Portrait of Liz Smith

Liz Smith

Acting

Biography

Betty Gleadle (December 11, 1921 – December 24, 2016), known by the stage name Liz Smith, was an English character actress, known for her roles in BBC sitcoms, including as Annie Brandon in I Didn't Know You Cared (1975–1979), the sisters Bette and Belle in 2point4 Children (1991–1999), Letitia Cropley in The Vicar of Dibley (1994–1996) and Norma Speakman ("Nana") in The Royle Family (1998–2000, 2006). She also played Zillah in Lark Rise to Candleford (2008) and won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the 1984 film A Private Function.

Born: December 11, 1921

Place of Birth: Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Filmography

2008
City of Ember

as Granny

2008
Flick

as Ma

2006
The Magic Flute

as The Old Papagena

2005
Keeping Mum

as Mrs. Parker

2005
Oliver Twist

as Old Woman

2005
Dead Cool

as Liz

2005
2004
Nero

as Soothsayer

2004
Imperium: Nero

as Sacrilega

2003
Anna Spud

as Gran

2002
2000
Donovan Quick

as Granny

2000
1999
A Christmas Carol

as Mrs. Dilber

1999
Oliver Twist

as Sally

1999
Tube Tales

as Older Lady (segment "Horny")

1999
Tom's Midnight Garden

as Mrs Willows

1999
1998
V.I.P.

as Self - Gossip Columnist

1998
The Royle Family

as Norma 'Nana' Speakman

1998
1996
An Evening with Lily Savage

as Self - Audience Member

1996
Secrets & Lies

as Woman with Cat

1996
Karaoke

as Mrs. Baglin

1995
Queen's Nose

as Grandma

1995
Crapston Villas

as Delia (voice)

1995
Haunted

as Old Gypsy Woman

1994
The Vicar of Dibley

as Letitia Cropley

1994
Doggin' Around

as Mrs. Thompson

1994
Pirates

as Gran

1993
1993
Pretty Princess

as regina madre

1993
1991
Performance

as Anyula

1991
Bottom

as Fortune Teller

1991
1991
2Point4 Children

as Auntie Belle

1990
Cluedo

as Mrs. White

1989
Apartment Zero

as Mary Louise McKinney

1989
1989
1989
Young Charlie Chaplin

as Mrs. Greenwood

1988
High Spirits

as Mrs. Plunkett

1988
1987
When We Are Married

as Mrs Northrop

1987
Little Dorrit

as Mrs. Bangham

1987
Valentine Park

as Mrs. Giles

1987
On the Palm

as Mrs Slatterthwaite

1986
Casualty

as Tillie

1986
1986
Harem

as Mrs. Pendleton

1986
Lovejoy

as Florence

1985
Mann's Best Friends

as Mrs. Anstruther

1984
1984
A Christmas Carol

as Mrs. Dilber

1983
1983
1983
Separate Tables

as Miss Meacham

1983
Fanny Hill

as Mrs. Jones (uncredited)

1982
Trail of the Pink Panther

as Martha Balls (archive footage)

1982
Crystal Gazing

as Lady in Pub

1982
Mike Leigh: Making Plays

as Self (archive footage)

1982
1982
Wogan

as Self

1981
The Monster Club

as Villager

1980
Sir Henry at Rawlinson End

as Lady Phillipa of Staines

1980
The Gentle Touch

as Edna Slater

1980
Murder Rap

as Elfie

1979
Agatha

as Flora

1977
The Duellists

as Fortune Teller

1977
The Stick Up

as Hotel Manageress

1977
Spend Spend Spend

as Keith's Granny

1976
1976
Ripping Yarns

as Mrs. Bag

1975
1975
I Didn't Know You Cared

as Annie Brandon

1975
Breath

as Mrs. Pritchett

1975
The Sweeney

as Mrs. Davies

1974
Taking Leave

as Confused Lady

1973
Jack Point

as Mrs. Matthews

1973
Hard Labour

as Mrs. Thornley

1973
1972
Crown Court

as Mrs. Fowkes

1971
Bleak Moments

as Pat's Mother

1970
Play for Today

as Mrs. Thornley

1970
Play for Today

as Mrs. Mathews

1970
Play for Today

as Mrs. Pritchett

1970
Play for Today

as Mrs. Oxfam

1970
Play for Today

as Keith's Granny

1970
1970
Leo the Last

as Raving Tenant (uncredited)

1969
In Loving Memory

as Hilda Pardoe

1956
Tony Awards

as Self (archive footage)