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London-born Sylvia May Laura Syms hit major film appeal at a relatively young age. Born on January 6, 1934, she was educated at convent schools before receiving dramatic training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She made her stage debut in a production of "The Apple Cart" in 1954.

A repertory player by the time she was discovered for films by the British star Anna Neagle and her director/husband Herbert Wilcox, the lovely demure blonde started out auspiciously enough in the delinquent film Teenage Bad Girl (1956) in which she played Neagle's troubled daughter. This was followed by a second Neagle/Wilcox collaboration with No Time for Tears (1957).

Excelling whether cast in stark melodrama, spirited adventure or harmless comedy fluff, Syms' film list grew impressive in the late 1950s and early 1960s working alongside the likes of John Mills and Anthony Quayle in Ice Cold in Alex (1958), Curd Jürgens and Orson Welles in Ferry to Hong Kong (1959), Lilli Palmer and Yvonne Mitchell in Conspiracy of Hearts (1960), Laurence Harvey in Expresso Bongo (1959), William Holden in The World of Suzie Wong (1960), and Dirk Bogarde in the landmark gay-themed Victim (1961), playing the unsuspecting wife of Bogarde's closeted male. After nearly a decade's absence, Sylvia returned briefly to the London theatre lights in 1964 to play the title role in "Peter Pan."

Ably portraying innocent love interests throughout the years, she graced a number of pictures without ever nabbing that one role that would truly put her over the top. She was nominated, however, three times for British Film Academy Awards--twice for best actress in Woman in a Dressing Gown (1957) and No Trees in the Street (1959) and once for supporting actress in The Tamarind Seed (1974) that starred Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif.

The 1970s saw quite a bit of TV series work and she played British prime minister Margaret Thatcher at one point on both stage and TV. She grew plumper with middle age and found herself immersed in character roles, offering support in such films as Absolute Beginners (1986), Shirley Valentine (1989) and Shining Through (1992).

The stage once again beckoned in the mid-to-late 1980's with touring performances, among many others, in "The Heiress," "The Beaux Stratagem," "The Ideal Husband," "A Doll's House," "Ghosts," "The Vortex," "Hamlet," "Anthony and Cleopatra" and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" She portrayed the Queen and Margaret Thatcher in a production of "Ugly Rumours" and was among the cast in a musical presentation of "On the Town" in 2005.

Into the millennium, Sylvia has continued to have remarkable agility. American audiences have recently seen her as the dog-doting "Princess Charlotte" in the light teen comedy What a Girl Wants (2003) with Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth, and treading water as the Shelley Winters character in the TV-remake of The Poseidon Adventure (2005). Other movies have included the role of the Queen Mum in The Queen (2006) starring Oscar-winning Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II, as well as featured roles in Is Anybody There? (2008) starring Michael Caine and Booked Out (2012). She also co-starred opposite Peter Bowles in the heart-warming senior character study Together (2018).

Married once and divorced in the 1980s from Alvin Edney, daughter Beatie Edney (aka Beatrice) is a highly prolific actress in her own right, and her son, Benjamin Edney, was briefly an actor while young and appeared with his mother as her son in the western The Desperados (1969). Ms. Syms is sometimes confused with Brooklyn-born jazz/cabaret performer and recording artist Sylvia Syms (1917-1992) (née Sylvia Blagman).

Classically-trained London-born character actor and stage director, the paternal uncle of film makers Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan. In 1968, he played Clitus in Julius Caesar with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, followed by two years of residency. He subsequently appeared in most of the Bard's plays, including The Merry Wives of Windsor, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, The Merchant of Venice and Measure for Measure. Nolan has also played the lead in the Dostoyevsky Trilogy for the Bristol Old Vic (1980-81) and latterly essayed the alcoholic Doc in Tennessee Williams' Small Craft Warnings at the Arcola Theatre in the East End of London.

Nolan made his screen debut in 1967. His first pivotal role in that medium was as the eponymous hero in a famous BBC adaptation of George Eliot's Daniel Deronda (1970). This led to more regular TV work, including as Geoff Hardcastle, one of the Doomwatch (1970) department, and as the artist Nick Faunt in the miniseries Shabby Tiger (1973), set in 1930s Manchester. In addition to diverse TV guest spots, Nolan portrayed Wayne Enterprise board member Douglas Fredericks on the big screen in Batman Begins (2005) and The Dark Knight Rises (2012). As a voice actor, he has narrated documentaries and appeared in ads on TV and radio.

