Joan Sims (1930 - 2001)

With 20 Carry On films and 5 Doctor films to her name, Joan Sims occupies a central role in British comedy. Though she rarely attempted dramatic roles, within the comedy genre her range was great.

She was the daughter of a station master and grew up entertaining the passengers for small change. She did poorly at school and struggled to get into RADA. After graduating from there she did the usual round of rep before working up to the West End.

She made her screen debut early in her career and spent the rest of the fifties mainly playing nurses and maids. Her "nurse" experience made her a natural for the second Carry On film: Carry On Nurse. 

To begin with she played "sensible tottie" roles but gradually her roles expanded to include a gallery of frustrated and/or nagging wives. She became an essential ingredient in the Carry On formula. 

Unlike many of her colleagues, she did little TV during the height of the Carry On success, preferring to concentrate on radio and revue. Therefore when the series faded she disappeared from view for several years. Depression and a drink problem kept her off screen though in the 90s, despite ill-health, she recovered recovered sufficiently to play supporting roles in several undistinguished sitcoms. 

Filmography 

 Joan Sims at Amazon UK

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