Biography

Geraldine Gardner

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Geraldine didn't like the sound of her birth name for acting purposes so with her then agent Richard Stone, changed it to Trudi Van Doorn. This worked well for the number of comedy TV roles she was offered and enjoyed the work, particularly The Benny Hill Show franchise,Danger UXB, The Avengers and BBc's Are You Being Served. She was an excellent strong singer with a wide range, and in her own words a reasonably good dancer. Self deprecation was her usual way of coping. Truth was she was a first class dancer and had a powerful voice. She played Sheila in the original London West End production of Chorus Line, changing her professional Equity name to Geraldine Gardner she then almost immediately landed the part of Bombalurina in the original London production of Cats. Earlier in her career she was pencilled in for the role of Purdey in The Avengers but Joanna Lumley won that role. Her list of TV credits is extensive but you just have to look for three different names. One thing is certain her original birth name was never ever used by her professionally in Film, TV, and Theatre roles.
- IMDb mini biography by: Julian Bray

She was reportedly a talented singer, with a history of performing in various cabarets and music hall shows. However, Gardner struggled with addiction and was in and out of rehab throughout her career.
Gardner was considered for the role of Miss Purdy on "The Avengers," but the rival actress Joanna Lumley won that role.
Was considered for the role of Michelle Dubois in 'Allo 'Allo! (1982) before Kirsten Cooke was cast in the role as well as a possibly for the role of Yvette before the part went to Vicki Michelle.
Gardner was an activist for animal rights. She was a member of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, and she actively campaigned against animal testing.
In 1987, Gardner gave birth to two children. Suffering from postpartum depression, she committed suicide on January 9, 1987 in West Mersea, England. She took off her clothes and walked into the sea, dying from hypothermia.

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