His most high profile screen role to date has been that of ex MI-6 agent John Greer, primary antagonist (from season two) in the compelling sci-fi drama Person of Interest (2011). Greer was the operational head of Decima Technologies, a sinister covert organisation serving Samaritan, an artificially intelligent (but seriously flawed) mass surveillance computer system. The show was created by John's nephew Christopher, according to whom "the best bad guys are always English. That's just kind of a rule. And so my uncle came on board in exactly the same fashion as all of these actors, as a memorable turn that became a longer story arc."

Since 1975, John Nolan has been married to Kim Hartman, best known on TV for her role as the manipulative seductress Helga Geerhart in the popular BBC sitcom 'Allo 'Allo! (1982).

Comedian Bob Hope was born Leslie Townes Hope in Eltham, London, England, the fifth of seven sons of Avis (Townes), light opera singer, and William Henry Hope, a stonemason from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset. His maternal grandmother was Welsh. Hope moved to Bristol before emigrating with his parents to the USA in 1908. After some years onstage as a dancer and comedian, he made his first film appearance in The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938) singing "Thanks for the Memory", which became his signature tune.

In partnership with Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour, he appeared in the highly successful "Road to ..." comedies (1940-52), and in many others until the early 1970s. During World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars he spent much time entertaining the troops in the field. For these activities and for his continued contributions to the industry he received five honorary Academy Awards.

Emily Joyce is the youngest of three sisters, all of whom are in the entertainment business in the UK. Their mother loved the theater, took the three girls to shows constantly, and Emily auditioned for, and was accepted into, the National Youth Theatre when she was 15.

After working at British Vogue, she went to drama school, while singing lead in a rock band called "In Spite of All That." Eventually she decided to focus on acting, and left her singing career behind.

After drama school Joyce performed for a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company and had a guest role, as a murderer, in the ITV drama Cracker (1993). Since then she has worked in English television, and has played the female lead in My Hero (2000) since 2000.

Karl is a very talented actor, who will be most remembered for playing "Jacko", in the brilliant comedy series, Brush Strokes (1986). Jacko was a painter and decorator, and very much a "Jack the lad". In this hugely entertaining series, Karl played a ladies' man, who never has any intention of settling down. Karl has also starred in Babes in the Wood (1998), Bad Boys (1995), and Mulberry (1992), and had guest roles in programmes such as The Bill (1984).

Scott Maslen was born in the earshot of Bow Bells, London. He was raised in Woolwich, and by the age of 16 he made his first career choice to go into the Royal Marines. So, he did just that and by the age of 18 he broke his foot and in the company of his friends he went on holiday to Miami, spending time working and on the beach.

One day Scott was spotted by a world famous photographer Bruce Webber and he offered him a green card just like that and from then, he earned himself a successful career as a International model working for the likes of Versace.

Scott traveled the world, staying in hotels, fast cars and beautiful girls. It was a great time for him because he was earning good money and getting to see the world. Modelling in glamorous locations, very stunning locations and doing modeling such as catalog work, magazine photo shoots and cat walking.

By the end of 5 years, Scott was in his twenties and he was advised by actor Bill Paxton to turn to acting. Three years at the Guildhall, meeting up with his pal Orlando Bloom, he graduated and was offered the part in Snatch playing the part Nick Moran ended up playing. However, because of his on-going education in theater and drama he had to drop the offer. Eventually he did the Lock, Stock... (2000) TV series with Ralph Winter, which was shown on Channel 4.

After a string of roles including Highlander The Raven TV series Dead on Arrival and guest roles in Heartbeat and Peak Practice, he landed the plum part of Detective Sergeant Phil Hunter in The Bill (1984), one of the most popular series on ITV in the UK, in a part especially written for him.

Adrian Biddle was born on 20 July 1952 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He was a cinematographer, known for V for Vendetta (2005), Thelma & Louise (1991) and 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992). He was married to Mo. He died on 7 December 2005 in London, England, UK.

Jack Ryder was born on 21 September 1981 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He is an actor and director, known for EastEnders (1985), Popcorn (2007) and Act of Memory: A Christmas Story (2011). He was previously married to Kym Marsh.

