Hilary Lavender Mason (4 September 1917 – 5 September 2006) was an English character actress who appeared in a wide variety of roles, mainly on UK television.
Mason was born in Birmingham and trained at the London School of Dramatic Art, before performing with repertory theatres throughout Britain. She is probably best known internationally for her performance as the blind psychic Heather in Nicolas Roeg's film Don't Look Now.
Mason had the starring role in Mistress of Hardwick, a 10-part BBC series broadcast in 1972, which followed the life of Bess of Hardwick. Most of the episodes are now lost.
She appeared in "Gunfight at the O.K. Laundrette", the pilot episode of ITV's critically acclaimed drama Minder. She also made regular appearances in Z-Cars and Dixon of Dock Green, and made an appearance in Ripping Yarns. In the 1985 BBC serial ‘’Miss Marple’’: The Moving Finger, she appeared as Emily Barton. In 1986 she appeared as Mrs Gummidge in the BBC series David Copperfield. Mason appeared in an episode of Juliet Bravo as Mrs Unwin in an episode called "Friends and Neighbours".
In later years Mason appeared as Gladys in the popular children's TV show Maid Marian and her Merry Men. One of her last roles was in the children's programme Aquila.
Mason died on 5 September 2006, at the age of 89.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1960 Rockets in the Dunes Mrs. Allen 1963 The Yellow Teddy Bears Miss Fletch 1970 Morning Story Mrs McIsaac TV movie1971 She'll Follow You Anywhere Jackie's mum 1972 Mistress of Hardwick Bess of Hardwick TV series (10-part)1973 Don't Look Now Heather 1975 I Don't Want to Be Born Mrs. Hyde 1975 My Brother's Keeper Mrs. Booth TV series1977 The Three Hostages Mrs. Medina TV movie1977 Nicholas Nickleby Mrs. Nickleby TV series1977–9The Other OneMrs. FlensingTV series1978 Absolution Miss Froggatt 1982 The Return of the Soldier Ward 1982 Ghost in the Water Nan TV movie1983 Bullshot Hotel Guest 1984 The Jewel in the Crown Mrs Roper TV series 1984 Moonfleet Jane Arnold TV series 1985 Anna of the Five Towns Sarah Vodrey TV series1987 Dolls Hilary Hartwicke 1989 Robot Jox Professor Laplace 1989 Agatha Christie's Poirot Mrs Hill, Housekeeper. Series 1,episode 4. 1989-1994 Maid Marian And Her Merry Men Gladys 1990 Meridian Martha 1991 Afraid of the Dark Basement Woman 1995 One Foot in the Grave Marjorie Stewkley TV series1995 Haunted Elderly Lady 1998 Aquila Elderly neighbour
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Independent obituary