Ann Way
Born: 1915-11-14 in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England, UK
Died: 1993-03-13
Known For: Acting
Biography
Ann Way (14 November 1915 – 13 March 1993) was an English film and television character actress. Born in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, she began her career in repertory in Birmingham in the 1950s moving from there to the Dundee Rep. Her petite build and deep-set eyes saw her frequently typecast as a stereotypically dotty or timid and mouse-like spinster. She nonetheless appeared in a wide range of roles, including the television series Dr Finlay's Casebook, Emmerdale Farm where she played an aunt of publican and newspaper correspondent Amos Brearly, Fawlty Towers (where she memorably played the Colonel's wife inadvertently served the raw red mullet in "Gourmet Night") and Rumpole of the Bailey as Dodo Mackintosh. She played the vicar's wife in Last of the Summer Wine. She also read the Mrs. Pepperpot books on the children's series Jackanory. Film roles included Carry On Loving (1970), Endless Night (1972) and Clockwise (1986) (in which she sang the Vivian Ellis standard This is my Lovely Day on the soundtrack and made comic use of the repeated line "Aren't we all such lucky people") and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) (where she played the headmistress's secretary, Miss Gaunt). A more unusual role was the 1987 short film Unusual Ground Floor Conversion in which she played an old lady gradually driving her downstairs neighbour mad by throwing water out of her window every few minutes. Way died in London, England on 13 March 1993.
Filmography
1993
- Anchoress as Alice
1992
- Once Upon a Crime as Housekeeper
1991
- How's Business as Miss Jolly
1989
- Killing Dad (Or How to Love Your Mother) as Margot
- Close to Home as Mrs Crosby
1988
- The Dawning as George Brabazon
- The Modern World: Ten Great Writers as Old Woman
- Dead Lucky as Lena Finn
1987
- Crystalstone as Housekeeper
1986
- Clockwise as Mrs. Way
- Lovejoy as Mrs Thomas
- Haunted Honeymoon as Rachel
- David Copperfield as Mrs Heep
1985
- Brazil as Old Lady with Dog
1984
1983
- The Dresser as Miss White
1982
- The Pigman's Protege as Gregoria Windy
1981
- Bread or Blood as Mrs Tucker
1980
- Little Lord Fauntleroy as Miss Smith
1979
- Shoestring
- Whinfrey's Last Case as Old Lady (Lotte)
1978
- All Creatures Great and Small as Matilda Dunn
- The Sailor's Return as Mrs Clall
- The Clifton House Mystery as Mrs. Rowley
1977
- Mind Your Language as Mrs Hunter
1975
- Rumpole of the Bailey as Dodo Mackintosh
- Fawlty Towers as Mrs. Hall
1974
- Playhouse as Georgina Windy
1972
- Endless Night as Mrs. Philpott
1970
- The Goodies
- Carry On Loving as Aunt Victoria Grubb
- Shadows of Fear as Miss Wills
1969
- The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie as Miss Gaunt
- Castle Haven
1968
- The Jazz Age as Mrs. Prescott
1967
- All Gas and Gaiters as Mrs Plummer
1966
- King of the River as Judy
1964
- Theatre 625 as Mrs Winstanley