Dynasty's Villianess Kate 0'Mara dead at 74!

 

LONDON (AP) - Actress Kate O'Mara, best known for her role in the 1980s soap opera "Dynasty," has died at the age of 74.

Kate O'Mara was an incredible Star on the Superhit 80's Campy drama, "Dynasty", I loved watching her every Wednesday evening at 9pm to see her compete with her sister Alexis Colby played by the iconic Joan Collins.

Co-star Joan Collins tweeted, "Tragic news about Kate O'Mara , we had great fun on Dynasty when she played my sister Caress... RIP."

Her agent Phil Belfield said O'Mara died Sunday in a nursing home in southern England after a short illness.

The actress, who began her television career in the 1960s, became a household name for playing Alexis Colby's scheming Superbitch sister Cassandra "Caress" Morrell in "Dynasty." She also appeared in the original run of British series "Doctor Who" and BBC drama "Howards' Way."

In Britain she is often remembered for her role in “Triangle” — a soap opera set aboard a North Sea ferry that is often cited as the worst piece of British television.

She also appeared in the original run of British series “Doctor Who” and BBC drama “Howards’ Way.” She also appeared as Marlene Dietrich in the British play.. 
 In the 1990s she starred in the comedy show “Absolutely Fabulous” with Joanna Lumley.
More recently she appeared in a 2012 stage adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile.” 

Co-stars and fans of Kate O'Mara, who died today aged 74, have paid tribute to the prolific British actress - with former Dr Who actor Tom Baker saying 'we are the poorer' following her death. 

The British actress died this morning in a Sussex nursing home after a short illness.
She was best known for her role as Cassandra 'Caress' Morrell - the sister of Joan Collins' Alexis Colby - in the US soap. She also held major roles in Doctor Who, Howards' Way and Triangle.
Her agent Phil Belfield said today: 'She was extraordinary, she had so much energy and vitality with a love for theatre and acting.'

 

Former Dr Who Tom Baker wrote: 'Oh my goodness. Kate O'Mara is no longer with us. Sad sad news. A delightful, committed and talented lady and actress. We are the poorer'
Kate's former co-star Tweeted Bonnie Langford: 'So sad to hear that the wonderful Kate O'Mara has gone. Treasured memories xxx' 

Presenter and chat show host Graham Norton wrote: 'Kate O'Mara is no more. Only 74! I loved every encounter I had with her. Today doesn't seem so sunny.'
The official account for BAFTA tweeted: 'We're saddened to learn that Kate O'Mara, who starred in Dynasty, has passed away.'
Kate was born Frances M Carroll in Leicester on August 10, 1939. She was born to actress Hazel Bainbridge and flying instructor John F Carroll.

 She made her debut on stage in a production of The Merchant of Venice in 1963. She then went on to appear in The Saint and The Avengers - among many other shows.

In the 70s, she appeared in The Brothers - a BBC drama - alongside Tom Baker.
She appeared in Triangle in the early 80s and, in one particularly memorable scene she sunbathed topless on a North Sea ferry.
It was her recurring role of Caress Morrell in Dynasty from 1986 onwards that saw the actress achieve international recognition.
She also appeared in the original run of Doctor Who opposite both Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy as renegade Time Lord The Rani.

The Rani first appeared 1985 - and appeared twice more in the cult television series.
In October 2013, the 50th anniversary of the show, Kate spoke to Digital Spy about returning to Doctor Who.
She said: 'I'll still be wearing the tight leather trousers and high-heel boots, regardless of what age!
'I have white hair now, but a lot of it, and I'm still very glamorous, so I won't disappoint!'

 She also told the Huffington Post: 'I'd love to come back as The Rani another time around.'To have a much older woman as your adversary, there's something interesting about that.'

 

In the late 80s, Kate starred as a ruthless businesswoman in BBC drama Howards' Way, which was dubbed the 'Dallas of the Seas'.
In the 1990s she starred in the comedy show Absolutely Fabulous as Jackie, the sister of Joanna Lumley's character Patsy.
More recently she had appeared in ITV soap Benidorm and a 2012 stage adaptation of Agatha Christie's Death On The Nile.
Kate had been married and divorced three times and had one son.

 Tragically in January 2013, Dickon O'Mara was found dead in a garage at his mother's home.

It is thought he had been dead for up to three weeks when his body was discovered.
An inquest in to his death heard how he had spiralled into a life of drink and drug abuse after suffering brain damage when he was run over three years earlier.
The theatre technician had been hit by a car in January 2010 and suffered brain injuries which affected his balance and left him unable to work. 

The inquest heard he appeared to have been sleeping in the garage of his mother’s home after she asked him to leave her cottage two months earlier because she could no longer cope with his behaviour.
By then, the actress had been hospitalised with pneumonia. She was still too ill to attend the inquest.
Kate is survived by her sister, the actress Belinda Carroll.
Mr Belfield said there would be a private funeral and a memorial service on a date to be confirmed.