Friends and colleagues recall the life and career of the much missed British character actress Yootha Joyce. Originally shown on ITV in the UK during October 2001.
As I get older, I now appreciate how brilliant both Brian and Yootha were as comedy actors. Great to know they were good friends. My rescue dogs are called George & Mildred.
Its hard to believe that Yootha was only 53 years old when she died. She died way back in 1980 just after making the movie spin-off of "George & Mildred" Sadly missed r.i.p. Yootha
I remember being 6 yrs old 1979. Out with my grandparents and my grandma took me into this shop. I was talking to the shopkeeper when my grandmother went wide eyed and step backwards. My grandmother was a strong woman she looked startled. This woman step forward and looked down at me and smiled . I noticed her ice blue eyes that were like my late father's . I did what anyone that young did and appologised and backed up and she said no serve this lass first. I knew the voice sounded familiar but I didn't say anything. I was shy. When I left the shop my grandmother pulled me aside and said your lucky. I asked why and she said I'd just met Yootha Joyce . Of course I didn't really know who she was a the time. Less than a year later she died. I didn't realise who she was til I watched reruns of George & Mildred on BBC . I didn't know to much later she'd died so young . I just remember those eyes looking at me and a small smile . And how despite being a well known actress she let me go first in the shop. I guess she had a fondness for people who didn't bother her . And because when she looked at me I didn't act like a crazy fan. She was from what I could see a nice lady. She seemed quite and unassuming. But she sure as hell frightened my grandma .
Yootha was just a great actress. She brought lot of happiness into my childhood and to the cuban people. I will never forget such great actress along with Richard O'Sullivan,Brian Murphy, Sally Thomsett and Paula Wilcox. I have just loved all of them.
Douglas Oviche You are making me laugh here Douglas - she was a hit in Cuba too? Estaba doblado me imagino, pero bien espero. Es chistoso como ciertos grandes trascienden idiomas y culturas. Me hace pensar en Matt Monro que era super popular en el mundo latino, cantando en espanol sin tener ni idea del idioma. Ironicamente era otro que murio joven de mucho trago y cigarillo ( y Nat King Cole tambien ).
A sad and shocking loss at such a young age. Often forgotten until her name is mentioned when the reply is often "Ahhh, yes, I forgot her....what a star" .... and indeed she was.
Yootha's story is such a tragic one,she had so so much more to give, as someone who is now T total I can't help feeling that in a different era it would have been far easier for her to get the help she needed. I'm a huge George and Mildred fan, and I must say at times of weakness I think of Yootha and how the time she found herself in compounded her issues,in doing that her memory gives me strength. I never met Yootha,but she's played an important role in my sobriety and life. Thankyou Yootha rest easy Xx
I absolutely love all the actors from Man about the House and George and Mildred. Having been fortunate enough to have personally spoken to Brian Murphy just a few weeks ago I can say he is a true gent and could tell he had great personal affection for Yootha Joyce.
If you ever speak to him again. Tell him love fro me here in notts ,I watched all the reruns in the 90s and adored it all ,,I was very small when yootha died but I must say I was and still am a fan of them both x
Yootha Joyce was the only person who said GEORGE in the right way🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣RIP Yootha Joyce you will always be remembered for Man about the house and George and Mildred and are truely missed.
Love Yootha .....Unforgettable? Definitely and her pairing with the wonderful Brian Murphy was a master stroke. To this day George and Mildred remains one of the finest and funniest sit coms I have ever had the pleasure of watching.
I just got finished watching all of the Man About the House. I'm the same age Yootha was when she died. I just feel so sad that she left us at such a young age. I'm not sure why it's really bothering me so much but it really has done. RIP Yootha. You are loved still, my Dear!
They don't make sitcoms like they used, that's why they're still repeated regularly today. A different class really because they were usually all professional actors and actresses who'd learned their trade on the stage. Not the same today and not sure how many of today's sitcoms will still be showing in 30 or 40 years.
+Miss Undaztood no they dont make decent tv shows now thats why i watch old British tv shows and look for the dvds when i can in new york my all time fav are Man about the house George and Mildred and American version Threes Company
+C. W.B. Install Kodi on a PC or Android device and then add the Zeus repository and you can watch them all for free on there, all the British comedies and US comedies, there's a enormous library of old TV programmes on it.
I was recommended George and Mildred by RU-vid. I have absolutely enjoyed watching it! I have never even heard of the show before. I am a huge fan of Yootha now. She is delightful to watch! ❤ I started watching two’s company with Elaine stritch as well. 2 fabulous women!
I have just lost my brother due to alcohol abuse and it's the most slow and painful and intrusive ways for anyone to die . It took a very slow and painful 9 months for him to die. he was just 47 years old. and I never ever want to see somebody go through what he had to, but sadly it's happening more and more and the victims of this illness are getting younger and younger!
@Denise Saunders You said it in past tense and I hope that is accurate. I had the same problem and it cost me three relationships that I can only regret now. Please realise that your illness can be cured and I hope it is.
She reminded me of an Aunt. Now I see a bit of myself in her 🌟 She was actually a very kind character who was sort of tragically desperate for love and romance.
