Horror movie icon Barbara Shelley has died aged 88, her agent has confirmed.
When sharing the information, Thomas Bowington revealed that Shelley had contracted COVID-19 in hospital, although “it wasn’t the COVID that took her”.
Shelley, who was hailed because the ‘technicolour queen of Hammer’ and remembered as an early horror icon, starred in numerous Hammer Horror movies throughout the Fifties and 60s together with Dracula and The Gorgon.
Asserting the information, Bowington mentioned: “She actually was Hammer’s primary main girl and the technicolour queen of Hammer. On display screen she may very well be quietly evil. She goes from statuesque magnificence to simply animalistic wildness.
Barbara Shelley in ‘Rasputin the Mad Monk’ (1966). Credit score: Alamy Inventory Picture.
“She was an everyday favorite of Hammer occasions and autograph exhibits but in addition carried out on stage with the RSC.”
Bowington added that it “wasn’t the COVID” that prompted Shelley’s eventual dying, and that “she had underlying points”.
He went on to elucidate that she contracted coronavirus whereas in hospital for a routine muscle check-up, saying: “However after that she had an an infection and was in hospital by herself for 2 weeks earlier than Christmas. It’s almost definitely COVID goes to return up on the dying certificates.”
Tributes have poured in on social media following the information of Shelley’s dying. One fan wrote: “She matched Christopher Lee’s Dracula and Rasputin for blazing bravura. She turned the cat woman and the Gorgon; fought the mad medicos of Wolfit and Cushing; inhabited a village of the damned and channelled the Martians. Our biggest horror actress.”
Barbara Shelley has died. She matched Christopher Lee’s Dracula and Rasputin for blazing bravura. She turned the cat woman and the Gorgon; fought the mad medicos of Wolfit and Cushing; inhabited a village of the damned and channelled the Martians. Our biggest horror actress. pic.twitter.com/EcPKX77W3J
— James Swanton (@jamescswanton) January 4, 2021
One other wrote: “So very unhappy to listen to of the passing of #BarbaraShelley. A darling particular person and a gifted actress. Once we labored collectively on Planet of Fireplace she was so type to me. She gave me somewhat owl, nonetheless in my possession and a few good recommendation. #RIPBarbaraShelley Smart and fantastic girl.”
So very unhappy to listen to of the passing of #BarbaraShelley. A darling particular person and a gifted actress. Once we labored collectively on Planet of Fireplace she was so type to me. She gave me somewhat owl, nonetheless in my possession and a few good recommendation. #RIPBarbaraShelley Smart and fantastic girl. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/O4keVU7ow5
— Nicola Bryant (@thenicolabryant) January 4, 2021
See extra tributes to the late Barbara Shelley under.
Hammer horror film legend Barbara Shelley has sadly handed away at age of 88. A few of her work included The Gorgon, Dracula, Prince Of Darkness, Blood Of The Vampire, and Village Of The Damned. pic.twitter.com/2Ouc7TUfXW
— Horror Necronomicon (@horrornecronom) January 4, 2021
Barbara Shelley exhibits her nice skill on this scene with Chris Lee from ‘Rasputin, The Mad Monk’ Hammer (1966) pic.twitter.com/zHxnWrPan9
— Hammer Horror Movies (@HorrorHammer1) January 4, 2021
I beloved Barbara Shelley in a number of the Hammer movies she was in, particularly her greatest function I appreciated her in was, Dracula: Prince Of Darkness. It was a disgrace her vampire bought steaked by the bearded priest in it!
She was a superb Hammer Horror movie actress! https://t.co/ovLbcfgTiW
— Marie-Clare ?????? (@MarieClare_) January 5, 2021
Relaxation In Peace to Barbara Shelley, certainly one of Hammer’s biggest abilities and certainly one of my all-time favourite actresses. She will probably be tremendously missed, however we’re so fortunate to have her work. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9v7JiNT38l
— Cobwebs: A Gothic Cinema Podcast (@cobwebspod) January 4, 2021
