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Liz Smith

Liz Smith

Known For Acting
Birthday Dec 11, 1921
Died Dec 24, 2016 (95)
Birthplace Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, England, UK
Popularity 6 (history)
Updated Jun 15, 2025 (Update)
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
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 Crop ... ley 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.

Known For

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Profile
Profile
Filmography

Flick

Flick

2008

as Ma

City of Ember

City of Ember

2008

as Granny

The Queen of Sheba

The Queen of Sheba

2006

as Norma Speakman

The Magic Flute

The Magic Flute

2006

as The Old Papagena

Keeping Mum

Keeping Mum

2005

as Mrs. Parker

Dead Cool

Dead Cool

2005

as Liz

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

2005

as Grandma Georgina

Oliver Twist

Oliver Twist

2005

as Old Woman

Nero

Nero

2004

as Soothsayer

Anna Spud

Anna Spud

2003

as Gran

A Good Thief

A Good Thief

2002

as Lizzie

Donovan Quick

Donovan Quick

2000

as Granny

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

2000

as Joyce

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

1999

as Mrs Dilber

Tom's Midnight Garden

Tom's Midnight Garden

1999

as Mrs Willows

Tube Tales

Tube Tales

1999

as Older Lady (segment "Horny")

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

1999

as Miss Lory

Anthrakitis

Anthrakitis

1998

as Dolly

The Revengers' Comedies

The Revengers' Comedies

1998

as Winnie

Keep the Aspidistra Flying

Keep the Aspidistra Flying

1997

as Mrs Meakin

Secrets & Lies

Secrets & Lies

1996

as Woman with Cat

Haunted

Haunted

1995

as Old Gypsy Woman

Doggin' Around

Doggin' Around

1994

as Mrs. Thompson

Son of the Pink Panther

Son of the Pink Panther

1993

as Marta Balls

Dakota Road

Dakota Road

1992

as Joan Benson

Nona

Nona

1991

as Anyula

Words of Love

Words of Love

1989

as Gran

Apartment Zero

Apartment Zero

1989

as Mary Louise McKinney

Bert Rigby, You're a Fool

Bert Rigby, You're a Fool

1989

as Mrs. Rigby

We Think the World of You

We Think the World of You

1988

as Millie

High Spirits

High Spirits

1988

as Mrs. Plunkett

Jake's Journey

Jake's Journey

1988

as Witch

When We Are Married

When We Are Married

1987

as Mrs Northrop

Little Dorrit

Little Dorrit

1987

as Mrs. Bangham

Harem

Harem

1986

as Mrs. Pendleton

A Private Function

A Private Function

1984

as Mother

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

1984

as Mrs. Dilber

Separate Tables

Separate Tables

1983

as Miss Meacham

Fanny Hill

Fanny Hill

1983

as Mrs. Jones (uncredited)

Curse of the Pink Panther

Curse of the Pink Panther

1983

as Marta Balls

Britannia Hospital

Britannia Hospital

1982

as Maisie

Trail of the Pink Panther

Trail of the Pink Panther

1982

as Martha Balls (archive footage)

Mike Leigh: Making Plays

Mike Leigh: Making Plays

1982

as (Archive Material)

The French Lieutenant's Woman

The French Lieutenant's Woman

1981

as Mrs. Fairley

The Monster Club

The Monster Club

1981

as Villager

Murder Rap

Murder Rap

1980

as Elfie

Sir Henry at Rawlinson End

Sir Henry at Rawlinson End

1980

as Lady Phillipa of Staines

Agatha

Agatha

1979

as Flora

Spend Spend Spend

Spend Spend Spend

1977

as Keith's Granny

The Stick Up

The Stick Up

1977

as Hotel Manageress

The Duellists

The Duellists

1977

as Fortune Teller

It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow

It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow

1975

as Vi Bell

Breath

Breath

1975

as Mrs. Pritchett

Keep an Eye on Albert

Keep an Eye on Albert

1975

as Mrs. Oxfam

Taking Leave

Taking Leave

1974

as Confused Lady

Hard Labour

Hard Labour

1973

as Mrs. Thornley

Jack Point

Jack Point

1973

as Mrs. Matthews

Bleak Moments

Bleak Moments

1971

as Pat's Mother

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Organization Category Movie
Television Credits

