Hattie Jacques, born Jacqueline Edwina Jaques (7th February 1922 — 6th October 1980) was a comic British actress, known for her appearances in the Carry On franchise and her vast career as a radio star.
Jacques didn't begin her acting career until the late 1940s. She trained as a nurse and became a matron to war hospitals during the Second World War, but later she tried out for theatre and appeared in pantomimes and other stage productions. At this point, she gained the nickname "Hattie", because some actors called her a Caucasian Hattie McDaniel (who was Mammy in Gone with the Wind), and she used if for the rest of her career.
She made her first film appearance in 1946 in an uncredited role in Green for Danger and appeared the 1948 adaptation of Oliver Twist. She also joined the Vic Theatre Company and appeared on radio in bit roles. Becoming a well-known voice in the 1950s led to her appearing in the weekly radio series Educating Archie alongside future collaborators Tony Hancock and Eric Sykes, later appearing in Hancock's Half Hour with Sid James and Kenneth Williams, and The Goon Show, whilst appearing on stage in many productions with Terry-Thomas. In 1949, she married fellow actor John Le Mesurier, and had two sons with him. The two divorced in 1965.
In 1958, Jacques made a cameo in Carry On, Sergeant, which led to her appearing in the Carry On film series 14 times in total. She mostly portrayed matron characters, which led to her being the Ur-Example of Battleaxe Nurse in British media, but she also had caring roles as well, and made frequent appearances in the TV specials. On television, she featured in Charley's Grants, Eric Sykes' series Sykes and a... and Sykes, and several other comedy shows and films.
Outside of the show business world, Jacques suffered from health problems. She struggled to lose weight and would often diet, achieving brief success before ballooning back even worse. She later suffered from arthritis and had tension with Sykes, who would often get frustrated at her performances and lack of awareness during filming. Jacques struggled to walk without pain in her legs from ulcers and was advised in the late 1970s not to travel far from her home. She died from a heart attack in 1980 after breathing problems and a deteriorating kidney.
Works on TV Tropes she appeared in:
Films
- Green for Danger (1946) — Radio Announcer (uncredited)
- Oliver Twist (1948) — Singer at Three Cripples
- Scrooge (1951) — Mrs. Fezziwig
- Carry On, Sergeant (1958) — Captain Clark
- Carry On Nurse (1959) — Matron
- Carry On Teacher (1959) — Miss Grace Short
- Carry On Constable (1960) — Sergeant Laura Moon
- Watch Your Stern (1960) — Miss Agatha Potter
- Carry On Regardless (1961) — Sister
- The Punch and Judy Man (1963) — Dolly Zarathusa (Uncredited Role)
- Carry On Cabby (1963) — Peg Hawkins
- The Bobo (1967) — Trinity Martinez
- Carry On Doctor (1968) — Lavinia, the Matron
- Carry On Camping (1969) — Miss Haggerd
- Carry On Again Doctor (1969) — Miss Soaper, the Matron
- The Magic Christian (1969) — Ginger Horton
- Carry On Loving (1970) — Sophie Bliss
- Carry On at Your Convenience (1971) — Beattie Plummer
- Carry On Matron (1972) — Matron
- Carry On Abroad (1972) — Floella
- Carry On Dick (1974) — Miss Martha Hoggett
- Hancock's Half Hour (1957-59) — Gertrude/Lady Chatterley/Countess Olga Romanoff/Miss Grizelda Pugh/Baroness Helen de Cordova/Mrs. Witherspoon/Amorous Lady
- Jackanory (1966-67) — Storyteller
- Carry On Christmas (1969-72) — Bemused Passer-By/Sister Hattie/Elizabeth Barrett/Fiona Clodhopper/Miss Harriet/Miss Molly Coddles/Fairy Godmother
- Inside George Webley (1970) — Mavis Butterfield
- Charley's Grants (1970) — Miss Manger
- Doctor at Large (1971) — Mrs. Askley
- Sykes (1972-79) — Hattie Sykes
- Carry on Laughing! (1975) — Queen Elizabeth I
