Joan Rhodes | |
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| Born | (1921-04-13)13 April 1921 |
| Died | 30 May 2010(2010-05-30) (aged 89) |
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Joan Rhodes (13 April 1921[1] – 30 May 2010) was a Britishperformer,wrestler,stuntwoman andstrongwoman.[2] Born into poverty in London, she and her siblings were deserted by their parents. Following unhappy spells in theworkhouse and with an aunt, she left home at 14.[3] Aftersleeping rough inBrewer Street inSoho, she joined atravelling fair, where she got the idea for her act after seeing a professional strongman at work.
She began as a variety andcabaret performer during the 1950s and '60s. Her popularity increased due to her early appearances on television shows in the US and UK, including Ed Sullivan'sThe Toast of the Town (1955) and theBob Hope Christmas Show. It was in the latter that, on stage inIceland on 27 December 1955, Rhodes lifted, then accidentally dropped,Bob Hope, while entertaining troops for theUSO.[4]
As a stunt performer, she worked on films, includingFanny by Gaslight (1944). She appeared as herself performing some of her strength feats in theVernon Sewell-directed crime caperJohnny, You're Wanted (1956). She also appeared inBurke & Hare (1972),The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) andThe Elephant Man (1980).[5]
Her autobiography,Coming on Strong, was published in 2007. In her later years, she ran a small café inCrouch Hill just down the road from theMountview Theatre School (now moved) and she was popular with its students.
Joan Rhodes died on 30 May 2010, aged 89.[6] On 11 June 2010,BBC Radio 4 in its "Last Word" programme covered her life with anecdotes byRoy Hudd, who had known her well.
During a fifth season episode of the BBC TV programmeThe Repair Shop that aired 13 December 2019, Triona Palmer, a friend of Joan Rhodes, brought in one of Rhodes's sequined stage costumes to be restored by embroidery specialist Sara Dennis.[7]
Rhodes was the subject ofBBC Radio 4'sGreat Lives, first broadcast on 24 May 2022[8]
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