‘Willow’ and ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ star Jean Marsh dies aged 90

Actress Jean Marsh, who was well known for starring in 1980s fantasy film Willow as well as TV series Upstairs Downstairs, has died aged 90.

The news of her death over the weekend was confirmed by friend and director Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who revealed she passed away from complications around dementia.

“Jean died peacefully in bed looked after by one of her very loving carers,” he said (via The Guardian). “You could say we were very close for 60 years. She was as wise and funny as anyone I ever met, as well as being very pretty and kind, and talented as both an actress and writer.”

“An instinctively empathetic person who was loved by everyone who met her. We spoke on the phone almost every day for the past 40 years,” he added

Marsh played the role of villainous queen Bavmorda in Willow, which was based on a story by George Lucas and also starred Warwick Davis, Joanne Whalley, Patricia Hayes and the late Val Kilmer.

She and Kilmer – who himself passed away earlier this month aged 65 – appeared via archive footage in the recent Disney+ revival.

She famously co-created and starred in UK TV series Upstairs Downstairs, which depicts the lives of the servants and masters in a London house in the early 20th century.

Marsh played the role of maid Rose Buck across the show, which ran between 1971 and 1975 and earned her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

She returned to the role for a revival between 2010 and 2012, appearing alongside co-creator Eileen Atkins as well as new stars Claire Foy and Keeley Hawes.

Many have paid tribute to Marsh on social media since the news emerged.

RIP to the great Jean Marsh, who my generation mainly remember for being Rose on Upstairs Downstairs.
Few knew she'd actually created the series and was a formidable & successful writer/performer.
Was married to John Pertwee too. Yes she was!#MrsWorzelhttps://t.co/rsUBM1Wlov pic.twitter.com/dhALObdmvB

— Danny Baker (@prodnose) April 13, 2025

Sad to learn of the passing of the incomparable Jean Marsh, aged 90

Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/cYT0Oiq51J

— Friends Of Ace (@friendoface) April 13, 2025

Oh no, I've just read the very sad news that Jean Marsh has died. She was a truly wonderful actress.

She'll always be Rose Buck to me, and along with Eileen Atkins, created one of the best shows ever made – Upstairs, Downstairs.

RIP Jean, and thank you. pic.twitter.com/wwZcGLXk5Z

— Lewis (@lewispringle) April 13, 2025

So sad to hear that actress and writer Jean Marsh has passed away. Loved her performances in so many stage, screen and TV roles, from The Twilight Zone, Danger Man, The Saint, Gideon's Way, Upstairs, Downstairs, and always electric in theatre productions. pic.twitter.com/ABNYvjHace

— Rodney Marshall (@RodneyMarshall1) April 13, 2025

 

Across her career, Marsh also appeared in films such as Cleopatra, Return To Oz and The Heavy, as well as TV series Doctor Who, Hawaii Five-O, Sense And Sensibility and Grantchester.

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