Who is Wanda Ventham? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In August

Age: 89 Years, 89 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Timothy Carlton (m. 1976), James D. Tabernacle (m. 1957–1974)

mother: Frederick Howard Ventham

siblings: Frances Holtham

children: Benedict Cumberbatch, Tracy Peacock

Actresses British Women

Height: 5'4" (163 cm), 5'4" Females

City: Brighton, England

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1

Where was Wanda Ventham born?

Wanda Ventham was born on August 5, 1935 in Brighton, East Sussex, England.
2

What is Wanda Ventham best known for?

Wanda Ventham is best known for her role as Mrs. Hudson in the TV series "Sherlock."
3

Has Wanda Ventham appeared in any science fiction TV shows?

Yes, Wanda Ventham has appeared in the science fiction TV series "Doctor Who" as Thea Ransome in the episode "Image of the Fendahl."
4

What other famous actor is Wanda Ventham married to?

Wanda Ventham is married to the actor Timothy Carlton, who is known for his work in film, television, and stage productions.
5

In which popular British TV series did Wanda Ventham play a recurring role as Colonel Merridew?

Wanda Ventham played the role of Colonel Merridew in the British TV series "The Saint," starring Roger Moore.

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Women Film & Theater Personalities

Childhood & Early Life

Wanda Ventham was born on August 5, 1935, in Brighton, East Sussex, England, to Frederick Howard Ventham and Gladys Frances. As a teenager, Wanda Ventham always aspired to be an artist, for which she attended art school.

She worked as a scenic painter for the ‘Connaught Theatre’ in Worthing, West Sussex, but her passion for professional theatre made her quit art. To pursue a career in acting, she joined the ‘Central School of Speech and Drama’ and graduated in 1956.

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Career

With her illustrious acting career spawning more than five decades, Wanda Ventham’s first role dates back to the 1950s, where she played the character of ‘Gina’ in the film, ‘My Teenage Daughter’ (1956).In 1959, she was cast in the movie ‘The Navy Lark’ (1959), where she played the role of ‘Mabel’. After this film, she made an appearance in ‘We Joined the Navy’ (1961).

In the 1960s, she appeared in Peter Rogers Productions, playing small roles in some of his sitcoms, such as ‘Carry on Cleo’ (1964), and ‘Carry on up the Khyber’ (1968). In 1961, she was cast alongside Mark Burns in the mystery movie, ‘Death is a Woman’. Some of other notable movies of 1960s in which she acted include ‘Solo for Sparrow’ (1962), ‘The Big Job’(1965), ‘The Knack…and How to Get It’(1965), ‘Death Is a Woman’(1966), ‘The Spy with a Cold Nose’(1966), and ‘Mister Ten Per Cent’ (1967).

She was cast in a British Horror Film, ‘The Blood Beast Terror’ (1968), wherein she played the role of Clare Mallinger. In this film, Wanda Ventham carried out her own stunts and costumed herself as the giant moth monster.

Her big break came in 1974, with the role of Colonel. Virginia Lake, in the British science fiction series ‘UFO’, which was based on a story wherein Earth is invaded by aliens.

While acting in movies, she also did theatre and television with classics like ‘The Saint’, ‘The Likely Lads’, ‘The Avengers’, ‘Z Cars’, ‘A Family at War’ and ‘Crown Court’. Her lead role in the television series, ‘The Lotus Eaters’ (1972-1973) gained her critical acclaim.

Wanda Ventham appeared in three different roles for the classic series ‘Doctor Who’ over three decades playing characters, such as Jean Rock in ‘The Faceless Ones’ (1967), Thea Ransome in ‘Image of the Fendahl’ (1977), and as Faroon in ‘Time and the Rani’ (1987).

From 1989 to 1992, she played a recurring role as Cassandra Trotter's mother Pamela Parry in the sitcom 'Only Fools and Horses'. Her performance in the series was highly lauded.

After decades of retiring from her acting career, Wanda Ventham returned to the small screen in 2014 to play Mrs. Holmes in the T.V. series ‘Sherlock’. Acting alongside, was her real-life husband ‘Tim Carlton’ and real-life son ‘Benedict Cumberbatch’ who plays the lead role of Sherlock Holmes.

Major Works

Wanda Ventham is best known for her brilliant portrayal of Colonel Virginia Lake in science-fiction television series ‘UFO’ and for her stupendous performance in the sitcom ‘Only Fools and Horses’

Awards & Achievement

In 2014, Wanda Ventham was featured by ‘People’ magazine in its "Most Beautiful People in the World" edition.

Personal Life & Legacy

Wanda Ventham got married to her first husband, James Tabernacle in 1957, they had one daughter, Tracy, from that marriage. She divorced James on 12 November 1974. She married Timothy Carlton, an English Actor, in 1976. The two had met while filming for the drama series ‘A Family at War’ and had appeared together in the BBC drama ‘The Lotus Eater’ in 1973. The couple has a son, Benedict Cumberbatch, who is also a famous actor.

She has two grandsons- Christopher Carlton Cumberbatch and Hal Auden Cumberbatch, she also has a granddaughter Emily Peacock, mothered by Tracy Peacock, daughter from her first marriage.

Facts About Wanda Ventham

Wanda Ventham is not only a talented actress, but she is also known for her love of animals, particularly her rescue dogs.

In addition to her acting career, Wanda Ventham is a skilled painter and has exhibited her artwork in various galleries.

Wanda Ventham is a keen traveler and has visited many countries around the world, often immersing herself in the local culture and cuisine.

As a dedicated environmentalist, Wanda Ventham actively supports various conservation causes and works to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the planet.

Wanda Ventham has a great sense of humor and enjoys making people laugh with her quick wit and playful personality.

Wanda Ventham Biography

You wanted to know

Where was Wanda Ventham born?

What is Wanda Ventham best known for?

Has Wanda Ventham appeared in any science fiction TV shows?

What other famous actor is Wanda Ventham married to?

In which popular British TV series did Wanda Ventham play a recurring role as Colonel Merridew?