Damaris Hayman

British actress (1929–2021)

Damaris Ann Kennedy Hayman (16 June 1929 – 3 June 2021) was an English actress, often cast in upper class or eccentric roles. She made numerous performance in films and television series from the 1950s onwards.

Hayman was born in Kensington, London, England, the only child of Percival, a barrister, and Vera Hayman (née Kennedy). The family relocated to Nelson in Lancashire when Hayman was still young before moving again to Cheltenham where Hayman was educated at Cheltenham Ladies' College. Until the age of eighteen, Hayman attended local drama classes before going to the Royal Academy of Music and gaining a qualification in teaching. After repertory work in the theatre, she made her film début in The Belles of St Trinian's (1954) in an uncredited role as a sixth former. The Telegraph obituary writer recalled Hayman, "with her toothy, jolly hockey sticks, quintessentially English persona", sometimes being compared to the female star of that film, Joyce Grenfell. In a touring production of The Importance of Being Earnest she played a parlour maid and was the understudy for Margaret Rutherford, who was cast as Lady Bracknell. The two women became very close and Hayman supported Rutherford in her last years. Predominantly appearing in comedy, Hayman became the foil for many famous comedians including Sid James, Tommy Cooper, Dick Emery, Les Dawson and Morecambe and Wise. Doctor Who, the Television Companion described her character as, "very memorable," and praised Hayman as being "perfectly cast in the role, her engaging performance adding much to the story". as well as appearing in The Liver Birds (1971) and in the 1986 Duty Free Christmas special. Hayman also appeared in many films including Bitter Harvest (1963), Smokescreen (1964), Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965), Mutiny on the Buses (1972), Love Thy Neighbour (1973), Man About the House (1974), Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976) and The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976). She also reprised her role of Miss Hawthorne in the six part straight to DVD drama White Witch of Devil's End (2017) which began production in 2012. Hayman died in Gloucester on 3 June 2021, aged 91.