Obituary: Jay North, actor
Jay North appeared in many TV shows but it was his first, as a 6-year-old, which made his name. A Hollywood native, North's photogenic looks and his mother's connections secured him a brief appearance on his favourite programme. Spotted by an agent, North was signed up the next day. After a handful of small parts North auditioned for the part of mischief maker Dennis in a planned TV adaptation of Hank Ketcham's cartoon strip Dennis the Menace. It did not go well but his agent negotiated a call back, which he aced. North played Dennis for four seasons starting in 1959, but as an adult revealed it was not always a pleasant experience: he had to work long hours and his aunt, who was minding him, was harsh on him. Later North appeared on TV in shows including The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The Lucy Show, My Three Sons, Lassie and The Simpsons, as well as movie credits, but was never re-discovered. Jay North died on April 6 aged 73. — APL/agencies
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Otago Daily Times
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- Otago Daily Times
Obituary: Jean Marsh, actress
Jean Marsh in a publicity portrait for the British TV drama series, Upstairs, Downstairs, ITV, 1976. Jean Marsh and close friend and collaborator Dame Eileen Atkins created not one but two hit TV series, Upstairs Downstairs and The House Of Eliott. While different in subject matter — the former focused on the servants quarters of an Edwardian home while the latter told the tale of sisters who established a fashion house in the 1920s, each shared female starring roles, great scripts and exceptional acting. Marsh was born in London but raised in Stoke Newington. She left school at 15 to train as a dancer, before building a career in repertory theatre as an actress. Her big break came in 1959 when she appeared on Broadway with John Gielgud in his production of Much Ado About Nothing. That same year she moved into television and during the 1960s appeared in such shows as The Saint and Doctor Who. Marsh had a long association with Doctor Who: as well as being married to the third Doctor, Jon Pertwee, for five years, Marsh played Joan of England in The Crusade; Sara Kingdom, a companion of the First Doctor; and was a villain opposite the Seventh Doctor. Upstairs Downstairs first aired in 1971, and its five series earned two Bafta awards and Marsh won an Emmy for best actress. At its peak, viewership exceeded 18 million. The House of Eliott (1991-94), which the duo produced, proved equally as popular, rating highly and selling worldwide. In 2010 Marsh and Atkins remade Upstairs Downstairs, in which Marsh reprised her role as parlourmaid Rose Buck, but the show was overshadowed by another period blockbuster Downton Abbey. It was cancelled after its second season. Her film credits included Cleopatra (1963), The Eagle Has Landed, Return To Oz and Willow. Jean Marsh was made an OBE in 2012. She died on April 13 aged 90. — APL/agencies
Otago Daily Times
29-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Makeup event to be staged after rain stops carnival
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Otago Daily Times
29-06-2025
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Obituary: Fred Graham, artist
Fred Graham's service to Māori art dates back to the 1950s. Photo: RNZ/supplied Respected artist Fred Graham remained relevant right up until the end: a major new sculpture, Te Manu Rangimaarie, was unveiled at Taupiri just before his death. Graham (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura) had also just been chosen as one of the New Zealand artists to be part of this year's Venice Biennale international exhibition. Graham was born in South Waikato and was a talented rugby player, appearing three times for New Zealand Māori. He trained as a teacher and balanced education and art for most of his career. In 1966, he was a key figure in organising an exhibition of contemporary Māori painting and sculptures, with the likes of Cliff Whiting and Paratene Matchitt. Graham's sculptures are displayed around New Zealand and also in several overseas galleries. Graham was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori art in 2018, and later that year he was named an Arts Foundation Icon. In the 2025 New Year Honours, Graham was promoted to Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. He is survived by his children Gary, Brett, a successful sculptor and artist, and Kathryn, a television and podcast producer. Fred Graham died on May 9 aged 96. — APL/agencies
