Long-time British comedy star Dame June Whitfield dies at 93
- Celebrated actress was best known for her roles in Absolutely Fabulous and Terry and June
British actress and comedic star Dame June Whitfield, whose long career included memorable roles in TV series Absolutely Fabulous and Terry and June, has died. She was 93.
Her agent said that she died Friday night.
Whitfield enjoyed a career spanning decades, appearing on some of Britain’s most popular TV shows and earning generations of fans drawn by her wide range and impeccable timing.
She was prominent in the Carry On series and the sitcom Terry and June with Terry Scott in the ‘80s before playing a vital role in Absolutely Fabulous.
Her time on “Ab Fab” playing the slightly odd mother of Jennifer Saunders’ boozy character Edina introduced Whitfield to fans who hadn’t been born when she started on radio decades earlier.
Fellow “Ab Fab” stars Saunders and Joanna Lumley praised Whitfield for the warmth and wit she brought to the hugely popular show.
“I will always be grateful that she agreed to be in Ab Fab and even more grateful that she became a dear friend,” Saunders said in a statement. “She lived and worked with an extraordinary grace.”