I Didn't Know You Cared

as Annie Brandon

Episodes: 27

First Aired: Aug 27, 1975

The Royle Family

as Norma 'Nana' Speakman

Episodes: 20

First Aired: Sep 14, 1998

Crapston Villas

as Delia (voice)

Episodes: 20

First Aired: Oct 27, 1995

Pirates

as Gran

Episodes: 18

First Aired: Oct 06, 1994

The Vicar of Dibley

as Letitia Cropley

Episodes: 14

First Aired: Nov 10, 1994

Valentine Park

as Mrs. Giles

Episodes: 12

First Aired: Jun 19, 1987

Lark Rise to Candleford

as Zillah

Episodes: 10

First Aired: Jan 13, 2008

2Point4 Children

as Bette

Episodes: 10

First Aired: Sep 03, 1991

Takin' Over the Asylum

as Harriet

Episodes: 6

First Aired: Sep 27, 1994

Cluedo

as Mrs. White

Episodes: 6

First Aired: Jul 25, 1990

Mann's Best Friends

as Mrs. Anstruther

Episodes: 6

First Aired: Apr 15, 1985

Oliver Twist

as Sally

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Nov 28, 1999

The Life and Loves of a She-Devil

as Mrs. Fisher

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Oct 08, 1986

Karaoke

as Mrs. Baglin

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Apr 28, 1996

Mr. Right

as Gran

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Jan 04, 1983

Nicholas Nickleby

as Peg Sliderskew

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Mar 27, 1977

Imperium: Nero

as Sacrilega

Episodes: 2

First Aired: May 23, 2004

In Loving Memory

as Hilda Pardoe

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Nov 04, 1969

The Sweeney

as Mrs. Davies

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 02, 1975

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles

as Delfina

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 04, 1992

Bottom

as Fortune Teller

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 17, 1991

Lovejoy

as Florence

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 10, 1986

Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime

as Hannah Macpherson

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 09, 1983

Young Charlie Chaplin

as Mrs. Greenwood

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 25, 1989

Bedtime Stories

as Miss Long

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 03, 1974

The Ruth Rendell Mysteries

as Lena Finn

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 02, 1987

Crown Court

as Mrs. Fowkes

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 11, 1972

Last of the Summer Wine

as Housekeeper

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 04, 1973

2Point4 Children

as Auntie Belle

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 03, 1991

Ripping Yarns

as Mrs. Bag

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 07, 1976

Casualty

as Tillie

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 06, 1986

El C.I.D.

as Mildred

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 07, 1990

The Gentle Touch

as Edna Slater

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 11, 1980

Play for Today

as Mrs. Mathews

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 15, 1970

Play for Today

as Elfie

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 15, 1970

Play for Today

as Mrs. Oxfam

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 15, 1970

Play for Today

as Mrs. Thornley

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 15, 1970

Play for Today

as Mrs. Pritchett

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 15, 1970

Play for Today

as Keith's Granny

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 15, 1970

Performance

as Anyula

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 22, 1991

Now And Then

Episodes: 13

First Aired: Jul 24, 1983

Between The Sheets

Episodes: 6

First Aired: Nov 17, 2003

The Bill

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Oct 16, 1984

The Paul O'Grady Show

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Oct 11, 2004

Trial & Retribution

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Oct 19, 1997

Within These Walls

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Jan 04, 1974

The Graham Norton Show

as Self

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Feb 22, 2007

An Audience with...

as Self

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Jan 08, 1978

Shooting Stars

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Dec 27, 1993

Crown Court

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 11, 1972

So Graham Norton

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 03, 1998

V Graham Norton

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: May 06, 2002

Wogan

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: May 04, 1982

It's Only TV But I Like It

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jun 03, 1999

Tony Awards

as Self (archive footage)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 01, 1956

American Masters

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jun 23, 1986

Play for Today

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 15, 1970

V.I.P.

as Self - Gossip Columnist

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 26, 1998

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 6 12 18 8
2024 7 16 28 7
2024 8 13 23 8
2024 9 9 18 5
2024 10 5 8 2
2024 11 4 7 2
2024 12 7 10 3
2025 1 10 21 4
2025 2 5 12 1
2025 3 5 9 1
2025 5 2 2 1
2025 6 1 2 1
2025 7 0 0 0
2025 8 5 12 0

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
No trending metrics available.

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