Dora Bryan Movies and Career Information

Dora May Bryan OBE (born 7 February 1923) is an actress of stage, film and television, possibly best-known for her role as Roz in the British television series Last of the Summer Wine. Bryan was born as Dora May Broadbent in Southport, Lancashire, England, and was recognised for her distinctive speaking voice, which became a trademark of her performances. Her father was a salesman and she attended Hathershaw County Primary School in Oldham, Lancashire. Her career began in pantomime before World War II, during which she joined the ENSA in Italy to entertain British troops. A petite, blonde with a Lancashire accent and expressive face adept at wide-eyed innocents whose naivete is played for laughs, Dora Bryan is a much-loved veteran character actress, often cast in films in eccentric or lower-class roles. She made her stage debut as a child in a pantomime in Manchester and encouraged by her mother joined the Oldham Repertory while still a teenager. After spending eight years honing her craft there, she headed for London to try her luck on stage. Cast in a production of Noel Coward's "Private Lives", the actress was encouraged to adopt a stage name by Coward himself. She opted for