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Barbara Murray obituary Barbara Murray obituary
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The actor Barbara Murray, who has died aged 84, was a striking presence on screen, bringing sophistication and elegance to her roles in film comedies and dramas. She made her biggest impact on television, in the British forerunner to Dallas, The Power Game (1965-69), in which she played Pamela, the bejewelled and fur-clad wife of the ruthless business executive John Wilder (played by Patrick Wymark). Murray took second billing to Wymark, ahead of the drama's other stars, Michael Jayston, Jack Watling, Rosemary Leach and Peter Barkworth, and the Wilders' private life – both had affairs – was as much a part of the drama as the high-powered business dealings.The actor Barbara Murray, who has died aged 84, was a striking presence on screen, bringing sophistication and elegance to her roles in film comedies and dramas. She made her biggest impact on television, in the British forerunner to Dallas, The Power Game (1965-69), in which she played Pamela, the bejewelled and fur-clad wife of the ruthless business executive John Wilder (played by Patrick Wymark). Murray took second billing to Wymark, ahead of the drama's other stars, Michael Jayston, Jack Watling, Rosemary Leach and Peter Barkworth, and the Wilders' private life – both had affairs – was as much a part of the drama as the high-powered business dealings.
The pair had first played the Wilders in The Plane Makers (1963-65), in which Wymark's character was an aerospace tycoon battling with the unions on the shop floor. In The Power Game, he was transplanted to the boardroom of a merchant bank that takes control of a civil engineering company. He was also knighted, and his wife was seen revelling in the title of Lady Wilder. Only the death of Wymark brought The Power Game to an end.The pair had first played the Wilders in The Plane Makers (1963-65), in which Wymark's character was an aerospace tycoon battling with the unions on the shop floor. In The Power Game, he was transplanted to the boardroom of a merchant bank that takes control of a civil engineering company. He was also knighted, and his wife was seen revelling in the title of Lady Wilder. Only the death of Wymark brought The Power Game to an end.
Her earnings from this hugely popular programme enabled Murray to achieve her ambition of buying her own home, in Richmond upon Thames, Surrey. "I've been insecure, broke and unhappy, and having a house of my own always seemed the big unattainable," she told TV Times in 1969.Her earnings from this hugely popular programme enabled Murray to achieve her ambition of buying her own home, in Richmond upon Thames, Surrey. "I've been insecure, broke and unhappy, and having a house of my own always seemed the big unattainable," she told TV Times in 1969.
She was born in London, the daughter of a stage actor, Freddie Murray, and his wife, Petronella (nee Anderson). When Barbara was six, her mother and father teamed up in a variety dancing act, and she was sent to boarding school in Huntingdonshire. She was quiet as a child, and enjoyed reading poetry and taking part in school plays.She was born in London, the daughter of a stage actor, Freddie Murray, and his wife, Petronella (nee Anderson). When Barbara was six, her mother and father teamed up in a variety dancing act, and she was sent to boarding school in Huntingdonshire. She was quiet as a child, and enjoyed reading poetry and taking part in school plays.
After the second world war, when she was evacuated to Wales with her mother, Murray briefly joined her parents on stage, but jobs were scarce and her father developed rheumatism, so she worked as a photographic model. Then, aged 17, Murray auditioned for the Rank Organisation's talent-nurturing charm school and was offered a £10-a-week five-year contract. While training there, she had tiny parts in a string of films, starting with Anna Karenina (1948), which starred Vivien Leigh and Ralph Richardson, and acted in repertory theatre. After the second world war, when she was evacuated to Wales with her mother, Murray briefly joined her parents on stage, but jobs were scarce and her father developed rheumatism, so she worked as a photographic model. Then, aged 17, Murray auditioned for the Rank Organisation's talent-nurturing charm school and was offered a £10-a-week five-year contract. While training there, she had tiny parts in a string of films – starting with Anna Karenina (1948), which starred Vivien Leigh and Ralph Richardson, and including the Ealing Studios productions Saraband for Dead Lovers (1948) and Passport to Pimlico (1949), in which she played Stanley Holloway's daughter – and acted in repertory theatre.
