Ruth Cracknell
Biography
Ruth Cracknell was an Australian actress and comedian whose career in radio, theater, television and film spanned about 56 years. Born in Maitland, New South Wales, and raised in Sydney, she trained at the Modern Theatre Players drama school and began acting in radio in 1945. She joined the John Alden Company in 1948 and took roles in King Lear, Measure for Measure and The Tempest, and she later worked in London. She was best known as Maggie Beare in the television series Mother and Son, which began in 1984 and ran for six seasons. Her films included The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1978) and Lilian's Story (1996), and on stage she played Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest from 1988 to 1992. In 1980 she became a Member of the Order of Australia, and in 2001 she received the TV Week Logie Hall of Fame.
76years old at death
- Born Maitland
- Died Sydney
- Star sign: CancerThe sign runs June 21 to July 22
- Also credited as Ruth Winifred Cracknell
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 19 years1978 to 1997
Every film, newest first
- 1997JoeyIMDb rating 4.8
- 1996Lilian's StoryIMDb rating 6.2
- 1978The Chant of Jimmie BlacksmithIMDb rating 7.3
Genres
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First role
Cracknell began her acting career in radio at AWA recording studios in 1945. A year later, she was appearing in five radio play episodes every week.
Early training
Cracknell trained at the Modern Theatre Players drama school, run by Edna Spilsbury, which she joined in 1943 before resigning from her council job in 1945 to become a professional actress.
A change of course
Cracknell was 27 years old when she departed Australia in 1952, heading to London to work there for a period of two years.
Ruth Cracknell movies on Netflix
Worked with
Ruth Cracknell made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Ed Begley Jr.'s page
Toni Collette's page
Jack Thompson's page
Essie Davis's page
Barry Otto's page
John Flaus's page
Fred SchepisiDirector, 1 film, 1978
All films by Fred Schepisi
Ian BarryDirector, 1 film, 1997
All films by Ian Barry
Jerzy DomaradzkiDirector, 1 film, 1996
All films by Jerzy Domaradzki
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1980 | Member of the Order of Australia | Won | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.