Prunella Gee

Last updated

Prunella Gee
Born (1950-02-17) 17 February 1950 (age 73)
London, England
Occupation(s)Counsellor, therapist
Years active1973–2004, 2011
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1978;div. 1983)​
Children Daisy Eris Campbell

Prunella Mary Gee (born 17 February 1950) is an English counsellor, therapist and former actress, best known for her work as an actress in the 1970s and 1980s, and for the role of Doreen Heavey in Coronation Street , a part she first played in 1999. Doreen appeared in 17 episodes before returning as a permanent character in 2002 and 2003. She came back the following year for three episodes, proving to be Gee's final television role.

Contents

Early life and education

The daughter of a businessman living in Rutland, Gee was privately educated at Benenden School, where she was in the year below Princess Anne. [1]

Wanting to become an actress, she studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, [1] where she won the Spotlight Award for Best Actress in 1972; she then spent six months in repertory performing in works by J. B. Priestley, George Bernard Shaw, William Shakespeare, Georges Feydeau and Joe Orton.

Television and film work

Her first television role was as Anna Fitzgerald in Granada Television's 1930s drama serial Shabby Tiger (1973), in which she rose to overnight notoriety by becoming the first actress to show full frontal nudity on British television. She was quickly hailed as Britain's answer to Brigitte Bardot or Sophia Loren. In a 2002 interview, Gee recalled: "I was working in serious theatre, but got a reputation of being a sex symbol. I was too young to know any better so I tended to go with the flow." [2]

Gee made her film debut in 1975, alongside Sidney Poitier, Michael Caine, and Nicol Williamson, in The Wilby Conspiracy , for which she was nominated Best Newcomer in the Evening News Film Awards. The same year she starred as journalist Sandy Williams in Cover Story, episode 8 of the police drama series The Sweeney .

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Gee had guest roles in many television shows, including Return of the Saint , The Glittering Prizes , Hammer House of Horror , The Professionals , and Alas Smith & Jones . She also made regular appearances on the game shows Call My Bluff and Give Us A Clue.

In 1976, Gee starred as Sheila in Waris Hussein's production of Waiting For Sheila for the ITV Sunday Night Drama slot.

She appeared as Del Henney's girlfriend Rebecca Westgate in the second series of the ITV drama serial Fallen Hero in 1979.

In 1981, she starred as Miss Griffin in Nigel Kneale's short-lived LWT sci-fi comedy series Kinvig , alongside Tony Haygarth.

In 1983, she appeared opposite Sean Connery as nurse Patrica Fearing in the James Bond film Never Say Never Again . Other movies throughout the decade included 1985's Number One, where she played a news reporter interviewing Bob Geldof's lead character, and in 1988 she played Sting's wife in Stormy Monday .

In 1985, she appeared as Penelope Keith's disruptive actress sister in the ITV sitcom Moving , and the following year co-starred with Pat Phoenix in Constant Hot Water .

In 1989, she made a guest appearance in the Going Away episode of the ITV comedy series After Henry , and another in the short-lived comedy series, Split Ends , starring Anita Dobson, in a part specially created for her in the episode titled The Brush Off.

In 1998, she played Catherine McKay, a fading adult film star in the romantic comedy film Merchants of Venus , filmed in Los Angeles, in which she starred with Michael York, Beverly D'Angelo and Brian Cox. Although well received by the critics, Merchants of Venus was not made commercially available until 2002, when it was released on DVD.

Gee's last television role was as Doreen Heavey in Coronation Street , the mother of Maxine Peacock and a part she played in regular intervals from 1999 to 2004. The character of Doreen was scatty and flirty, and during her time on the show, had a brief flirtation with Mike Baldwin, a feud with Vera Duckworth, and was a constant source of irritation for her son-in-law Ashley Peacock, when she arrived at his and Maxine's house following a split with her husband Derek, whom she was reconciled with in 2003.

Theatre work

Gee has had a long and varied career on the stage. David Storey cast her in his production of The Farm in 1973, her future husband Ken Campbell gave her the role of the Goddess of Chaos in his acclaimed play Illuminatus in 1976, [3] and in 1988, she played all three women in Last of the Red Hot Lovers.

