14 Facts About Maria Charles

Maria Zena Schneider, known professionally as Maria Charles, was an English film, television and stage actress, director and comedienne.

Maria Charles was probably best known for her performance as the overbearing mother Bea Fisher in the ITV sitcom Agony.

Maria Charles Zena Schneider was born in London on 22 September 1929.

Maria Charles was the daughter of David Schneider and Celia Schneider.

Maria Charles's father was a hairdresser who used the soubriquet "Mr Charles".

Maria Charles had an exceptionally long acting career that spanned over seven decades.

Maria Charles made her stage debut as the Dormouse in a 1945 production of Alice in Wonderland at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing and her West End theatre debut in the Pick up Girl at the Prince of Wales Theatre in 1946.

Maria Charles appeared in the original London production of The Boy Friend as 'Dulcie' which ran for a total of 2,082 performances.

Maria Charles played the part of 'Solange Lafitte' in the original West End production of Follies at the Shaftesbury Theatre by Stephen Sondheim.

Maria Charles has worked extensively in theatre, TV and films and has carved a niche for herself on television playing clingy Jewish mothers.

Maria Charles appeared in the memorable BBC Play for Today anthology TV series, in the TV play the Bar Mitzvah Boy which won the BAFTA, British Academy Television Award for ; in 1977 it was placed 56th in a BFI poll of the 100 Greatest British Television Programmes of the 20th century, voted by industry professionals.

Maria Charles played Maureen Lipman's character's mother in the ITV sitcom Agony from 1979 to 1981.

Maria Charles was survived by two daughters; Kelly, an actress, and Samantha, a production stage manager.

Maria Charles appeared in Angel Pavement, Down Our Street, Easter Passion, The Fourth Wall, The Good Old Days, La Ronde, Rogue's Gallery, Shine on Harvey Moon, Turn Out the Lights, The Ugliest Girl in Town, The Voice of the Turtle, and Sheppey.