ona Hammond has been hailed as a pioneer and trailblazer following her loss of life at 91.
The Jamaican-British actress, best regarded for actively playing Blossom Jackson in BBC cleaning soap EastEnders and Auntie Susu in sitcom Desmond’s, was a star of phase and monitor for a long time.
Hammond was designed an OBE in the 2005 Queen’s birthday honours listing for her products and services to drama. In 2018, she was awarded the Gals of the World lifetime achievement award for her theatre profession and championing black British actors.
The award came after she started the Talawa theatre corporation, one particular of the UK’s most notable black theatre companies, in reaction to the “lack of artistic prospects for black actors and the marginalisation of black peoples from cultural processes”, its internet site explained.
The organization said on Twitter: “We are devastated to hear of the passing of Mona Hammond OBE. As a single of the founders of Talawa, a trailblazer and champion of Black British theatre, Mona’s enthusiasm and eyesight will stay elementary to all we do, and her legacy will forever burn brilliant.”
Through her career, Hammond appeared as the matriarch of the Jackson loved ones from 1994 to 1997 on EastEnders for 233 episodes, returning in Oct 2010 for two episodes to show up at her on-display terrific-grandson Billie Jackson’s funeral.
It was her next visual appearance on the soap, owning played a more compact job of Michelle Fowler’s midwife in 1986.
Former EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison, who played Heather Trott in the cleaning soap, paid out tribute to Hammond on Tuesday, describing her as an “inspiration”.
She wrote on Instagram: “What a excellent actress and pioneering lady, RIP Mona Hammond 91 excellent several years of inspiration.”
Likewise, EastEnders stated it was “deeply saddened” to hear of her passing in a assertion.
It added: “Mona designed a no-nonsense grandmother in Blossom Jackson, who was adored by the audience and every person who labored with her. Our like and views are with Mona’s family members and friends.”
James Bond star Colin Salmon also thanked Hammond for “laying foundations” that the following generation could stand on in his tribute.
He wrote on Twitter: “Wonderful Mona Hammond. Fearless, dignified and pretty funny. Thank you for laying foundations we all stand on. RIP Queen.”
Peep Show and Noughts + Crosses actor Paterson Joseph agreed, as he hailed her as a “pioneer”.
He extra on Twitter: “Skilled. Humorous. And variety to me as a young actor. What a technology! We stand on their shoulders. Hardly ever Forgotten.”
Crimson Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules additional that modern society experienced “lost a Windrush legend” in his tribute.
Even though Unfastened Women presenter Charlene White claimed: “Mona Hammond, a trailblazer in each way. Thank you.”
Hammond also played Mabel Thompson, the grandmother of Amy Franks, in BBC radio drama The Archers and its adhere to-on present Ambridge Extra, 1st showing up in 2003.
The Archers reported that it was “such sad news” that the actress experienced died.
Marcus Ryder, chairman of the Royal Academy of Remarkable Artwork (Rada), tweeted: “It is with sadness that I wake up to the information Mona Hammond has died.
“Among her various achievements she co-started Talawa Theatre Organization in 1985. She was also a @Rada_London graduate and acquired an honorary Rada Fellowship in 2019.”
Bafta extra that it was “saddened” to hear the news, describing her as a “trailblazing actor who played a array of unforgettable roles across British television”
The academy added that its “thoughts are with her spouse and children and friends”.
Hammond was born Mavis Chin in Jamaica to a Jamaican mother and Chinese father, and in 1961 was awarded a scholarship to Rada. She graduated in 1964 getting moved to the British isles at the age of 28.
