Anna Karen

Biography

Anna Karen was a British actress born in Durban, South Africa, who began acting with South Africa's national theater at fifteen and later trained at the London School of Dramatic Art. She made her film debut in Nudist Memories (1961) and appeared in Poor Cow (1967) before taking the part of Olive Rudge in On the Buses, the ITV sitcom, which she played from 1969 to 1973 in all 74 episodes and in the spin-off films On the Buses (1971), Mutiny on the Buses (1972) and Holiday on the Buses (1973). She also appeared in Carry On Camping (1969) and later in Carry On Loving (1970). She then played Aunt Sal in EastEnders from 1996 to 2017. Her other screen work included Beautiful Thing (1996). She died in 2022.

85years old at death

Born September 19, 1936Durban
Died February 22, 2022Ilford
Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
Ann McCall (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 5
Career span: 29 years1967 to 1996

Every film, newest first

1996Beautiful ThingIMDb rating 7.6
1973Holiday on the BusesIMDb rating 5.8
1972Mutiny on the BusesIMDb rating 5.8
1971On the BusesIMDb rating 6.0
1967Poor CowIMDb rating 6.8

Genres

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Early training
Karen became interested in acting when she was young and joined the South African National Theatre at fifteen. Over the next two years she starred in several touring productions.

Anna Karen movies on Netflix

Beautiful Thing1996IMDb rating 7.6as Marlene
Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8as Olive Rudge
Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8as Olive, Stan's Sister
On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0as Olive Rudge
Poor Cow1967IMDb rating 6.8as Neighbour

Most often with

Harry Booth directed two of these films. Five actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Michael Robbins

Doris Hare

Stephen Lewis

Reg Varney

Bob Grant

David LodgeHarry BoothDirector, 2 films

Films together

Michael Robbins3 films together, 1971 to 1973
Michael Robbins's page
- Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive RudgeRobbins as Arthur Rudge
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive, Stan's SisterRobbins as Arthur, Stan's Brother in Law
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Karen as Olive RudgeRobbins as Arthur Rudge
Doris Hare3 films together, 1971 to 1973
Doris Hare's page
- Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive RudgeHare as Mrs. Mabel Butler
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive, Stan's SisterHare as Stan's Mum
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Karen as Olive RudgeHare as Mrs. Butler
Stephen Lewis3 films together, 1971 to 1973
Stephen Lewis's page
- Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive RudgeLewis as Inspector Cyril 'Blakey' Blake
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive, Stan's SisterLewis as The Inspector
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Karen as Olive RudgeLewis as Inspector Blakey
Reg Varney3 films together, 1971 to 1973
Reg Varney's page
- Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive RudgeVarney as Stan Butler
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive, Stan's SisterVarney as Stan Butler
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Karen as Olive RudgeVarney as Stan Butler
Bob Grant3 films together, 1971 to 1973
Bob Grant's page
- Holiday on the Buses1973IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive RudgeGrant as Jack Harper
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive, Stan's SisterGrant as Jack, Stan's Conductor
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Karen as Olive RudgeGrant as Jack Harper
David Lodge2 films together, 1971 to 1972
David Lodge's page
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive, Stan's SisterLodge as Safari Guard
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Karen as Olive RudgeLodge as Busman
Harry BoothDirector, 2 films, 1971 to 1972
All films by Harry Booth
- Mutiny on the Buses1972IMDb rating 5.8Karen as Olive, Stan's Sister
- On the Buses1971IMDb rating 6.0Karen as Olive Rudge
Also two films together3 more actors
- Kate WilliamsHoliday on the Buses (1973) and Poor Cow (1967)
- Pat AshtonMutiny on the Buses (1972) and On the Buses (1971)
- Queenie WattsHoliday on the Buses (1973) and Poor Cow (1967)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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