | Give Us a Clue | Guest Contestant | 8 episodes |
| 1978 | The Morecambe & Wise Show | Bandaged Newsreader / Lola |
Christmas Special |
| 1978–1979 | Rings on Their Fingers | Deirdre | 4 episodes |
| 1979 | The Dick Emery Special | Various | |
| 1979 | Leslie Crowther's Scrapbook | ||
| 1979, 1982 and 1986 | 3-2-1 | Guest Entertainer | 10 episodes |
| 1980 | Robin's Nest | Atalanta | Episode: "Just an Old-Fashioned Girl" |
| Life Begins at Forty | Jill Simpson | 4 episodes | |
| The Crowther Collection | Various | ||
| The Dick Emery Hour | |||
| The Allan Stewart Show | |||
| 1980–1981 | The Kenny Everett Video Show | Carla / Various | 8 episodes |
| 1980–1982 | Keep It in the Family | Mrs Morgan / Woman Juror | 2 episodes |
| 1981 | It's A Celebrity Knockout | Celebrity Contestant (Budgie) | |
| The Jim Davidson Show | 1 episode | ||
| The Paul Squire Show | |||
| The Kenny Everett Video Cassette | Carla | ||
| 1982 | Royal Variety Performance | Introductory Sequence | |
| The Generation Game | Guest during run-up to 1982 Wimbledon Pantomime | ||
| The Good Old Days | Guest Entertainer | 3 episodes | |
| 1983 | All for Love | Wife | Episode: "Down at the Hydro" |
| 1984 | The Steam Video Company | Various | 6 episodes |
| 1985 | The New Statesman | Enid Vance | 6 episodes |
| 1986 | Crosswits | Celebrity Panellist | |
| Rainbow | Self | Episode: "Decision Making" | |
| The Sooty Show | Guest (Swimming Pool etc.) | ||
| Smith & Jones | Various | Episode: "Football Supporters on a Plane" | |
| Super Gran | Wendy Whiplash | Episode: "Supergran and the World's Worst Circus" | |
| 1988 | Bad Boyes | Bonnie | 7 episodes |
| 1991 | Benny Hill: Unseen | Various | TV film |
| 1992 | Don't Tell Father | Stella Whipple | 3 episodes |
| 1995 | Keeping Up Appearances | Violet | 4 episodes |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | O Lucky Man! | Becky |
| Love Thy Neighbour | Betty | |
| 1975 | The Sexplorer a.k.a. The Girl From Starship Venus | Store Manageress |
| 1977 | Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers | Glam #1 |
| 1981 | If You Go Down in the Woods Today | Courting woman |
| 1984 | Gabrielle and the Doodleman | Wicked Witch |
| Bloodbath at the House of Death | Nurse |
