Irene Handl dead

Press, 1 December 1987, Page 10

Irene Handl dead

NZPA-Reuter London Irene Handl, one of Britain’s best-loved actresses and comediennes who perfected the role of a slightly eccentric cockney old lady, died on Sunday, aged 85. Miss Handb who never retired as a television actress, died in her sleep at her west London home, her agent Peter Graham said. The London-born

daughter of a Viennese father and French mother, Miss Handl took up acting when she was 36 and over the following years she appeared in stage plays, films and television comedies as well as becoming an accomplished writer. Her films included "Doctor In Love,” “The French Mistress,” and “The Belles of St Trinians.” She became well-known

in Britain for appearances in television shows including "Hancock’s Half Hour,” "You Must Be Joking,” "For;The Love of Ada,” and most recently "Never Say, Die.” ' “Irene was a legend, loved by many. This is the end of ah era,’A. Mr Graham said. He said Miss Handl had felt ill recently, but was determined to keep working, saying “Dr Theatre will cure me.”