Betty Gleadle (11 December 1921 – 24 December 2016), known by the stage name Liz Smith, was an English character actress, known for her roles in BBC sitcoms, including as Annie Brandon in I Didn't Know You Cared (1975–1979), the sisters Bette and Belle in 2point4 Children (1991–1999), Letitia Cropley in The Vicar of Dibley (1994–1996) and Norma Speakman ("Nana") in The Royle Family (1998–2000, 2006). She also played Zillah in Lark Rise to Candleford (2008) and won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for the 1984 film A Private Function.
Known For
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
(2005)
Grandma Georgina
A Christmas Carol
(1984)
Mrs. Dilber
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
(2005)
Mrs. Mulch (voice)
City of Ember
(2008)
Granny
The Duellists
(1977)
Fortune Teller
Oliver Twist
(2005)
Old Woman
Secrets & Lies
(1996)
Woman with Cat
High Spirits
(1988)
Mrs. Plunkett
Alice in Wonderland
(1999)
Miss Lory
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
(1989)
Grace
Curse of the Pink Panther
(1983)
Marta Balls
Haunted
(1995)
Old Gypsy Woman
The French Lieutenant's Woman
(1981)
Mrs. Fairley
Fanny Hill
(1983)
Mrs. Jones (uncredited)
Trail of the Pink Panther
(1982)
Martha Balls (archive footage)
A Christmas Carol
(1999)
Mrs Dilber
Full Filmography
Acting
Leo the Last
(1970)
Bleak Moments
(1971)
Pat's Mother
Hard Labour
(1973)
Mrs. Thornley
Jack Point
(1973)
Mrs. Matthews
Taking Leave
(1974)
Confused Lady
Keep an Eye on Albert
(1975)
Mrs. Oxfam
It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow
(1975)
Vi Bell
Breath
(1975)
Mrs. Pritchett
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
(1976)
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet
(1976)
Spend Spend Spend
(1977)
Keith's Granny
The Stick Up
(1977)
Hotel Manageress
The Duellists
(1977)
Fortune Teller
Agatha
(1979)
Flora
Sir Henry at Rawlinson End
(1980)
Lady Phillipa of Staines
Murder Rap
(1980)
Elfie
The Monster Club
(1981)
Villager
The French Lieutenant's Woman
(1981)
Mrs. Fairley
Trail of the Pink Panther
(1982)
Martha Balls (archive footage)
Mike Leigh: Making Plays
(1982)
(Archive Material)
Britannia Hospital
(1982)
Maisie
Curse of the Pink Panther
(1983)
Marta Balls
Fanny Hill
(1983)
Mrs. Jones (uncredited)
Separate Tables
(1983)
Miss Meacham
A Private Function
(1984)
Mother
A Christmas Carol
(1984)
Mrs. Dilber
Harem
(1986)
Mrs. Pendleton
When We Are Married
(1987)
Mrs Northrop
On the Palm
(1987)
Mrs Slatterthwaite
Little Dorrit
(1987)
Mrs. Bangham
High Spirits
(1988)
Mrs. Plunkett
Jake's Journey
(1988)
Witch
We Think the World of You
(1988)
Millie
Bert Rigby, You're a Fool
(1989)
Mrs. Rigby
Words of Love
(1989)
Gran
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
(1989)
Grace
Apartment Zero
(1989)
Mary Louise McKinney
Sing! Sesame Street Remembers Joe Raposo and His Music
(1990)
Self
Night of 100 Stars III
(1990)
Self
Nona
(1991)
Anyula
Dakota Road
(1992)
Joan Benson
Son of the Pink Panther
(1993)
Marta Balls
Pretty Princess
(1993)
regina madre
Doggin' Around
(1994)
Mrs. Thompson
Haunted
(1995)
Old Gypsy Woman
Secrets & Lies
(1996)
Woman with Cat
An Evening with Lily Savage
(1996)
Self - Audience Member
Keep the Aspidistra Flying
(1997)
Mrs Meakin
The Revengers' Comedies
(1998)
Winnie
Anthrakitis
(1998)
Dolly
A Christmas Carol
(1999)
Mrs Dilber
Tom's Midnight Garden
(1999)
Mrs Willows
Alice in Wonderland
(1999)
Miss Lory
Tube Tales
(1999)
Older Lady (segment "Horny")
Donovan Quick
(2000)
Granny
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Espionage Escapades
(2000)
Delfina
A Christmas Carol
(2000)
Joyce
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
(2001)
Peg Sliderskew
A Good Thief
(2002)
Lizzie
Anna Spud
(2003)
Gran
Nero
(2004)
Soothsayer
Oliver Twist
(2005)
Old Woman
Dead Cool
(2005)
Liz
Keeping Mum
(2005)
Mrs. Parker
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
(2005)
Mrs. Mulch (voice)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
(2005)
Grandma Georgina
The Queen of Sheba
(2006)
Norma Speakman
The Magic Flute
(2006)
The Old Papagena
City of Ember
(2008)
Granny
Flick
(2008)
Ma
The Antiques Rogue Show
(2009)
Olive Greenhalgh
The Royle Family: Behind the Sofa
(2010)
Self