Actress Sylvia Syms dies at the age of 89, her family reveal
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Veteran British actress Sylvia Syms, best known for the films Ice Cold In Alex and Victim, has died at the age of 89, her family said.
The former EastEnders star ‘died peacefully’ early Friday morning at Denville Hall, a London nursing home for those in the entertainment industry.
She was best known for her role as Sister Diana in the 1958 film Ice Cold In Alex, which recounted the Western Desert campaign during World War II.
Her most recent role was in 2019 in the BBC period drama Gentleman Jack as Mrs. Rawson.
A statement from her children, Beatie and Ben Edney, read: ‘Our mother, Sylvia, died peacefully this morning. She has lived an amazing life and she gave us joy and laughter until the very end.
Sylvia Syms, 89, (pictured) has died, her family has announced
His family says he died peacefully. Sylvia is pictured in 1963
‘Just yesterday we were reminiscing together about all our adventures. She will be greatly missed.
“We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Denville Hall for the excellent care they have given our mother over the past year.”
He was born on January 6, 1934 in London. When war broke out in Europe, Sylvia became one of thousands of children evacuated from the capital, moving first to Kent and then, in 1940, to Monmouthshire.
Sylvia was best known for her role as Sister Diana in the 1958 film Ice Cold In Alex, which chronicled the Western Desert campaign during World War II.
Sylvia (right) also appeared alongside the likes of Sir Cliff Richard in Expresso Bongo and before later working with Dame Helen Mirren in the hit film The Queen.
Speaking of being evacuated, she said: “When I was fired, the parents couldn’t go up to the station platform to say goodbye, they had to wave from afar.” It was pretty awful.
She later recalled the trauma of being separated from her family and separated from her mother, who died of a brain tumor when Sylvia was just 12 years old.
“Sending me away from home gave me the impression that I wasn’t loved, which was unfair, but it’s the truth,” she said. “That’s why I became an artist and never stopped working.”
Five-year-old Sylvia shows off her Peace and Plenty dress decorated with fruit and vegetables for a costume contest in Eltham, south-east London, where she grew up.
As a young woman, Sylvia was educated in convent schools before receiving dramatic training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
It was here that his love for the performing arts blossomed and in 1954, that dream came true when he made his stage debut in a production of ‘The Apple Cart’.
The talented star went on to appear in more films, including Ice-Cold in Alex, The Moonraker, and Woman in a Dressing.
And she was nominated for Baftas for Woman in a Robe and Treeless on the Street.
Sylvia also appeared alongside the likes of Sir Cliff Richard in Expresso Bongo and before later working with Dame Helen Mirren in the hit film The Queen, where she starred opposite the Oscar-winning actress as the Queen Mother.
Sylvia worked alongside some of the world’s biggest stars, including Benedict Cumberbatch (right) when they appeared together in ‘Miss Marple’ – Murder is Easy in 2008
And in 2006, he acted alongside Oscar winner Helen Mirren in The Queen, with Sylvia playing the Queen Mother.
Sylvia had a great career, spanning over 60 years. She is pictured, left, at the 2004 premiere of When I’m Dead and again at the 2006 premiere of The Queen.
Pictured with Adam Ant in Joe Orton’s Entertaining Mr Sloane at the Manchester Royal Exchange.
Other big stars Sylvia has acted with include Benedict Cumberbatch, with whom she starred in the 2008 version of ‘Miss Marple’ and Cara Delevingne in the short film Timeless.
And she also took up soap acting, appearing as Olive Woodhouse on EastEnders from 2007 to 2010.
His most recent work includes the BBC’s The Young Ones, a series that follows six celebrities in their 70s and 80s as they try to overcome the problems of aging.
And between 2013 and 2019, Sylvia was the narrator for Talking Pictures on BBC2.
Scrambling with legends: The veteran actress appeared alongside Sir Cliff Richard (left to unveil a Blue Heritage Foundation plaque, to the late Sir John Mills at his former home in Denham, Buckinghamshire in 2006
Sylvia Syms, center, with actor’s daughter Beatie Edney and son Ben Edney. Grieving siblings announced the death of her mother on Friday, saying she died “peacefully” at the age of 89.
The glamorous Sylvia appears in 1957 before flying from London airport to Berlin for the Film Festival there, in which her image Woman in a Dressing Gown was shown as the official British entry.
The tributes have already started pouring in, with heartbroken fans saying they are devastated to learn of the beloved star’s death.
Stuart Antony, who starred in EastEnders, tweeted: ‘Saddened to hear the wonderful Sylvia Syms has passed away aged 89. She was truly lovely every time I saw her. What a loss – RIP x.’
Fellow actor Scot Williams added: ‘Rest in peace, Sylvia Syms. When I was a young actor, someone introduced me to her at the Bafta headquarters. “Sylvia, this is Scot Williams,” they said. “Oh, I know exactly who he is,” Sylvia said. I felt so empowered by her. She made me feel that my work was appreciated. Spirit #Rip. X’
One fan tweeted: “Dear Sylvia Syms gone to the big movie theater in the sky Sylvia we promise to keep your memory alive and thinking of your family and friends at such a sad time rest in peace dear lady.”
Another follower added: ‘RIP #SylviaSyms such a wonderfully brilliant actress turning her hand into so many wonderful roles!’
Sylvia was later made an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2007. The actress is pictured collecting her honor from the late Queen at a service at Buckingham Palace.
Sylvia, wearing a lace headdress, leaving after her wedding to her childhood sweetheart, Mr Alan Edney, at St Paul’s Church, Onslow Square, London in 1956
Sylvia married her childhood sweetheart Alan Edney at St Paul’s Church, Onslow Square, London, in 1956.
The couple stayed together until 1989 and had two children, Beatie, 60, and Benjamin.
Despite being a mother, Sylvia managed to maintain an amazing work ethic and continued in the entertainment industry for 60 years.
Some fans felt that he deserved more recognition for his achievements.
In 2007 he received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II, but that was for his charity work rather than his acting.
“I’m really not lady material,” she said in an interview with The Guardian. An Oscar is very useful if you want to be a lady.