Gretchen Franklin
Known for Acting · 61 credits
- Born
- 1911-07-07
- Died
- 2005-07-11
- Place of birth
- Covent Garden, London, England, UK
Biography
Born in Covent Garden, West London in 1911, Gretchen Franklin was an English actress and dancer whose showbusiness career spanned over 70 years. She was best known for her role as Ethel Skinner in the long-running BBC 1 soap opera EastEnders. She appeared in the very first episode in 1985 and was a regular in the series until 1988. After this she returned to the show intermittently until 2000 when her character was killed off, allowing Franklin to retire from acting at the age of 89. Born into a theatrical family (her father had a song and dance act, her grandfather was a famous music hall entertainer at the turn of the century and her cousin was Dad's Army star Clive Dunn) Gretchen Franklin made her theatre debut as a teenage chorus girl. She toured with comedians such as Gracie Fields before making the switch to serious acting. Her film appearances included Cloak Without Dagger (1956), Flame in the Streets (1961), The Murder Game (1965), Help! (1965), How I Won The War (1967), Twisted Nerve (1968), The Night Visitor (1971), The Three Musketeers (1973), Quincy's Quest (1979), and Ragtime (1981), among others. She is namechecked in The Fall's 1990 song Telephone Thing.
Known For
TV Shows (36)
EastEnders
1985
as Ethel Skinner
Z-Cars
1962
Dixon of Dock Green
1955
as Mrs. Walcott
The Sweeney
1975
as Florence, the Charlady
Gideon's Way
1965
as Martha Bray
Blackadder
1983
as Cordelia
Castle Haven
1969
Keeping Up Appearances
1990
as Daddy's Fiance
Sykes
1972
as Bookstall Assistant
Story Parade
1964
as Mrs. Huxtable
Terry and June
1979
as Cath
The Protectors
1972
as Nelly Baxter
Churchill's People
1974
as Mrs Baxter
Rising Damp
1974
as Aunt Maud
Budgie
1971
as Carrie Wetherall
Danger UXB
1979
as Mrs. Flack
Steptoe and Son
1962
as Aunt Daphne
The Scales of Justice
1962
as Rose Jenkins
George and Mildred
1976
as Mother
Hazell
1978
as Pearl
Black and Blue
1973
as Mrs. Pitt
Londoners
1965
as Mrs. Hincastle
I Didn't Know You Cared
1975
as Auntie Lil
The Protectors
1964
as Mrs Bolland
Armchair Theatre
1956
as Miss Julia / Mrs. Chard / Else / Edie Tidy / Mrs. Marriott / Tea Lady
Saturday Playhouse
1958
as Susan Sillsby / Mrs. Wilson / Mrs. Catt
Journey to the Unknown
1968
as Mrs. Barrett
Nicholas Nickleby
1977
as Miss Knag
Quatermass
1979
as Edna
Six Days of Justice
1972
as Annie
The Organization
1972
as Edna
A Slight Case Of...
1965
Dead Ernest
1982
The Artful Dodger
1959
Bowler
1973
Bowler
1973
as Mrs Bowler
Movies (25)
The Three Musketeers
1973
as D’Artagnan’s Mother
The Four Musketeers
1974
as D'Artagnan's Mother (archive footage) (uncredited)
Twisted Nerve
1968
as Clarkie
How I Won the War
1967
as 2nd Old Lady
The Night Visitor
1971
as Mrs. Hansen
Subterfuge
1968
as Bus Conductress
Ragtime
1981
as Elderly Woman
The Man Who Came to Die
1965
as Mrs. Marriott
Flame in the Streets
1961
as Mrs. Bingham
Cloak Without Dagger
1956
as Emmie
The Secret Place
1957
as Mother (uncredited)
Help!
1965
as Neighbour
The One and Only Phyllis Dixey
1978
as Phyllis's Dresser
Before I Wake
1955
as Elsie
Secrets
1973
as Mrs. Pitt
Return to Waterloo
1984
as Woman on Train
The Murder Game
1965
as Landlady
The Silent Playground
1963
as Mrs. Elgin
The High Terrace
1956
as Mrs. Webb
Trottie True
1949
as Martha (uncredited)
The Poet
1960
as Erminia
The Company Man
1970
as Tea Lady
Ticket to Paradise
1961
as Mrs. Higginbottom
Quincy's Quest
1979
as Witch
The Trouble with Our Ivy
1961
as Mrs. Chard
About Gretchen Franklin
Born in Covent Garden, West London in 1911, Gretchen Franklin was an English actress and dancer whose showbusiness career spanned over 70 years. She was best known for her role as Ethel Skinner in the long-running BBC 1 soap opera EastEnders. She appeared in the very first episode in 1985 and was a regular in the series until 1988. After this she returned to the show intermittently until 2000 when her character was killed off, allowing Franklin to retire from acting at the age of 89. Born into a theatrical family (her father had a song and dan… With 61 credits spanning from 1949 to 1990, Gretchen Franklin has appeared in 25 films and 36 TV shows.
Fans searching for Gretchen Franklin movies, Gretchen Franklin filmography, or the latest projects starring Gretchen Franklin can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Gretchen Franklin Movies
- The Three Musketeers (1973) — as D’Artagnan’s Mother
- The Four Musketeers (1974) — as D'Artagnan's Mother (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Twisted Nerve (1968) — as Clarkie
- How I Won the War (1967) — as 2nd Old Lady
- The Night Visitor (1971) — as Mrs. Hansen
Where to Watch Gretchen Franklin Films
Most Gretchen Franklin 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 Gretchen Franklin, check our movies catalogue and browse page.