From 1989 to 1990, she starred as the blind Suzy in a national tour of Wait Until Dark. She took on the double role of Alice in Double Take, at the Liverpool Playhouse in 1990. The same year she devised and starred in Warhola with Snoo Wilson as Warhol (taken from The Philosophy of Andy Warhol) at Offstage and the Carib Theatre, Trinidad. [4]

From 1991 to 1992, she acted in the play Time and Time Again, which included dates at the Theatre Royal, Bath. [5] Shortly after, she played Romaine in the Agatha Christie play Witness for the Prosecution.

In 1994, she appeared as Kate in William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, a production which was directed by Val May. [6]

Gee gave up acting in 2004. She briefly returned in 2011 when she appeared in the short film Trimming Pablo. [7]

Post-acting career

Since 2006, she has worked as a counsellor and therapist in Camden, London. [8]

On 13 April 2013, Gee appeared as the very special guest at a 43tv Retro TV Sweeney Meet in Hammersmith, London where she gave an after dinner talk about her career in television and film.

The same month, in her capacity as a counsellor, Gee was interviewed on Jo Good's BBC London 94.9 radio show, talking about addiction. [9] On the programme, Gee revealed that she had given up acting because she had started her training as a counsellor whilst she was by then playing "mums and grannies", and there were not as many acting parts for her. She had tried to do the two together, but realised that she could not give her full attention to both. Gee said that she "bravely" said to her agent: "that's it", and that she wanted to be taken out of Spotlight. She added: "It was the most liberating thing I've ever done".

Personal life

Gee was once in a relationship with Michael Winner. She married the actor and director Ken Campbell in 1978, with whom she had a daughter, Daisy; the couple divorced after five years but remained on good terms. [10]

Television and film

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Thaw</span> English actor (1942–2002)

John Edward Thaw, was an English actor who appeared in a range of television, stage, and cinema roles. He starred in the television series Inspector Morse as title character Detective Chief Inspector Endeavour Morse, Redcap as Sergeant John Mann, The Sweeney as Detective Inspector Jack Regan, Home to Roost as Henry Willows, and Kavanagh QC as title character James Kavanagh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prunella Scales</span> British actor

Prunella Margaret Rumney West Scales is an English former actor, best known for playing Sybil Fawlty, wife of Basil Fawlty, in the BBC comedy Fawlty Towers; for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in A Question of Attribution by Alan Bennett ; and for the documentary series Great Canal Journeys (2014–2021), in which she travels on canal barges and narrowboats with her husband, fellow actor Timothy West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lynda Bellingham</span> English actress, broadcaster, and author (1948–2014)

Lynda Bellingham OBE was an English actress, broadcaster and author. She acted in television series such as All Creatures Great and Small, Doctor Who, Second Thoughts and Faith in the Future. She was also known for her appearances as the mother in the long-running series of "Oxo Family" British TV advertisements between 1983 and 1999, and as a panellist on the ITV lunchtime chat show Loose Women between 2007 and 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheila Hancock</span> British actress

Dame Sheila Cameron Hancock is an English actress, singer, and author. Hancock trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before starting her career in repertory theatre. Hancock went on to perform in plays and musicals in London, and her Broadway debut in Entertaining Mr Sloane (1966) earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Lead Actress in Play.

Jacqueline Anne Stallybrass was an English actress who trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London. The television roles for which she is best known are Jane Seymour in The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1970) and Anne Onedin in The Onedin Line (1971–1972). In the 1990s, Stallybrass played Dr Kate Rowan's Aunt Eileen in Heartbeat.

Josie Lawrence is an English actress and comedian. She is best known for her work with the Comedy Store Players improvisational troupe, the television series Whose Line Is It Anyway? and as Manda Best in EastEnders.

Sheila Gish was an English actress. For her role in the 1995 London revival of the Stephen Sondheim musical Company, she won the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Performance in a Musical.

Colette Mann is an Australian actress, singer, TV and radio presenter, choreographer and author/writer and media personality, she has been in the entertainment industry for over 50 years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sophie Thompson</span> British actress

Sophie Thompson is a British actress who has worked in film, television and theatre. A six-time Olivier Award nominee, she won the 1999 Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the London revival of Into the Woods. Her other nominations were for Wildest Dreams (1994), Company (1996), Clybourne Park (2011) Guys and Dolls (2016) and 'Present Laughter' (2019).

