Ruth Cracknell, 1926 – 2002
Comments: 5
One of Australia’s greatest actors, Ruth Cracknell, has passed away. I never got to see her on the stage, unfortunately, but even her film and television work was a rare gift.
Ruth Cracknell dies at 76
By Michael Bradley, The Sydney Morning Herald
Cracknell died of a respiratory illness in a Sydney nursing home shortly after a visit from her children, Anna Jeffery, Jane Moore and Jonathan Phillips.
While her career in radio, revue, theatre, television and film spanned 56 years, it was as Maggie Beare in ABC television’s Mother and Son that Cracknell established herself as a national figure.
Variously known as Crackers, Dame Crackers, Ruth, St Ruth, and, more recently, Dame Ruth, she was blessed with what admirers called ”the gift of pausation”.
Her intelligence, grace and charm earned her widespread affection, and her natural talent commanded respect.
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Posted to Oh, the Humanity • 2002.05.14 (Tue) • 11:43
Comments
Posted by Annabel 2003.05.23, 17:01
I am studying Ruth Cracknell for an assignment at school and i used to watch Mother and Son all the time and thought it was great! I have visited websites and read all about her and know a lot! i thought Ruth was great!!! Ruth will be remembered by many! Annabel
Posted by Rob 2004.09.04, 01:54
I was totally captivated by Miss Cracknell’s charm and her gift for comedy. I watched Mother and Son on public television in the U.S. . One of the first searches I did on my computer was to see if the series was available on video or DVD.. Finally I see it’s available on PAL, can NTSC be far behind?
Posted by Christopher Barsamian 2005.01.02, 16:21
Unfortunately, I did not have a lot of exposure to her (and her craft) here in the US. However, I did see her (and taped her) in numerous episodes of Mother and Son. She was very funny, and obviously very talented. I am very sorry for the loss.
Posted by jack 2006.02.20, 20:05
Ruth had a place in everyones hearts she was best known as Maggie Beare in Mother and Son we will remember ruth as a proud australian
Posted by james 2006.06.07, 11:28
I’m trying to get in contact with the person or company that handles Ruths body of work now that she has gone. Does anyone know who controls her copyright for her books? What an enigma she is.
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