Barbara Hamilton (11 December 1926 – 7 February 1996) was a Canadian actress. She was known for her comedic roles and was dubbed 'The Funniest Woman in Canada.' Outside of Canada, her live theatre career took her to London, New York and Bermuda. Hamilton is known for roles in films and television series such as Road to Avonlea. Her theatre performances have included the Spring Thaw revue. She is also known for originating the role of Marilla Cuthbert in both the Canadian and West End productions of Anne of Green Gables.

Early life Hamilton was born in Toronto, Ontario on 11 December 1926 and educated in Cobourg, Ontario. She was the youngest of three children. The others, Mary and Bob both died of cancer. After studies at Brockville Collegiate Institute, she attended the University of Toronto where her early performances were featured at the Hart House Theatre.

Career Hamilton's first professional role was in Kesselring's Arsenic and Old Lace at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre (Royal Alex) in 1943. This was the first of 14 appearances at the Royal Alex, the most of any actor.

She played in the Razzle Dazzle revue on Broadway. According to Hamilton, that folded so quickly, she had to take a job in the luggage department at Selfridge's. "I was the only girl in the place, but I did all of the muscle work, lifting trunks and suitcases. None of the men were as big as me."

Hamilton returned to Canada and toured for several seasons with the Canadian Players troupe and acted for three seasons in Bermuda. She then joined the cast of Spring Thaw which established her comedic credentials. She developed her own revue That Hamilton Woman at Toronto's Crest Theatre as well as appearing in numerous dramatic productions at the Crest. According to Hamilton herself "I don't pretend to be a classical actress, but I have a tough time convincing people that I am not just a clown."

In 1965, Hamilton originated the role of Marilla at the Charlottetown Festival production of Anne of Green Gables. She repeated the role in a London, England production and was awarded the best actress award by the London drama critics. She portrayed Marilla for five seasons at the Festival, at Expo '70, and at the Royal Alex.

In 1985, she appeared in No Sex Please, We're British and in 1987 in Pride and Prejudice as Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

While known for theatre, Hamilton also appeared in television and film and did animation voice work. She was disappointed that Colleen Dewhurst was cast as Marilla in the live action Anne of Green Gables by Sullivan Productions, but did appear in its Road to Avonlea TV series. Hamilton has appeared as Marilla in two British TV series based on the Lucy Maud Montgomery books. Hamilton played Mavis in the CBC-TV drama series "Mavis" in the 1960s. Her final film role was in Norman Jewison's Bogus, released after her death.

Personal life and death Hamilton's long-time companion was Wayne Lonergan from 1972 until his death in 1986. They had no children. Hamilton died as a result of breast cancer in 1996 at the age of 69. That year, the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts established the Barbara Hamilton Award to honour those who demonstrate excellence in the performing arts.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1948 A Song Is Born Woman at Dorsey Club (uncredited)1950 The Lady Craved Excitement Chorus Girl Come Dance with Me Kiki – Stage Girl 1994 Car 54, Where Are You? Mrs. Muldoon 1996 Bogus Mrs. Partridge Posthumous release

Television YearTitleRoleNotes1952Sunshine SketchesPoet's WifeStopwatch and Listen1954–1959Howdy Doody (Canadian version)Willow The Witch1956Is It a Woman's World?Anne of Green GablesShop AssistantTV movie1957On CameraMotherEpisode: "Black Cats Are Good Cats"1959 A Dangerous Age1960EncounterEpisode: "How to Make More Money Than Men"Just Mary1961One Plus OneSegment: "Baby"Razzle DazzleMother Mayonnaise1964 The Forest RangersMrs. Aggie Apple4 episodes1970–1971 The Trouble With TracyMaid1972 The Year of the Yahoo!BarbaraAnne of Green GablesMarilla CuthbertMiniseries1973DelilahAunt Peggy1974And That's the News, GoodnightVarious The Naked Mind1975Anne of AvonleaMarilla Cuthbert6 episodes1978Mathmakers1979Lost and FoundMrs. Bryce1980Archie Bunker's PlaceWoman #2Episode: "The Wildcat Strike"1981B.C.: A Special ChristmasFat Broad (voice)TV movieSanfordOld Woman JurorEpisode: "Jury Duty"1983Gimme a Break!Lady CustomerEpisode: "Nell and the Kid"1984Today's SpecialDr. BennettEpisode: "Hospitals"1985Today's SpecialDr. BennettEpisode: "Muffy"Check It OutMrs. CobbNight HeatIrma DeutchEpisode: "Secrets"1986Seeing ThingsMrs. CoitartEpisode: "Snow Blind"Episode: "That Hang Dog Look"1987DiamondsEpisode: "Here Comes the Bride"1988DiamondsEpisode: "Where There's a Will"Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant ShowThe Curio Shoppe OwnerEpisode: "Curio Shoppe"Hot PaintTV movieC.O.P.S.Additional VoicesEpisode: "The Case of the Stuck-Up Blimp"1989Glory! Glory!SelmaTV movieBabarAdditional Voices13 episodesStreet LegalDr. BernsteinEpisode: "Confession"1990ClarenceMrs. DuckworthTV movie1990–1991E.N.G.Christy Callwood4 episodes1991Rin Tin Tin: K-9 CopMrs. BakerEpisode: "Abused Child"1991–1995Shining Time StationGinny Johnson15 episodes1992Change of HeartAunt Bea1992–1996Road to AvonleaEulalie Bugle23 episodes1994 The Mighty JungleRose HufnagelEpisode: "Hairy Proposal"

Awards and recognition Earle Grey Award (1993)

References

Sources

External links

Barbara Hamilton at Northern Stars