Ellen Baker obituary
In 1950, my mother, Ellen Baker, who has died aged 98, was in the cast of Treasure Hunt, a comedy directed by John Gielgud and starring Sybil Thorndike at the Apollo theatre in London.
Standing at the stage door one night, Ellen spotted, and was instantly drawn to, a young Welsh actor, Stanley Baker. He had turned up with his friend, Richard Burton, to see the play. The attraction was instant and she and Stanley were married at St George’s, Hanover Square, less than four months after their first meeting.
Ellen’s influence on my father’s choice of film roles was critical. He would not commit to a project before she had given her approval of the script. Her commitment to his life as an actor continued when, in 1963, Stanley entered the world of film production with his first project, Zulu, in which he also starred.
He and Ellen with their young family travelled to South Africa, where they filmed for nearly a year, with a cast and crew that included a young Michael Caine. The movie depicted the battle of Rorke’s Drift and achieved global success; 60 years on it is still rated among the greatest war films.
Ellen was one of the two daughters of Ellen (nee Davenport) and George Martin, a successful wholesale greengrocer with holdings in North End Road and Covent Garden markets. She went to Fulham county school (now Fulham Cross girls’ school) and in 1943 won an acting scholarship to Rada, where she flourished, studying alongside Roger Moore, Jill Bennett and Denholm Elliott, who all became friends.
A busy and promising postwar acting career followed, with seasons in repertory at Windsor’s Theatre Royal, various UK tours, film and television work, and roles in West End plays.
Ellen was a champion of contemporary art, fashion and the the performing arts; among her many achievements she singlehandedly raised charitable donations for the Polka Children’s theatre in Wimbledon to install a large interior lift, making it possible for children using wheelchairs to attend performances.
She lived out her final years in Barnes, south-west London, and is fondly remembered for her lifelong love of bold colour and design and her signature Vidal Sassoon bob. She was often spotted, well into her late 90s, driving around Barnes in her black and white Smart car.
Stanley died in 1976. Ellen is survived by her children, Martin, Glyn, Adam and me, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