Graham Baker was born in November 1938 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He is a director and writer, known for Alien Nation (1988), Leaving Lily (1975) and Beowulf (1999). He has been married to Annabel Jane Cameron since 1981.

Ian Wright was born on 3 November 1963 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He is an actor, known for The Kitchen (2023), Gun of the Black Sun (2011) and Football's 47 Best Worst Songs (2018). He has been married to Nancy Hallam since 2011. They have two children. He was previously married to Debbie Martin.

Victor Brooks was born on 11 November 1918 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Goldfinger (1964), Department S (1969) and The Day of the Triffids (1963). He died on 19 January 2000 in Dorset, England, UK.

Adam Biddle was born in 1967 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He is a cinematographer and director, known for V for Vendetta (2005), Crank (2006) and Event Horizon (1997).

Although born in London the family moved to Newcastle Upon Tyne where she started acting at the age of 4 and led to her doing repertory with Harry Hanson which gave her a complete mastery of drama, comedy, singing, dancing and accents giving her the keys to versatility, adaptability and humour as she involved herself into every portrayal which she did in two periods as the leading lady at the Palace Theatre . Westcliffe. She made many appearances in London's West End - The Love Match with Arthur Askey at The Palace and Victoria Palace,' Anne of Green Gables'at the Garrick, 22 months as Mrs Price - Ridley in Agatha Christie's 'Murder at the Vicarage' ,then a long run in 'The Canterbury Tales at the Phoenix and the revival at the Shaftsbury, at one point taking the lead as the Wife of Bath. Around London there were many appearances and pantomimes at the Players plus comedy seasons at Blackpool in comedies - 'Who's Your Funny Friend' with Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warris and 'Friends and Neighbours' with Arthur Askey which transferred to London. Television work included many comedies such as 'Meet the Wife'. 'Terry and June', 'The Two Ronnies', and three series of 'Blackadder'.

Marie Wright was born on 18 December 1861 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Silver Top (1938), A Cup of Kindness (1934) and Quinneys (1919). She was married to Nelson Barry. She died on 1 May 1949 in Hendon, Middlesex, England, UK.

Barbara Bermel was born on 21 October 1938 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. She was an actress, known for Crane (1963), Wodehouse Playhouse (1974) and The Treasure Seekers (1961). She died on 5 July 1999 in Westminster, London, England, UK.

Brian Doyle was born on 26 November 1930 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He is known for Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977), Alien (1979) and For Your Eyes Only (1981). He died on 23 January 2008 in Putney, London, England, UK.

John Hale was born on 5 February 1926 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He was a writer and director, known for Anne of the Thousand Days (1969), Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) and ITV Television Playhouse (1955). He was married to Valerie June Bryan. He died in 1997.

Richard Burrell was born on 4 June 1925 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Web (1957), Murder at Site 3 (1959) and BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950). He died on 13 July 1984 in Maidstone, Kent, England, UK.

Christopher Rowan Robinson was born in 1915 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for The Fame of Grace Darling (1939), Behind the Schemes (1939) and Money for Jam (1939). He died on 17 June 2011 in Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, UK.

Shirley Muslin was born in 1932 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. Shirley is known for This Is Tom Jones (1969), Thriller (1973) and Luna (1983). Shirley was previously married to Dennis Bartlett.

Paddy Bush was born on 9 December 1952 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He is an actor, known for Kate Bush Live at Hammersmith Odeon (1981), The Line, the Cross & the Curve (1993) and Nationwide (1969).

John Antrobus was born on 2 July 1933 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He is a writer and actor, known for The Bed Sitting Room (1969), Carry on Columbus (1992) and Jazz Boat (1960).

Dennis Bowen was born on 7 December 1916 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for BBC Sunday-Night Theatre (1950), Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass (1948) and La belle Hélène (1951). He was married to Billie Baker. He died on 5 October 1999 in Bath, Somerset, England, UK.

Helen Banks was born on 15 June 1963 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. She is an actress, known for Fan (2016), Phantom (2015) and '83 (2021). She has been married to Richard Banks since 15 April 1995. They have two children.

Anthony Stanier was born in 1968 in Woolwich, London, England, UK. He is known for The Double (2013), Blue Ice (1992) and Devil's Playground (2010).