Niamh Cusack is an Irish actress. Born to a family with deep roots in the performing arts, Cusack has been involved as a performer since a young age. She has served with the UK's two leading theatre companies, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theatre and has performed in a long line of major stage productions since the mid-1980s. She has made numerous appearances on television including a long-running role as Dr. Kate Rowan in the UK series Heartbeat (1992–1995) which made her a household name and favourite. She has often worked as a voice actress on radio, and her film credits include a starring role in In Love with Alma Cogan (2011).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheila White (actress)</span> British film, television and stage actress (1948-2018)

Sheila Susan White was an English film, television and stage actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haydn Gwynne</span> English actress

Haydn Gwynne is an English actress. She was nominated for the 1992 BAFTA TV Award for Best Light Entertainment Performance for the comedy series Drop the Dead Donkey (1990–1991), and won the 2009 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her role in the Broadway production of Billy Elliot the Musical. She is also a four-time Olivier Award nominee. Her other television roles include Peak Practice (1999–2000), Merseybeat (2001–2002), and playing Camilla in The Windsors (2016–2020).

Geraldine Cowper is an English actress who is best known for playing Rowan Morrison in the 1973 horror film The Wicker Man and Rosie Miller in EastEnders. In the mid-1980s she took the part of Clare France in After Henry on BBC radio and also appeared on television as Jim Hacker's daughter in Yes Minister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parminder Nagra</span> British actress

Parminder Kaur Nagra is a British actress of Indian Punjabi descent and Sikh heritage. She is known for portraying Jess Bhamra in the film Bend It Like Beckham (2002) and Dr. Neela Rasgotra in the NBC medical drama series ER from 2003 to 2009. She has had several other major television roles, including a starring role as Meera Malik in the NBC crime drama series The Blacklist for season one and a recurring role on the ABC/Marvel Television series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as Ellen Nadeer for season four.

Laurie Heineman is an American actress and teacher, probably best known for the role of Myra in the John G. Avildsen film Save the Tiger and for originating the role of Sharlene Frame on Another World. Laurie grew up in Rye, New York, and attended the Midland (elementary) School, where her career was influenced by celebrated teacher Albert Cullum; and graduated from Rye High School before attending Radcliffe College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwen Watford</span> English actress

Gwendoline Watford, professionally known after the mid-1950s as Gwen Watford, was an English actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sheila Reid</span> British actress (born 1937)

Sheila Reid is a Scottish actress, known for playing Madge Harvey in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2016). An original member of the Royal National Theatre in 1963, she played Bianca in the National's 1965 film version of Othello, with Laurence Olivier in the title role. Her other film appearances include Brazil (1985), The Winter Guest (1997) and Containment (2015).

For the science-fiction novels by Frederik Pohl and Cyril M. Kornbluth, see The Space Merchants

Daisy Eris Campbell, is a British writer, actress and theatre director. Daughter of actor and director Ken Campbell and actress and therapist Prunella Gee. She staged The Warp, a revival of Neil Oram's 24-hour play at The Everyman Theatre, Liverpool. Campbell also adapted Robert Anton Wilson’s cult autobiographical book Cosmic Trigger for the stage. She played the role of her mother in the play. Cosmic Trigger is a kind of sequel to her father's adaptation of Robert Anton Wilson's Illuminatus! Allegedly, Daisy was conceived during the original production of Illuminatus! In part, the play of Cosmic Trigger deals with the production of Ken Campbell's adaptation of Illuminatus! in Liverpool in 1976.

Siobhán McSweeney is an Irish actress and presenter. She is best known for her role as Sister Michael in the teen sitcom Derry Girls.

References

  1. 1 2 Des Wilson, "Six girls heading for stardom" in The Observer magazine, 1974 volume, p. 524
  2. ↑ "Corrie's Doreen: I spent 2 days in bed with Sean; (And two seconds cuddling Billy Sloan). – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  3. ↑ "Ken Campbell, Illuminatus! and other Liverpool romps". Liverpool Confidential. Archived from the original on 6 May 2016. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  4. ↑ "Prunella Gee C.V." Official Website (Archived). Archived from the original on 22 September 2004. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
  5. ↑ "Prunella Gee". Theatricalia. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  6. ↑ Shakespeare, William (2002). The Taming of the Shrew – William Shakespeare – Google Books. ISBN   9780521667418 . Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  7. ↑ "Trimming Pablo (2011)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "Therapist in North London, Counselling, Psychotherapy, Therapy, 12 steps, Addiction Family dynamics". Camdentherapy.com. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  9. ↑ "BBC London 94.9 – Jo Good, Sewing and addiction". BBC. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Ken Campbell". The Daily Telegraph. London. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.