Hattie Jacques

• Birth name:

  Josephine Edwina Jaques

• Date of Birth:

  6 October 1922 Sandgate, Kent, England, UK

• Height:

  5' 6" (1.68 m)

Best known for playing Matron - as in "ooh, Matron!" - in four films: "Carry On Nurse", "Carry On Doctor", "Carry On Again Doctor" and, of course "Carry On Matron". Key roles included: Grace Short in "Carry On Teacher", Sophie Bliss in "Carry On Loving" and Peggy Hawkins in "Carry On Cabby". She was married to John Le Mesurier (Sergeant Wilson in "Dad's Army"), but left him for another man. They divorced but re... more

Best known for playing Matron - as in "ooh, Matron!" - in four films: "Carry On Nurse", "Carry On Doctor", "Carry On Again Doctor" and, of course "Carry On Matron". Key roles included: Grace Short in "Carry On Teacher", Sophie Bliss in "Carry On Loving" and Peggy Hawkins in "Carry On Cabby". She was married to John Le Mesurier (Sergeant Wilson in "Dad's Army"), but left him for another man. They divorced but remained friends. An unexpectedly attractive woman in her time, she played parts which depended upon and mocked her weight. Only in "Carry On Cabby" was she allowed to escape her dragon persona and play the romantic lead opposite Sid James. She died prematurely at the age of 58 from a heart attack.