17th May 1918 – 13thJune 1981
Fact File
Joan Benham was born in London a British actress best remembered for playing Lady Prudence Fairfax in the London Weekends' period drama series Upstairs, Downstairs. She was also the first cousin of Hollywood movie actress Olive Sturgess.
Although her career mostly involved television work, she began her career performing on the London stage in the 1940s and continued to appear in the West End now and again.
She worked on Broadway playing the playing the part of Helena in the 1954 revitalisation of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' opposite Patrick Macnee as Demetrius.
In all Joan Benham appeared in sixteen episodes of Upstairs, Downstairs, from Series One to Series Five.
Other television productions included, 'Doctor in the House', 'Doctor in Charge', 'Father Brown', 'The Duchess of Duke Street', 'Doctor on the Go', 'Just William' and 'Take My Wife'. Her film work includse the Miss Marple movie' Murder Ahoy!' (1964),' Ladies Who Do' (1963),' Perfect Friday' (1970), and 'Carry On Emmannuelle' (1978).
Her final role was as Melinda Spry in the light weight sitcom 'Terry and June'. This episode, called ‘The Lawnmower’, was broadcast posthumously on 13th November 1981, five months after the day she had died, in Westminster, London, aged 63.
Related Video
Here she guest stars as Prison vistor 'Cecily Foyce' in an episode of 'Within These Walls' called 'Labour of Love' from Season One transmited on 22nd March 1974
Credits
Terry and June (TV series)
Melinda Spry
– The Lawnmower (1981) … Melinda Spry
1980 The Sun Trap (TV series)
Fiona
– Episode #1.6 (1980) … Fiona
– Episode #1.5 (1980) … Fiona
– Episode #1.4 (1980) … Fiona
– Episode #1.3 (1980) … Fiona
– Episode #1.2 (1980) … Fiona
See all 6 episodes »
1980 Breakaway (TV series)
Hannah Harvey
– The Family Affair (1980) … Hannah Harvey
1979 Take My Wife... (TV series)
Mabel Norrington
– Episode #1.6 (1979) … Mabel Norrington
– Episode #1.5 (1979) … Mabel Norrington
– Episode #1.4 (1979) … Mabel Norrington
– Episode #1.3 (1979) … Mabel Norrington
– Episode #1.2 (1979) … Mabel Norrington
See all 6 episodes »
1978 Carry on Emmannuelle
Cynical Lady
1978 The Greek Tycoon
Lady Allison
1978 Crown Court (TV series)
Mrs. Hooper
– The Jawbone of an Ass: Part 1 (1978) … Mrs. Hooper
1978 Rosie Dixon - Night Nurse
Sister Tutor
1977 Just William (TV series)
Lady Markham
– William the Philanthropist (1977) … Lady Markham
1977 The Upchat Line (TV series)
Lady Rothwell
– Accommodation Address (1977) … Lady Rothwell
1977 Three Piece Suite (TV series)
Lady - Come in No. 1
– Come in, No.1/This Situation/All in the Mind (1977) … Lady - Come in No. 1
1977 Hardcore
Norma Blackhurst
1975-1977 Doctor on the Go (TV series)
Lady Elizabeth Loftus
– Loftus the Terrible (1977) … Lady Elizabeth Loftus
– It's the Thought That Counts (1975) … Lady Elizabeth Loftus
1976 The Duchess of Duke Street (TV series)
Lady Williams
– The Outsiders (1976) … Lady Williams
1976 Happy Ever After (TV series)
Countess of Buckleigh
– It's All in the Title (1976) … Countess of Buckleigh
1971-1975 Upstairs, Downstairs (TV series)
Lady Prudence Fairfax / Lady Prudence