I loved both "Man About The House" and "George and Mildred" and always think of Yootha Joyce in her role as Mildred, not in a way that Mildred was the only character she was capable of portraying/type casting, but in an affectionate way; I wish she could have found happiness and a way to beat her demons, 53 is no age. RIP Yootha Joyce🌹💍📿💄👗👠
What a sad ending to such a talented person.I can still watch Man about the house and George and Mildred, they were the perfect pairing.I loved the way George would squirm out of a bit of leg over,dont know if she ever got him in the mood.Bring these back again,the whole cast worked so well together.R.I.P. Yootha.,such a sad loss.🙏🙏
Fame and fortune don't always guarantee you happiness. It can give you access to many things you may otherwise not be privvy to (or in Yooth's case exasperate pre-existing problems) but beyond that the road can be a very lonely one. Despite major success in career it was obvious that Yootha Joyce led a sad, solitary life and sought comfort in alcohol which would be her undoing. Such a pity she wasn't able to find the kind of happiness she craved and needed and that it would be something that ultimately eluded her. RIP funny lady.....
Absolutely admire this wonderful lady 🌟 Just wish she was still here with all her devoted fans who just love and adore her 🌸 Yootha Joyce is an absolute angel and will always be remembered 💓 I first saw Yootha in George and Mildred on ITV3 my mum told me to leave it on and I am so glad she said to now because she's become not just my idol but a friend too💐 I've become such great friends with her co-star on Man About The House the lovely Sally Thomsett so I always think of Yootha as my friend too 😘 RIP to a true diamond of a lady and my fave actress in the universe Yootha Joyce sleep tight angel love you millions 💋 #YoothaJoyceBiggestFan ❤
***** I was at my grandparents house in Bargoed South Wales when for my 11th birthday when we saw the news, Brian Murphy was interviewed, I can still remember what he said, ''Poor old George has lost his wife''! I also liked George and Mildred and Man about the house.
A beautyfull lady Who made me laugh and cry. Tot bad she die at a too young age. She will be remembered as Mildred of George, bus I also remeber her as the british comédienne Who became a part of my live and laughter.
I have just discovered Yootha Joyce. I don't think she was very well know in America. I watched one episode of George and Mildred and was hooked. I love the show, and I love Yootha Joyce. Horrible shame to lose such a wonderful actress so young. She was fantastic.
George & Mildred became the breakout stars of Man About the House. When the first series of G&M launched it was a sensation, everybody watched it and it was of course the most popular show on UKTV. Today they would've made a fortune! Remember Yootha passing it was like losing a family member.
another example of bad things happen to good people.......love this lady.....may be if she had any kid or two, she was still alive with us......loneliness kills the human more quickly than any addiction
Possibly so. But if so only because nobody has told you enough to provide you with a modicum of insight into the impact of modern street drugs. Loneliness must be bloody awful too, but ..........
Yes how true. I lost my brother last year to the same illness and after his marriage broke down his drinking got worse. It took 9 months for him to die and it's one of the most painful and intrusive ways for anyone to die. he was only 47 just before he passed he looked in his 70s. I never want to see anyone else go through what he had to. but it's happening more and more with younger and younger people. its just heart braking.
+Stuart Lee he had two brothers and three sisters and he was the only one out of all of us that didn't have kids. he tried and tried but wasn't blessed. he used to cry to my mum and say to her "I'm the only one mum. I'm the only one without children" and it was all he ever wanted. After his marriage broke down I just think he'd had enough of this reality, and threw in the towel. since he died last June he's all I think about. We were working mates as well as brothers and we were very close.
She was a truly talented actress, she and Brian where a wonderful double act. It’s so sad that she died so young, I believe Brian was with her when she died in hospital, a true friendship.
I was 5 when she died so sad she died so young you watch interview s at the end of her life the poor woman didn't look too well Alcohol ruins so many lives RIP Yootha x
I grew up watching both man about the house and George and Mildred, and when watching yootha Joyce she was 1 very attractive lady always smartly dressed.
Yootha was such a iconic character actress the likes of we probably never see again so versatile as a character actress such a shame she had demons with the alcohol and fears of being typecast having watched and own every episode of George and Mildred and man about the house that George and Mildred spun off from every time I watch the dvds I still laughing out loud at them R.I.P Yootha ❤
I was a child when this was on TV...aww the memories...George n mildred🥰..I loved them both..n watching as an adult I see the clever innuendos and looks that went waaay over my head back in the day...yootha was so young to leave us...53😔..Brian Murphy still going strong....thanku for the memories 🥰
I remember seeing Yootha for the first time in "Fanatic", or better known here in the U.S. as "Die! Die! My Darling!" w/Tallulah Bankhead. I loved Miss Joyce as the hard-as-nails servant, Anna. What a scary/fun movie that is! I am looking forward to seeing her in the early 60's classic, "The Pumpkin Eater." I understand Yootha has an incredible scene in a beauty shoppe w/Anne Bancroft. Two legendary ladies of the cinema we certainly miss.....🎥🎞️🍿😊
I just read a bio about Yootha. It was quite a sad read being honest, she grew to loathe playing Mildred and was hassled by fans, as was Brian. She said by the time they filmed the final series just seeing the name 'Mildred' on the script made her want to scream. She drank herself to death. Such a sad loss, she was so talented.
Amazing actress sadly missed and such a tragic end. Wonder work!! Loved you on the ( on the buses) so funny. But my favourite was most definitely George & Mildred xx rip 😘
