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
City of Ember
(2008)
Granny
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
(2005)
Mrs. Mulch (voice)
Oliver Twist
(2005)
Old Woman
Secrets & Lies
(1996)
Woman with Cat
A Christmas Carol
(1999)
Mrs Dilber
The Duellists
(1977)
Fortune Teller
Keeping Mum
(2005)
Mrs. Parker
Alice in Wonderland
(1999)
Miss Lory
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
(1989)
Grace
Tube Tales
(1999)
Older Lady (segment "Horny")
Haunted
(1995)
Old Gypsy Woman
High Spirits
(1988)
Mrs. Plunkett
Son of the Pink Panther
(1993)
Marta Balls
Trail of the Pink Panther
(1982)
Martha Balls (archive footage)
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
Breath
(1975)
Mrs. Pritchett
Keep an Eye on Albert
(1975)
Mrs. Oxfam
It's a Lovely Day Tomorrow
(1975)
Vi Bell
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet
(1976)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
(1976)
Spend Spend Spend
(1977)
Keith's Granny
The Duellists
(1977)
Fortune Teller
The Stick Up
(1977)
Hotel Manageress
Agatha
(1979)
Flora
Sir Henry at Rawlinson End
(1980)
Lady Phillipa of Staines
Murder Rap
(1980)
Elfie
The French Lieutenant's Woman
(1981)
Mrs. Fairley
The Monster Club
(1981)
Villager
Britannia Hospital
(1982)
Maisie
Mike Leigh: Making Plays
(1982)
(Archive Material)
Trail of the Pink Panther
(1982)
Martha Balls (archive footage)
Separate Tables
(1983)
Miss Meacham
Curse of the Pink Panther
(1983)
Marta Balls
Fanny Hill
(1983)
Mrs. Jones (uncredited)
A Private Function
(1984)
Mother
A Christmas Carol
(1984)
Mrs. Dilber
Harem
(1986)
Mrs. Pendleton
On the Palm
(1987)
Mrs Slatterthwaite
When We Are Married
(1987)
Mrs Northrop
Little Dorrit
(1987)
Mrs. Bangham
High Spirits
(1988)
Mrs. Plunkett
Jake's Journey
(1988)
Witch
We Think the World of You
(1988)
Millie
Apartment Zero
(1989)
Mary Louise McKinney
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover
(1989)
Grace
Bert Rigby, You're a Fool
(1989)
Mrs. Rigby
Words of Love
(1989)
Gran
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
Pretty Princess
(1993)
regina madre
Son of the Pink Panther
(1993)
Marta Balls
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
Tube Tales
(1999)
Older Lady (segment "Horny")
Alice in Wonderland
(1999)
Miss Lory
Tom's Midnight Garden
(1999)
Mrs Willows
A Christmas Carol
(1999)
Mrs Dilber
A Christmas Carol
(2000)
Joyce
Donovan Quick
(2000)
Granny
The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Espionage Escapades
(2000)
Delfina
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
(2001)
Peg Sliderskew
A Good Thief
(2002)
Lizzie
Anna Spud
(2003)
Gran
Nero
(2004)
Soothsayer
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
(2005)
Mrs. Mulch (voice)
Keeping Mum
(2005)
Mrs. Parker
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
(2005)
Grandma Georgina
Oliver Twist
(2005)
Old Woman
Dead Cool
(2005)
Liz
The Magic Flute
(2006)
The Old Papagena
The Queen of Sheba
(2006)
Norma Speakman
Flick
(2008)
Ma
City of Ember
(2008)
Granny
The Antiques Rogue Show
(2009)
Olive Greenhalgh
The Royle Family: Behind the Sofa
(2010)
Self