Beloved Actress Patricia Routledge, Iconic for Hyacinth Bucket, Dies at 96
Performer Patricia Routledge, famous for portraying the character Hyacinth Bucket in the classic television comedy the series Keeping Up Appearances, has passed away at the age of 96, her agent announced.
Beyond that, she featured in Alan Bennett's TV monologues and took on the role of BBC One's crime-solving retiree Hetty Wainthropp.
"We mournfully announce to confirm the death of Patricia Routledge, who passed away peacefully in her sleep recently with loved ones near."
"At the remarkable age of 96, Dame Patricia's passion for her work and for connecting with live audiences never waned, just as modern audiences have continued to find her through her cherished screen performances."
Her agent noted: "Her absence will be deeply felt by those closest to her and by her loyal fans globally."
An Illustrious Career
Patricia Routledge was most famous as the character Hyacinth Bucket - who insisted it be said "bouquet" - a humorous character who embodied the peak of English pretension and snobbery.
"Hyacinth is a terrible snob and I loved portraying her enormously," the star remarked.
Keeping Up Appearances ran from the early 1990s, and soon after she was named the nation's most popular actress at the television awards.
Beyond television, she found acclaim on stage as well as screen after starting her career in the stage in the mid-20th century.
Following roles in London theater, she made a name in the US when she won the Broadway trophy for outstanding actress in a musical on Broadway for Darling of the Day in 1968.
She proved equally skilled at intense theater as she was at musicals and comedy - she took part in Richard III and Henry V at the RSC, then won an Olivier Award for best actress in a musical for Candide in the 1980s decade.
The 80s also saw her become a true national TV star - being given roles by comedian Victoria Wood in her comedy series, and Alan Bennett in three of his renowned Talking Heads monologues, including the 1988 piece A Lady of Letters, for which she was given a Bafta nomination.
She received two further Bafta nominations, for Keeping Up Appearances, in 1992 and 1993, then starred in the title role as a retired woman on a quest to solve crimes in the series Hetty Wainthropp Investigates between 1996 to 1998.
She received an OBE in 1993, a Commander of the British Empire in 2004, and the title of Dame in 2017.
A Remarkable Life
With her memorable characters, Patricia Routledge brought laughter and delight to millions, creating a extensive body of work that remains cherished by fans for generations to come.
