Carmen Silvera

Infobox actor
name = Carmen Silvera


imagesize = 75px
caption = Silvera as Edith Artois in "'Allo 'Allo"
birthname = Carmen Blanche Silvera
birthdate = birth date|1922|6|2|df=y
birthplace = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
deathdate = death date and age|2002|8|3|1922|6|2|df=y
deathplace = Denville Hall, Northwood, London, England
occupation = Actress
yearsactive = 1962-2001
spouse = John Cunliffe (divorced)

Carmen Blanche Silvera (2 June 1922 - 3 August 2002) was a Canadian-born English comic actress of Spanish descent who moved to Coventry with her family when she was a child.

Silvera was possibly best known for her starring role in the British TV comedy "'Allo 'Allo!" as Edith Artois.

During the World War II, Silvera was evacuated to Montreal and narrowly escaped death when, at the last minute, her name was taken off the passenger list of a troopship that was sunk by the enemy shortly afterwards, drowning 350 children. In Canada, she took classes with the Ballet Russes and appeared in three of its productions. On her return to Britain, she felt called to acting and trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, before gaining experience in repertory theatre.http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/carmen-silvera-638905.html]

Carmen Silvera first made her name as a television actress in the 1960s British police drama "Z Cars" in 1962, going on to appear in the BBC soap opera "Compact" from 1964 to 1965. She played Mrs Van Schuyler in "Lillie" in 1978, ITV's drama series about the future Edward VII's mistress, Lillie Langtry.

She appeared twice in "Doctor Who", in the episodes "The Celestial Toymaker" as Clara the Clown, Mrs. Wiggs, and the Queen of Hearts, and as Ruth in "Invasion of the Dinosaurs". She also appeared in the "Dad's Army" episode "Mum's Army" as Mrs Gray, the love-interest for Captain Mainwaring.

She appeared with Ted Rogers at the New Wimbledon Theatre in 1997 in Jimmy Perry's stage musical "That's Showbiz". Her West End stage appearances included roles in "Waters of the Moon", starring Ingrid Bergman, "Hobson's Choice" with Penelope Keith, "A Coat of Varnish" and "School for Wives", which was directed by Peter Hall. She also played a grandmother in the 1997 film "La Passione". [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/carmen-silvera-638905.html] and had roles in "Keep It Up Downstairs" (1976), Mrs Berkley in "On The Game", and in the American film "Clinic Exclusive".

In 1990, she was the subject of a "This Is Your Life" television programme. She did charity work for the Grand Order of Lady Ratlings, the ladies branch of the Grand Order of Water Rats.

A smoker, Silvera died of lung cancer.

References

External links

*
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/showbiz/2171839.stm BBC News item on Silvera's death]
* [http://home.btconnect.com/howejam/dadsarmy/news_archive/2002_08_news.htm Carmen Silvera on the "Dad's Army" News Archive]
* [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/carmen-silvera-638905.html Silvera's obituary in The Independent]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2002/aug/06/guardianobituaries.arts Silvera's obituary in The Guardian]

Persondata
NAME = Silvera, Carmen
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Actor
DATE OF BIRTH = 2 June 1922
PLACE OF BIRTH = Toronto, Canada
DATE OF DEATH = 3 August 2002
PLACE OF DEATH = Denville Hall, Northwood, Middlesex, England