Joanna Dunham was an English actress known for her roles in The Advocate, The Greatest Story Ever Told, and Van der Valk. Born on May 6, 1936, in Luton, Bedfordshire, she made significant contributions to film and theater before transitioning to painting later in life.
Personal and Family Life
Joanna Dunham was the daughter of architect Peter Dunham. She was married twice: first to Henry A. Osborne from 1961 until their divorce in 1972, with whom she had two children, and later to Reggie Oliver in 1992 until her death in 2014. Dunham began her acting career on stage in 1958 at the Liverpool Playhouse.
Career
Dunham gained fame for her portrayal of Mary Magdalene in The Greatest Story Ever Told, a role she was recommended for by Marilyn Monroe after seeing her as Juliet. Throughout her career, she appeared in various films and television shows, showcasing her talent in both drama and horror genres. After her acting career slowed, Dunham focused on painting and had exhibitions in Suffolk and London.
Death and Legacy
Joanna Dunham passed away on November 25, 2014, in Saxmundham, Suffolk, England. Her contributions to film and the arts remain appreciated by fans and critics alike. Her legacy lives on through the characters she portrayed and her later work as a painter.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Greatest Story Ever Told | 1965-04-09 | Mary Magdalene |
| Into Infinity | 1975-12-09 | Anne Bowen |
| The House That Dripped Blood | 1971-02-22 | Alice Hillyer (segment 1 “Method for Murder”) |
| A Day at the Beach | 1970-05-01 | Tonie |
| The Breaking Point | 1961-01-01 | Cherry |
| Scandal | 1989-03-03 | Lady Astor |
| The End of Arthur’s Marriage | 1965-11-17 | Mrs. Thurloe |
| Casting the Runes | 1979-04-24 | Jean Gayton |
| Dangerous Afternoon | 1961-05-23 | Freda Maybury |
| Goodbye | 1975-03-06 | Zoe Lyle |
| Possession | 1973-04-11 | Penny Burns |
| Platonov | 1971-05-23 | |
| The Switch | 1971-06-08 | Sheila Martin |
| Whatever Became of Me? | 1972-08-29 | Diana |
| Jason King | 1971-09-15 | |
| Moondial | 1988-02-10 | |
| Van der Valk | 1972-09-13 | Lucienne |
| Sanctuary | 1967-06-29 | |
| Space: 1999 | 1975-09-04 | Vana |
| Thriller | 1973-04-14 | Penny Burns |
| Are You Being Served? | 1972-09-08 | |
| The Adventures of William Tell | 1958-09-15 | Gretel |
| Then Churchill Said to Me | 1993-03-01 | |
| The Outsider | 1983-09-30 | |
| The Day After Tomorrow | 1975-12-09 | Dr. Anna Bowen |
| The Passenger | 1971-10-23 | |
| Van der Valk | 1972-09-13 | Arlette Van der Valk |
| The Third Man | 1959-10-02 | Nina Dimonella |
| The Adventurer | 1972-09-29 | Gerda Hoffman |
| Play for Today | 1970-10-15 | Zoe Lyle |