Frances De La Tour

Frances J. de Lautour, better known as Frances de la Tour, is an acclaimed English actress with a career spanning multiple decades. She was born on 30 July 1944 in Bovingdon, Hertfordshire. Begun her acting career in 1965, she built her reputation over the years with her remarkable portrayals, particularly for her role as Miss Ruth Jones in the television sitcom Rising Damp from 1974 until 1978. De la Tour's talent extends beyond television, as evident from her stage performances. She marked her distinctive presence in theatre as Mrs. Lintott in the play The History Boys in London and on Broadway, for which she clinched the 2006 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play. She reprised this role in the 2006 film adaptation. Among her notable performances include Madame Olympe Maxime in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005). Through the 1980s and 1990s, De la Tour appeared in numerous television series. Despite having a prolific TV career, she is best known for playing spinster Ruth Jones in the successful Yorkshire Television comedy Rising Damp. Her career boasts of versatile roles, from her appearance in Doctor Who to her impactful role as Violet Crosby in ITV sitcom Vicious alongside Ian McKellen and Derek Jacobi. Outside her acting career, De la Tour has also made her name in the theatre, notably as a patron for the performing arts group Theatretrain until 2012. She was nominated for the 2006 BAFTA Award for Actress in a Supporting Role for her work on the film version of The History Boys. De la Tour's prowess in acting remains unwavered as she continues to play remarkable characters in recent productions.