Joan Cooper was an English actress who is best known for her roles in Dad’s Army, The Ruling Class, and Ben Travers’ Farces. Born on May 27, 1922, in Birmingham, England, she passed away on July 1, 1989, in Hayfield, Derbyshire.
Personal and Family Life
Joan Cooper was married twice; first to Richard Gatehouse from March 1941 until their divorce in November 1947, and later to Arthur Lowe from January 10, 1948, until his death on April 15, 1982. She had two children with Gatehouse, David and Jane, who died in infancy, and one son, Stephen, with her second husband. Joan often appeared in small roles alongside her husband in various productions, as Arthur frequently advocated for her to be cast.
Death and Legacy
Joan Cooper passed away due to stomach cancer on July 1, 1989. Her work remains a part of television history, especially noted for her contributions to the beloved series Dad’s Army. Alongside her artistic legacy, her personal struggles, including alcoholism, echoed similar challenges faced by her husband, Arthur Lowe.
Filmography
| Title | Year | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Don’t Wait Up | 1985 | Mrs. Marriott | TV Series |
| Snow White Live | 1980 | Dancer | TV Movie |
| Sweet William | 1980 | Aunt Bee | Film |
| Dad’s Army | 1969–1977 | Dolly Godfrey / Miss Fortescue / Miss Baker | TV Series |
| The Bawdy Adventures of Tom Jones | 1976 | Nellie | Film |
| The Ruling Class | 1972 | Nurse Brice | Film |
| Ben Travers’ Farces | 1970 | Gertrude Twine | TV Series |
| Softly Softly: Task Force | 1970 | Miss Dobson | TV Series |
| It All Goes to Show | 1969 | ? | Short |
| The Newcomers | 1968 | Mrs. Pritchard | TV Series |
| A Man of Our Times | 1968 | Elderly writer | TV Series |
| This Man Craig | 1966 | Isabel / Ina Paton | TV Series |