After marrying the actor John Justin in 1952, Murray was offered a new Rank contract but turned it down to spend more time at home with him and, later, to bring up their three daughters. "My best part is Mum," she once said. However, Murray took stage roles that fitted in with family life, including her West End debut as Joanna Winter in No Other Verdict (Duchess theatre, 1954), shortly before the birth of her first child.After marrying the actor John Justin in 1952, Murray was offered a new Rank contract but turned it down to spend more time at home with him and, later, to bring up their three daughters. "My best part is Mum," she once said. However, Murray took stage roles that fitted in with family life, including her West End debut as Joanna Winter in No Other Verdict (Duchess theatre, 1954), shortly before the birth of her first child.
There were further London appearances as Isolde Poole in The Tunnel of Love (Her Majesty's theatre, 1957-58, and Apollo, 1959) and with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the leading role of Stella in the original production of Harold Pinter's The Collection (Aldwych, 1962), directed by Peter Hall. Murray's only Broadway role, Madeline Hanes in the lingerie-business comedy In the Counting House (Biltmore theatre, 1962), ended with its cancellation after only six performances.There were further London appearances as Isolde Poole in The Tunnel of Love (Her Majesty's theatre, 1957-58, and Apollo, 1959) and with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the leading role of Stella in the original production of Harold Pinter's The Collection (Aldwych, 1962), directed by Peter Hall. Murray's only Broadway role, Madeline Hanes in the lingerie-business comedy In the Counting House (Biltmore theatre, 1962), ended with its cancellation after only six performances.
During this period, Murray returned to films, including Campbell's Kingdom (1957, romancing Dirk Bogarde) and The Punch and Judy Man (1963), and had regular starring roles on television. In drama, she aged gracefully as the rich widow Madame Goesler (later Marie Finn) in The Pallisers (1974) and played Lydia, bickering matriarch of an acting dynasty, in The Bretts (1977-79). Doctor Who aficionados will recall her as Lady Cranleigh in the 1982 story Black Orchid. A rare film role during this time cast Murray as Ammonia, wife of Ludicrus Sextus (Michael Hordern), seen up to her neck in a milky bath, in Up Pompeii (1971).During this period, Murray returned to films, including Campbell's Kingdom (1957, romancing Dirk Bogarde) and The Punch and Judy Man (1963), and had regular starring roles on television. In drama, she aged gracefully as the rich widow Madame Goesler (later Marie Finn) in The Pallisers (1974) and played Lydia, bickering matriarch of an acting dynasty, in The Bretts (1977-79). Doctor Who aficionados will recall her as Lady Cranleigh in the 1982 story Black Orchid. A rare film role during this time cast Murray as Ammonia, wife of Ludicrus Sextus (Michael Hordern), seen up to her neck in a milky bath, in Up Pompeii (1971).
In 1976, she spent six weeks in hospital after breaking her jaw when a car she was travelling in was involved in a collision during a British Council-sponsored acting tour of Brazil. "Fortunately, I was lucky and there were no marks on my face," she reflected.In 1976, she spent six weeks in hospital after breaking her jaw when a car she was travelling in was involved in a collision during a British Council-sponsored acting tour of Brazil. "Fortunately, I was lucky and there were no marks on my face," she reflected.
Murray retired from acting in 2001 and moved to Spain, following a national tour that year of An Ideal Husband with Hall's company.Murray retired from acting in 2001 and moved to Spain, following a national tour that year of An Ideal Husband with Hall's company.
She is survived by Felicity, Virginia and Joanna, the three children from her marriage to Justin, which ended in divorce in 1964. Her second marriage, to Bill Holmes, an English teacher who had previously acted under the name Peter Holmes, was also dissolved.She is survived by Felicity, Virginia and Joanna, the three children from her marriage to Justin, which ended in divorce in 1964. Her second marriage, to Bill Holmes, an English teacher who had previously acted under the name Peter Holmes, was also dissolved.
• Barbara Ann Murray, actor, born 27 September 1929; died 20 May 2014• Barbara Ann Murray, actor, born 27 September 1929; died 20 May 2014