Elisabeth Sladen

Elisabeth Clara Heath-Sladen(1 February 1946 (often misquoted as 1948) – 19 April 2011) was an English actress best known for her role as Sarah Jane Smith in the British television series Doctor Who. She was a regular cast member from 1973 to 1976, alongside both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker, and reprised the role many times in subsequent decades, both on Doctor Who and its spin-offs, K-9 and Company and The Sarah Jane Adventures. Sladen was the only child of Tom Sladen, who fought in World War I and served in the Home Guard during World War II, and Gladys (née Trainer). She developed an interest in performing at an early age, beginning dance lessons when she was five, and dancing in one production with the Royal Ballet. She was a primary...