– Whither Shall I Wander? (1975) … Lady Prudence Fairfax
– Alberto (1975) … Lady Prudence Fairfax
– The Nine Days Wonder (1975) … Lady Prudence Fairfax
– Such a Lovely Man (1975) … Lady Prudence Fairfax
– The Joy Ride (1975) … Lady Prudence Fairfax
See all 16 episodes »
1974-1975 Within These Walls (TV series)
Cecily Foyce
– When the Door Opens (1975) … Cecily Foyce
– Labour of Love (1974) … Cecily Foyce
1974 Father Brown (TV series)
Lady Galloway
– The Secret Garden (1974) … Lady Galloway
1974 Melissa (TV series)
Paula Hepburn
– Episode #1.3 (1974) … Paula Hepburn
– Episode #1.2 (1974) … Paula Hepburn
– Episode #1.1 (1974) … Paula Hepburn
1974 Romany Jones (TV series)
Mrs. Thornton
– The Dinner (1974) … Mrs. Thornton
1974 Comedy Playhouse (TV series)
Aunt Cora
– The Reverend Wooing of Archibald (1974) … Aunt Cora
1973 Jackanory Playhouse (TV series)
Fairy godmother
– The Magician's Heart (1973) … Fairy godmother
1972-1973 Doctor in Charge (TV series)
Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus / Lady Elizabeth Loftus
– A Man's Best Friend Is His Cat (1973) … Lady Elizabeth Loftus
– Long Day's Journey Into Knighthood (1972) … Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
– The Rumour (1972) … Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
– Shut Up and Eat What You're Given (1972) … Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
– Climbing the Ladder (1972) … Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
1972 The Befrienders (TV series)
Mrs. Walsh
– Wedding March (1972) … Mrs. Walsh
1972 Both Ends Meet (TV series)
Mrs Templeton-Smythe
– Firm Foundations (1972) … Mrs Templeton-Smythe
1971 Play for Today (TV series)
Margery Frankiss
– Michael Regan (1971) … Margery Frankiss
1971 Tales of Beatrix Potter
Nurse
1971 Six Dates with Barker (TV series)
Mrs. Vaile
– 1937: The Removals Person (1971) … Mrs. Vaile
1970 Perfect Friday
Miss Welsh
1970 W. Somerset Maugham (TV series)
Aunt Louise
– The Human Element (1970) … Aunt Louise
1970 Tarbuck's Luck (TV series)
– Episode #1.1 (1970)
1970 Never a Cross Word (TV series)
Mother
– Murder She Says (1970) … Mother
1969 The Magic Christian
Socialite in Sotheby's
1969 Arthur! Arthur!
Mrs. Payne
1969 Doctor in the House (TV series)
Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
– All for Love... (1969) … Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
1969 Dr. Finlay's Casebook (TV series)
Matron
– The Facts of Life (1969) … Matron
– Conquest (1969) … Matron
– Fresh Worlds (1969) … Matron
1969 ITV Sunday Night Theatre (TV series)
Mrs. Wycherley
– Pig in a Poke (1969) … Mrs. Wycherley
1969 The Ugliest Girl in Town (TV series)
Miss Caruthers
– The Ugliest Boy in Town (1969) … Miss Caruthers
1968 The Limbo Line
Lady Faraday
1968 Ukridge (TV series)
Lady Bastable
– The Home from Home (1968) … Lady Bastable
1967 The Wednesday Play (TV series)
Lady Bondleigh
– An Officer of the Court (1967) … Lady Bondleigh
1967 ITV Playhouse (TV series)
Duchess of Berwick
– Lady Windermere's Fan (1967) … Duchess of Berwick
1967 Armchair Theatre (TV series)
– Compensation Alice (1967)
1967 The Troubleshooters (TV series)
