Lynda Bellingham
Known for Acting · 64 credits
- Born
- 1948-05-31
- Died
- 2014-10-19
- Place of birth
- Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Biography
Lynda Bellingham played many roles during her five-decade professional career, but became synonymous with one. "Being a mum making gravy was not quite how I had seen my career advancing," she said once. But between 1983 and 1999 that's what she did in 42 "episodes" of an award-winning TV ad. Since the early 1980s, her name was rarely mentioned in print without it being prefaced with "Oxo mum".
During her career, though, she starred on TV as the vet's wife Helen Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small in the 80s and as one of two divorcees trying to forge a relationship in the 90s sitcom Second Thoughts, opposite James Bolam. On stage she was best known for playing the lead in a touring production of Calendar Girls between 2008 and 2012. She was also, for four years between 2007 and 2011, a regular member of the team on Loose Women, the daytime TV chat show. She had few regrets about how her career turned out, summarising its trajectory thus on her website: "Arrived in London at the Central School [for Speech and Drama] in 1966 and never looked back. I had a ball!"
Bellingham, though, knew that gravy, like Lady Macbeth's damned spot, left an indelible mark. "In many ways I was very proud of what we did, but there is no doubt that my credibility as an actress was knocked," she reflected. "Certain people in the industry would never employ me as a serious actress after it. On the other hand, it gave me the financial security to go off and work in the theatre for very little money." Her performances as Mrs Oxo were reportedly responsible for a 10% increase in stock cube sales.
Known For
TV Shows (44)
Midsomer Murders
1997
as Jane Willows
Casualty
1986
as Steph Yates
Doctor Who
1963
as The Inquisitor
Wogan
1982
as Self
Z-Cars
1962
Loose Women
1999
as Self
Screen Two
1985
as Mary Morris
The Professionals
1977
as Betty Hope
New Tricks
2004
The Sweeney
1975
as Nancy King
Waking the Dead
2001
as Mary Mantel
An Audience with...
1978
as Self
All Creatures Great and Small
1978
as Helen Herriot
The Alan Titchmarsh Show
2007
as Self
Blake's 7
1978
as Vena
Robin Hood
2006
Angels
1975
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969
as Nurse Mary Tiller
Shoestring
1979
as Nicola
The Last Detective
2003
Surprise, Surprise
1984
as Self
Second Thoughts
1991
as Faith
Murder in Suburbia
2004
as Milly Goodman
This Morning
1988
as Self
Gibberish
1992
One Life
2003
All Star Mr & Mrs
2008
The Misfit
1970
as Wee Jeannie
Bonkers
2007
Faith in the Future
1995
Cottage to Let
1977
as Barbara
At Home with the Braithwaites
2000
as Pauline Farnell
Martin Chuzzlewit
1994
as Mrs Lupin
Junior Masterchef
1994
Mackenzie
1980
as Ruth Isaacs
Filthy Rich & Catflap
1987
as Ms Tomkins
Funny Man
1981
as Gwen
Odd One In
2010
Don't Forget to Write!
1977
as Angela
Yus, My Dear
1976
as Carol
Mister Eleven
2009
as Shirley
Tell Tarby
1973
as Nurse Norma Snockers
The Pink Medicine Show
1978
Reach for the Moon
2000
as Penny Martin
Movies (20)
Celebrity Naked Ambition
2003
as Self (archive footage)
The Vision
1987
as Mary Morris
Doctor Who: Mindwarp
1986
as The Inquisitor
Doctor Who: Terror of the Vervoids
1986
as The Inquisitor
Confessions of a Driving Instructor
1976
as Mary Truscott
Sweeney!
1977
as Janice Wyatt
The Romanovs: A Crowned Family
2000
as Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna
Hey, Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh
1998
Stand up, Virgin Soldiers
1977
as Valerie
The Long Bank Holiday
2004
as Councillor Marjorie Balsam
Don't Go Breaking My Heart
1999
as Maxine
Doctor Who: The Ultimate Foe
1986
as The Inquisitor
Too Close for Comfort
2012
as Mum
Devil's Gate
2004
as Marlene
Bodywork
2001
as Poppy Fields
The Scarlet Tunic
1998
as Emily Marlowe
Riding High
1981
as Miss Mott
An Audience with Ronnie Corbett
1997
The Waterloo Bridge Handicap
1978
as Likely Lady (Miss Beamish)
Doctor Who: The Mysterious Planet
1986
as The Inquisitor
About Lynda Bellingham
Lynda Bellingham played many roles during her five-decade professional career, but became synonymous with one. "Being a mum making gravy was not quite how I had seen my career advancing," she said once. But between 1983 and 1999 that's what she did in 42 "episodes" of an award-winning TV ad. Since the early 1980s, her name was rarely mentioned in print without it being prefaced with "Oxo mum". During her career, though, she starred on TV as the vet's wife Helen Herriot in All Creatures Great and Small in the 80s and as one of two divorcees try… With 64 credits spanning from 1962 to 2012, Lynda Bellingham has appeared in 20 films and 44 TV shows.
Fans searching for Lynda Bellingham movies, Lynda Bellingham filmography, or the latest projects starring Lynda Bellingham can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Lynda Bellingham Movies
- Celebrity Naked Ambition (2003) — as Self (archive footage)
- The Vision (1987) — as Mary Morris
- Doctor Who: Mindwarp (1986) — as The Inquisitor
- Doctor Who: Terror of the Vervoids (1986) — as The Inquisitor
- Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976) — as Mary Truscott
Where to Watch Lynda Bellingham Films
Most Lynda Bellingham movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Lynda Bellingham, check our movies catalogue and browse page.