Mona Hammond dies aged 91 as tributes pour in for EastEnders star

OHMYGOSSIP — Mona Hammond has died aged 91.
The Jamaican-British actress – known for her TV roles such as Blossom Jackson in ‘EastEnders’ and Aunt Susu in ‘Desmond’s’ – has passed away, leaving behind an incredible legacy.
Marcus Ryder – chair of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) – confirmed the news and tweeted: “It is with sadness that I wake up to the news Mona Hammond has died
“Among her numerous achievements she co-founded Talawa Theatre Company in 1985. She was also a @RADA_London graduate and received an honorary RADA Fellowship in 2019.”
Mona – who received an OBE for services to drama in 2005 – enjoyed a career spanning seven decades across stage and screen.
She played the Jackson family matriarch on ‘EastEnders’ from 1994 to 1997 before making a brief return in October 2010.
She had actually appeared in Albert Square before, having played a small role as Michelle Fowler’s midwife in 1986.
She also delighted sitcom fans as Auntie Susu in ‘Desmond’s’ from 1990 to 1994, and reprised her role in spin-off ‘Porkpie’ from 1995 to 1996.
Other roles included Nan in children’s TV series ‘Pig-Heart Boy’, and appearances in the likes of ‘Making Out’, ‘The Bill’, ‘A Touch of Frost’ and ‘Doctor Who’.
She founded Talawa in response to a lack of creative opportunities for black actors.
Mona is survived by her son and granddaughter.
Stars and fans have been paying tribute the late icon Mona following the news of her death, including ‘Loose Women’ presenter Charlene White.
She wrote: “Mona Hammond, a trailblazer in every way.”
Playwright Roy Williams wrote: “We are here because she was there.”
Cherrelle Skeete – who starred on stage in ‘Harry Potter And The Cursed Child’ – tweeted: Because of her we can. We know the mountains you moved.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

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