Mrs. Barnes
– Women and Business Never Did Mix (1967) … Mrs. Barnes
1958-1966 ITV Play of the Week (TV series)
Monica Reed / Mrs. Shuttleworth / Perdita Cull / …
– Home and Beauty (1966) … Mrs. Shuttleworth
– A Choice of Coward #1: Present Laughter (1964) … Monica Reed
– Faraway Music (1961) … Ursula
– Gilt and Gingerbread (1961) … Perdita Cull
– A Room with a View (1958)
1966 Mrs Thursday (TV series)
Lady Barker
– You Dont Have to Book Buckingham Palace (1966) … Lady Barker
1966 Pardon the Expression (TV series)
Miss Cavendish
– The Resignation (1966) … Miss Cavendish
1963-1965 No Hiding Place (TV series)
Angela Spenser / Rhoda Lynch
– The Reunion (1965) … Angela Spenser
– Last Flight (1963) … Rhoda Lynch
1965 The Worker (TV series)
Miss Niddy
– The Machinery of Organisation (1965) … Miss Niddy
1964 A Choice of Coward (TV series)
Monica Reed
– Present Laughter (1964) … Monica Reed
1964 Murder Ahoy
Matron Alice Fanbraid
1964 Happily Ever After (TV series)
– Episode #2.4 (1964)
1963 The Wild Affair
Assistant
1963 Ladies Who Do
Miss Pinsent
1963 Tamahine
Mrs. O'Shaugnessy
1963 The V.I.P.s
Miss Potter
1962 I Thank a Fool
Restaurant Manager
1962 Saki (TV mini-series)
Constance Broddle
– Episode #1.8 (1962) … Constance Broddle
1960 The Grass Is Greener
Hairdresser's Receptionist (uncredited)
1960 Hotel Imperial (TV series)
Kate Brett
– Changes in the Staff (1960) … Kate Brett
– The Leopardess in 424 (1960) … Kate Brett
– The Rivals in the Rockingham Suite (1960) … Kate Brett
1959 Desert Mice
Una O'Toole
1959 The Bridal Path
Barmaid
1959 Something in the City (TV series)
Betty Keyes
– Episode #1.5 (1959) … Betty Keyes
– Episode #1.4 (1959) … Betty Keyes
– Episode #1.3 (1959) … Betty Keyes
– Episode #1.2 (1959) … Betty Keyes
– Episode #1.1 (1959) … Betty Keyes
1959 The Crowning Touch
Daphne
1959 The Heart of a Man
Grace (uncredited)
1958 Cinderella (TV movie)
Araminta
1958 The Whole Truth
Party Guest
1958 A Night to Remember
Lottie (uncredited)
1958 My Wife and I (TV series)
The Secretary
1956 It's Great to Be Young!
Wife, \ Girlfriend of Mr Routledge (uncredited)
1956 Dry Rot
Blonde
1956 Loser Takes All
Miss Bullen (uncredited)
1956 Child in the House
Vera McNally
1956 The Adventures of the Big Man (TV series)
Janet
– The Amazon Bandit (1956) … Janet
1955 King's Rhapsody
Countess Astrid
1955 The Man Who Loved Redheads
Chloe
1954 Dance Little Lady (uncredited)
1953 Innocents in Paris
Receptionist (uncredited)
1952 The Pickwick Papers (uncredited)
1949 Maytime in Mayfair
Fashion editress (uncredited)
1938 The Divorce of Lady X
Wearing a blue gown with a large crystal necklace (uncredited)
Melinda Spry
– The Lawnmower (1981) … Melinda Spry
1980 The Sun Trap (TV series)
Fiona
– Episode #1.6 (1980) … Fiona
– Episode #1.5 (1980) … Fiona
– Episode #1.4 (1980) … Fiona
– Episode #1.3 (1980) … Fiona
– Episode #1.2 (1980) … Fiona
See all 6 episodes »
1980 Breakaway (TV series)
Hannah Harvey
– The Family Affair (1980) … Hannah Harvey
1979 Take My Wife... (TV series)
Mabel Norrington
– Episode #1.6 (1979) … Mabel Norrington
– Episode #1.5 (1979) … Mabel Norrington
– Episode #1.4 (1979) … Mabel Norrington
– Episode #1.3 (1979) … Mabel Norrington
