Joan Benham was a British actress best known for her roles in “Murder Ahoy,” “Child in the House,” and the television series “Upstairs, Downstairs.” Born on May 17, 1918, in Fulham, London, England, she had a notable career on stage and screen until her passing on June 13, 1981.
Personal and Family Life
Joan Benham was married to Martin Case from 1942 until her death. She was also the first cousin of actress Olive Sturgess. Known for her matronly roles, she entertained audiences on the West End stage from the 1940s onward and appeared in various television guest spots throughout her career.
Career Highlights
In addition to being recognized for her character roles on stage, Benham gained fame for her portrayal of Lady Prudence Fairfax in the long-running soap opera “Upstairs, Downstairs.” She had an impressive presence in British cinema, with appearances in notable films from the 1950s through the 1970s.
Death and Legacy
Joan Benham passed away on June 13, 1981, in Westminster, London. Her contributions to British theatre and television have left a lasting impact, remembered by fans of classic British entertainment. Through her varied roles, she showcased her talent and versatility, making her a respected figure in the acting community.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Murder Ahoy | 1964-09-22 | Alice Fanbraid |
| The Grass Is Greener | 1960-12-23 | Hairdresser’s Receptionist (uncredited) |
| Carry On Emmannuelle | 1978-10-12 | Cynical Lady |
| The V.I.P.s | 1963-09-01 | Miss Potter |
| The Man Who Loved Redheads | 1955-02-06 | Chloe |
| Ladies Who Do | 1963-11-01 | Miss Pinsent |
| King’s Rhapsody | 1955-06-07 | Countess Astrid |
| Perfect Friday | 1970-11-10 | Miss Welsh |
| Child in the House | 1956-08-14 | Vera McNally |
| Desert Mice | 1959-01-05 | Una O’Toole |
| Compensation Alice | 1967-07-01 | Beryl Rudge |
| Michael Regan | 1971-11-18 | Margery Frankiss |
| Saturday Island | 1952-03-20 | Nurse |
| The Crowning Touch | 1959-06-01 | Daphne |
| Maytime in Mayfair | 1949-05-24 | Fashion Editor (uncredited) |
| Hardcore | 1977-03-17 | Norma Blackhurst |
| The Whole Truth | 1958-09-01 | Party Guest |
| It’s Great to be Young! | 1956-12-26 | Mr. Routledge’s Companion (uncredited) |
| The Limbo Line | 1969-03-03 | |
| The Bridal Path | 1959-08-05 | Barmaid |
| Loser Takes All | 1956-09-09 | Miss Bullen (uncredited) |
| The Greek Tycoon | 1978-05-12 | Lady Allison |
| I Thank a Fool | 1962-09-14 | Restaurant Manager |
| The Wild Affair | 1965-12-05 | Dress Saleslady |
| A Night to Remember | 1958-07-03 | Lottie (uncredited) |
| Arthur? Arthur! | 1969-10-01 | Mrs. Payne |
| The Heart of a Man | 1959-08-06 | Grace |
| Innocents in Paris | 1953-07-22 | Receptionist |
| No Hiding Place | 1959-09-16 | |
| The Duchess of Duke Street | 1976-09-04 | |
| Six Dates with Barker | 1971-01-08 | |
| Take My Wife | 1979-01-17 | |
| Within These Walls | 1974-01-04 | |
| Never A Cross Word | 1968-08-10 | |
| Father Brown | 1974-09-26 | |
| The Upchat Line | 1977-09-26 | Lady Rothwell |
| Melissa | 1974-12-04 | Paula Hepburn |
| Upstairs, Downstairs | 1971-10-10 | Lady Prudence Fairfax |
| Dr. Finlay’s Casebook | 1962-08-16 | Matron |
| Terry and June | 1979-10-24 | Melinda |
| Both Ends Meet | 1972-02-19 | Mrs. Templeton-Smythe |