- Born
- Birth nameRita Gemma Gabriel
- Height5′ 2″ (1.57 m)
- Her father, Gabriel, was a bus conductor and her mother, Lillian, was a dancer and comedienne in the music halls. Gemma made her debut at the age of three, singing 'Out of my Heart' at the Marymont Hall in Dublin, winning 1st prize. The family eventually moved to Westcliff on Sea when she was nine, where her father worked on Ford's production line. Gemma's first professional part was in 'The Flower Drum Song' at the Little Theatre. She then became ASM at the Palace Theatre, Westcliff, which was her first full-time job. Her first professional stage role was in 'Cinderella' in 1960.
- IMDb mini biography by: Tonyman 5
- SpousesDavid Beamish(1990 - 1999) (divorced)Frazer Hines(1981 - 1984) (divorced)
- Her father suffered from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) for seven years before he died. This is the same disease that actor Dudley Moore died from.
- Her family moved from Dublin, Ireland when she was 10-years old
- Won the award for Best Actress in a Musical in the 1980 Laurence Olivier Awards for her performance in 'They're Playing Our Song'.
- Attended St Bernard's Convent High School for Girls in Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex.
- She sprang to fame with the film The Slipper and the Rose.
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