– Episode #1.2 (1979) … Mabel Norrington
See all 6 episodes »
1978 Carry on Emmannuelle
Cynical Lady
1978 The Greek Tycoon
Lady Allison
1978 Crown Court (TV series)
Mrs. Hooper
– The Jawbone of an Ass: Part 1 (1978) … Mrs. Hooper
1978 Rosie Dixon - Night Nurse
Sister Tutor
1977 Just William (TV series)
Lady Markham
– William the Philanthropist (1977) … Lady Markham
1977 The Upchat Line (TV series)
Lady Rothwell
– Accommodation Address (1977) … Lady Rothwell
1977 Three Piece Suite (TV series)
Lady - Come in No. 1
– Come in, No.1/This Situation/All in the Mind (1977) … Lady - Come in No. 1
1977 Hardcore
Norma Blackhurst
1975-1977 Doctor on the Go (TV series)
Lady Elizabeth Loftus
– Loftus the Terrible (1977) … Lady Elizabeth Loftus
– It's the Thought That Counts (1975) … Lady Elizabeth Loftus
1976 The Duchess of Duke Street (TV series)
Lady Williams
– The Outsiders (1976) … Lady Williams
1976 Happy Ever After (TV series)
Countess of Buckleigh
– It's All in the Title (1976) … Countess of Buckleigh
1971-1975 Upstairs, Downstairs (TV series)
Lady Prudence Fairfax / Lady Prudence
– Whither Shall I Wander? (1975) … Lady Prudence Fairfax
– Alberto (1975) … Lady Prudence Fairfax
– The Nine Days Wonder (1975) … Lady Prudence Fairfax
– Such a Lovely Man (1975) … Lady Prudence Fairfax
– The Joy Ride (1975) … Lady Prudence Fairfax
See all 16 episodes »
1974-1975 Within These Walls (TV series)
Cecily Foyce
– When the Door Opens (1975) … Cecily Foyce
– Labour of Love (1974) … Cecily Foyce
1974 Father Brown (TV series)
Lady Galloway
– The Secret Garden (1974) … Lady Galloway
1974 Melissa (TV series)
Paula Hepburn
– Episode #1.3 (1974) … Paula Hepburn
– Episode #1.2 (1974) … Paula Hepburn
– Episode #1.1 (1974) … Paula Hepburn
1974 Romany Jones (TV series)
Mrs. Thornton
– The Dinner (1974) … Mrs. Thornton
1974 Comedy Playhouse (TV series)
Aunt Cora
– The Reverend Wooing of Archibald (1974) … Aunt Cora
1973 Jackanory Playhouse (TV series)
Fairy godmother
– The Magician's Heart (1973) … Fairy godmother
1972-1973 Doctor in Charge (TV series)
Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus / Lady Elizabeth Loftus
– A Man's Best Friend Is His Cat (1973) … Lady Elizabeth Loftus
– Long Day's Journey Into Knighthood (1972) … Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
– The Rumour (1972) … Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
– Shut Up and Eat What You're Given (1972) … Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
– Climbing the Ladder (1972) … Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
1972 The Befrienders (TV series)
Mrs. Walsh
– Wedding March (1972) … Mrs. Walsh
1972 Both Ends Meet (TV series)
Mrs Templeton-Smythe
– Firm Foundations (1972) … Mrs Templeton-Smythe
1971 Play for Today (TV series)
Margery Frankiss
– Michael Regan (1971) … Margery Frankiss
1971 Tales of Beatrix Potter
Nurse
1971 Six Dates with Barker (TV series)
Mrs. Vaile
– 1937: The Removals Person (1971) … Mrs. Vaile
1970 Perfect Friday
Miss Welsh
1970 W. Somerset Maugham (TV series)
Aunt Louise
– The Human Element (1970) … Aunt Louise
1970 Tarbuck's Luck (TV series)
– Episode #1.1 (1970)
