Lyn James

Lyn James
Born
Margaret James

(1929-11-13)13 November 1929
Rhondda, Wales, United Kingdom
Died31 May 2017(2017-05-31) (aged 87)
Sydney, Australia
Occupations
  • Stage and screen actress
  • director
Years active1949–2002
SpouseEric Tayler (19??-1997)
Children2 including Sally Tayler, actress

Lyn James (13 November 1929 – 31 May 2017), credited also as Marilyn James, was a Welsh-born actress of stage and screen and director, who became known for her career in England and later Australia, particularly as receptionist Helen Gordon in television soap opera The Young Doctors[1][2]

Biography

She was born Margaret James, the daughter of theatre actor and producer Jack James and granddaughter of photographer Levi Ladd. and grew up in Rhondda in South Wales.[2] After graduating from RADA, James made her professional debut as an actress in 1949, appearing in numerous plays and TV serials in England for the BBC. After meeting her husband they emigrated to Australia in 1965, and, credited now as "Lyn James", appeared in numerous Crawford Productions series, before she became best known internationally for her role as doctors secretary Helen Gordon in the Australian television soap opera The Young Doctors.[3] She appeared in the series from its inception in 1976, until it ended in 1983, one of only a few actors to appear for the duration of the series.[3]

Filmography

TELEVISION

Year Title Role Type
1955 Fantastic Summer Nan Wilde (as Marilyn James) TV film, UK
1955 Misery Me Romilda (as Marilyn James) TV film, UK
1956 Jinny Morgan Aggie Hughes (as Marilyn James) Teleplay, UK
1956 Poison Pen Rose Rainrider (as Marilyn James) Teleplay, UK
1957 The Druid Circle Megan Lewis (as Marilyn James) Teleplay, UK
1957 Precious Bane Guest role: Moll Miller (as Marilyn James) TV series UK, 2 episodes
1957 The Stolen Miniatures Nurse Dawson (as Marilyn James) TV film, UK
1957 To Love And To Cherish Prudence (as Marilyn James) Teleplay, UK
1957 Nicholas Nickleby Recurring role: Madeline Bray (as Marilyn James) TV series UK, 4 episodes
1963 One About The Lugger... Guest role: Meg Barker (as Marilyn James) TV series UK, 1 episode
1963 24-Hour Call Guest role: Mary Johnson (as Marilyn James) TV series UK, 1 episode
1963 First Night Guest role: Alice Potter (as Marilyn James) TV series UK, 1 episode
1963 Emergency-Ward 10 Recurring role: Beryl Denbigh (as Marilyn James) TV series UK, 5 episodes
1965 Story Parade Guest role: Alice Dawes (as Marilyn James) TV series UK, 1 episode
1966 Australian Playhouse Guest role ABC TV series, 1 episode
1968 Contrabandits Guest role: Nan Hallam TV series, 2 episodes
1969 Hunter Guest role: Helen Kramer TV series, 1 episode
1969;1973 Division 4 Guest roles: Mrs. Thompson / Sue Nichols TV series, 2 episodes
1970 Eden House Honor ABC Teleplay
1970–1971 Dynasty Regular role: Maggie Tench ABC TV series, 22 episodes
1972 Catwalk Guest role: Julia Battle TV series, 1 episode
1972 Matlock Police Guest role: Joan Price TV series, 1 episode
1972 Over There Recurring role TV series, 3 episodes
1973 Boney Guest role TV series, 1 episode
1973 Catch Kandy Recurring role: Mrs. Wayne TV series, 3 episodes
1973 Ryan Guest role: Margaret Nelson TV series, 1 episode
1973 The Evil Touch Guest role: Maid TV series, 1 episode
1975 Silent Number Guest role TV series, 1 episode
1975 Armchair Cinema Guest Doris TV series, 1 episode "Tully"
1976 The Emigrants Guest role: Mrs. Lewis TV series UK, 1 episode
1976–1982 The Young Doctors Regular role: Helen Gordon TV series, 313 episodes
1978 Case for the Defence Guest role: Minna McGee TV series, 1 episode 2: "The Killing Of Toby McGee"
1979 The Rock Pool Role unknown ABC Teleplay
1980 Telethon '80 Herself TV special
1983 The Coral Island Guest role: Lady Rover TV miniseries, 1 episode
1987 Olive Recurring role: Doreen ABC TV film
1991 In Sydney Today Herself – Guest TV series, 1 episode
1992 Bony Guest role: Mrs. Vincetti TV series, 1 episode 2: "Looks Can Kill"
1994 TVTV Herself with The Young Doctors cast ABC TV series, 1 episode
1996 40 Years Of TV Stars... Then And Now Herself TV special
1997 Where Are They Now? Herself TV series, 1 episode
2002 Young Lions Guest role: Elderly Woman TV series, 1 episode

Personal life

James was married to the New Zealand producer Eric Tayler, a fellow RADA graduate, and they had two children, one of whom is the Australia actress Sally Tayler, who also appeared with her in The Young Doctors.[1]

James final screen appearance was in 2002 and she died in Sydney, aged 87, on 31 May 2017.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Houghton, Tom (1 June 2017). "Rhondda soap star Lyn James has died age 87". Wales Online. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Young Doctors Star Lyn James Dies". ATV Today. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  3. ^ a b c "The Young Doctors star Lyn James has died in Sydney at the age of 87". The Daily Telegraph. 1 June 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.