1970 Never a Cross Word (TV series)
Mother
– Murder She Says (1970) … Mother
1969 The Magic Christian
Socialite in Sotheby's
1969 Arthur! Arthur!
Mrs. Payne
1969 Doctor in the House (TV series)
Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
– All for Love... (1969) … Mrs. Elizabeth Loftus
1969 Dr. Finlay's Casebook (TV series)
Matron
– The Facts of Life (1969) … Matron
– Conquest (1969) … Matron
– Fresh Worlds (1969) … Matron
1969 ITV Sunday Night Theatre (TV series)
Mrs. Wycherley
– Pig in a Poke (1969) … Mrs. Wycherley
1969 The Ugliest Girl in Town (TV series)
Miss Caruthers
– The Ugliest Boy in Town (1969) … Miss Caruthers
1968 The Limbo Line
Lady Faraday
1968 Ukridge (TV series)
Lady Bastable
– The Home from Home (1968) … Lady Bastable
1967 The Wednesday Play (TV series)
Lady Bondleigh
– An Officer of the Court (1967) … Lady Bondleigh
1967 ITV Playhouse (TV series)
Duchess of Berwick
– Lady Windermere's Fan (1967) … Duchess of Berwick
1967 Armchair Theatre (TV series)
– Compensation Alice (1967)
1967 The Troubleshooters (TV series)
Mrs. Barnes
– Women and Business Never Did Mix (1967) … Mrs. Barnes
1958-1966 ITV Play of the Week (TV series)
Monica Reed / Mrs. Shuttleworth / Perdita Cull / …
– Home and Beauty (1966) … Mrs. Shuttleworth
– A Choice of Coward #1: Present Laughter (1964) … Monica Reed
– Faraway Music (1961) … Ursula
– Gilt and Gingerbread (1961) … Perdita Cull
– A Room with a View (1958)
1966 Mrs Thursday (TV series)
Lady Barker
– You Dont Have to Book Buckingham Palace (1966) … Lady Barker
1966 Pardon the Expression (TV series)
Miss Cavendish
– The Resignation (1966) … Miss Cavendish
1963-1965 No Hiding Place (TV series)
Angela Spenser / Rhoda Lynch
– The Reunion (1965) … Angela Spenser
– Last Flight (1963) … Rhoda Lynch
1965 The Worker (TV series)
Miss Niddy
– The Machinery of Organisation (1965) … Miss Niddy
1964 A Choice of Coward (TV series)
Monica Reed
– Present Laughter (1964) … Monica Reed
1964 Murder Ahoy
Matron Alice Fanbraid
1964 Happily Ever After (TV series)
– Episode #2.4 (1964)
1963 The Wild Affair
Assistant
1963 Ladies Who Do
Miss Pinsent
1963 Tamahine
Mrs. O'Shaugnessy
1963 The V.I.P.s
Miss Potter
1962 I Thank a Fool
Restaurant Manager
1962 Saki (TV mini-series)
Constance Broddle
– Episode #1.8 (1962) … Constance Broddle
1960 The Grass Is Greener
Hairdresser's Receptionist (uncredited)
1960 Hotel Imperial (TV series)
Kate Brett
– Changes in the Staff (1960) … Kate Brett
– The Leopardess in 424 (1960) … Kate Brett
– The Rivals in the Rockingham Suite (1960) … Kate Brett
1959 Desert Mice
Una O'Toole
1959 The Bridal Path
Barmaid
1959 Something in the City (TV series)
Betty Keyes
– Episode #1.5 (1959) … Betty Keyes
– Episode #1.4 (1959) … Betty Keyes
– Episode #1.3 (1959) … Betty Keyes
– Episode #1.2 (1959) … Betty Keyes
– Episode #1.1 (1959) … Betty Keyes
1959 The Crowning Touch
Daphne
1959 The Heart of a Man
Grace (uncredited)
1958 Cinderella (TV movie)
Araminta
1958 The Whole Truth
Party Guest
1958 A Night to Remember
Lottie (uncredited)
1958 My Wife and I (TV series)
The Secretary
1956 It's Great to Be Young!
Wife, \ Girlfriend of Mr Routledge (uncredited)
1956 Dry Rot
Blonde
1956 Loser Takes All
Miss Bullen (uncredited)
1956 Child in the House
Vera McNally
1956 The Adventures of the Big Man (TV series)
Janet
– The Amazon Bandit (1956) … Janet
1955 King's Rhapsody
Countess Astrid
1955 The Man Who Loved Redheads
Chloe
1954 Dance Little Lady (uncredited)
1953 Innocents in Paris
Receptionist (uncredited)
1952 The Pickwick Papers (uncredited)
1949 Maytime in Mayfair
Fashion editress (uncredited)
1938 The Divorce of Lady X
Wearing a blue gown with a large crystal necklace (uncredited)