Hattie Jacques remains one of the most beloved figures in British comedy, instantly recognizable for her work in the Carry On film series and her long-running television partnership with Eric Sykes. Born Josephine Edwina Jaques on 7 February 1922 in Sandgate, Kent, she built a career spanning radio, stage, and screen before her death on 6 October 1980 in London at the age of 58. Her life, however, involved more than just laughter—it included a very public divorce, a scandalous affair, and a legacy that continues to be examined decades later.
Jacques appeared in 14 Carry On films between 1958 and 1974, often playing stern authority figures such as matrons, headmistresses, and housekeepers. The Carry On series made her a household name, but her career extended well beyond it, encompassing early radio success on shows like Educating Archie, It’s That Man Again, and Hancock’s Half Hour, as well as television work that made her a familiar presence in British homes.
What Was Hattie Jacques’ Cause of Death?
- Hattie Jacques died of a heart attack; some reports add she was also suffering from kidney failure and had recently been hospitalized for breathing problems.
- Her death came at age 58, relatively young, and the exact circumstances are occasionally misreported in popular media.
- Her marriage to John Le Mesurier ended after she fell in love with John Schofield, a car dealer approximately 20 years her junior.
- Jacques remains one of the most recognized faces of the Carry On franchise, having appeared in 14 films across 16 years.
- Her height is listed by IMDb as 5′6″ (1.68 m), though this figure lacks official medical confirmation.
- She had two sons with Le Mesurier, and her private life was widely discussed at the time of their divorce.
- Her life story was dramatized in the BBC film Hattie (2011).
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Josephine Edwina Jaques |
| Born | 7 February 1922 |
| Died | 6 October 1980 (age 58) |
| Cause of Death | Heart attack (myocardial infarction); kidney failure also noted in some accounts |
| Height | 5′6″ (1.68 m) per IMDb; unverified from official sources |
| Spouse | John Le Mesurier (1949–1965) |
| Partner | John Schofield (from approximately 1965) |
| Children | 2 sons |
| Known For | Carry On films (14 appearances), Hancock’s Half Hour, Sykes |
| First Carry On Film | Carry On Sergeant (1958) |
Sources consistently state that Hattie Jacques died of a heart attack. One account adds that she had been suffering from kidney failure and had recently been hospitalized for breathing problems. Her death on 6 October 1980 ended a career that had defined British comedy for two decades.
Who Was Hattie Jacques’ Husband and Her Lover?
Marriage to John Le Mesurier
Hattie Jacques married actor John Le Mesurier in 1949. Le Mesurier later became widely known for his role in Dad’s Army, but at the time of their marriage both were rising figures in British entertainment. The couple had two sons together and appeared to be a stable show-business pair.
The Affair with John Schofield
Multiple sources report that the marriage ended after Jacques began a five-year affair with a younger man, later identified as John Schofield, a car dealer. According to biographical accounts, the relationship with Schofield began around 1964. The divorce, finalized in 1965, generated substantial media attention. Some initial press reports blamed Le Mesurier, but later biographical work attributed the separation to Jacques’s affair with Schofield.
At the time of the divorce, British media covered the separation extensively. The narrative shifted over time—early reports sometimes pointed to Le Mesurier, but subsequent biographies clarified that Jacques had been involved with Schofield for several years before the marriage ended. Sources such as the BBC and published biographies support this account.
Did Hattie Jacques Have Children?
Hattie Jacques and John Le Mesurier had two sons together. Sources identify the children as Robin and Christopher. Information about their later lives is not widely documented in public records, and privacy has largely been maintained around them. The family unit dissolved after the divorce, with Jacques entering a new relationship with John Schofield following the separation.
What Was Hattie Jacques Known For?
The Carry On Legacy
Hattie Jacques appeared in 14 Carry On films between 1958 and 1974, playing a range of formidable female characters. She became especially associated with the “Ooh, Matron!” image, though she played the matron role in only some of the films. Her work in the series made her one of the most recognizable comedy actresses of her generation.
Television and Radio Work
Beyond the Carry On series, Jacques built a substantial career in radio and television. She became a regular on Hancock’s Half Hour and enjoyed a long creative partnership with Eric Sykes, appearing in Sykes and Sykes and a…. Her early radio success included work on Educating Archie and It’s That Man Again. The BBC notes that her radio career was foundational to her popularity.
Jacques performed across multiple mediums. She began acting in repertory theatre before moving into radio, television, and film. Her versatility allowed her to maintain steady work throughout the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, culminating in her final film appearance in Carry On Emmannuelle (1978).
Was Hattie Jacques on This Is Your Life?
Some sources suggest that Hattie Jacques was featured on the television program This Is Your Life. One recurring claim—that she was the first woman to appear on the show—has emerged in fan discussions and some biographical notes, but this assertion lacks strong corroboration from authoritative sources. The claim remains in the realm of uncertainty.
How Tall Was Hattie Jacques?
IMDb lists her height as 5′6″ (1.68 m). No official medical records confirming this measurement are widely available, and the figure appears to come from secondary or fan sources. Her physical presence, often described as larger than life, certainly contributed to her comedic roles, particularly the imposing characters she portrayed in the Carry On series. Her weight is not documented in reliable records, though her size was a notable part of her public image.
A Timeline of Hattie Jacques’ Life
- 1922: Born in Sandgate, Kent.
- 1940s: Begins acting career in repertory theatre and radio.
- 1949: Marries actor John Le Mesurier.
- 1950s: Becomes a regular on Hancock’s Half Hour radio show.
- 1958: Appears in her first Carry On film (Carry On Sergeant).
- 1964: Begins affair with John Schofield.
- 1965: Divorces John Le Mesurier.
- 1970s: Continues acting in TV and film; health begins to decline.
- 1980: Dies of a heart attack, aged 58; buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kensal Green, London.
What Is Certain and What Remains Unclear About Hattie Jacques?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Hattie Jacques died of a heart attack. Official death records and Wikipedia support this. | Her exact height. IMDb says 5′6″, but no official medical record has been widely published. |
| She had an affair with John Schofield, which ended her marriage to John Le Mesurier. Multiple biographies and the BBC confirm this. | The claim that she was the first woman on This Is Your Life. This lacks strong corroboration from authoritative sources. |
| She appeared in 14 Carry On films between 1958 and 1974. | The precise details of her sons’ later lives are not publicly documented. |
| She was married to John Le Mesurier from 1949 to 1965 and had two sons with him. | Her exact weight is not recorded in any reliable source. |
What Is the Context of Hattie Jacques’ Life and Career?
The intersection of Hattie Jacques’ public comedy persona and her private life presents a striking contrast. On screen, she often played jolly, authoritative figures—matrons, housekeepers, and headmistresses. Off screen, her personal life involved a very public divorce and a relationship with a younger man, which generated considerable scandal in 1960s Britain. The contrast between her wholesome screen image and the reality of her private struggles has drawn ongoing attention from biographers and fans.
Her legacy rests on several overlapping strands. She helped define the comic authority figure in British screen comedy, especially through the Carry On series. Her work with Eric Sykes made her a much-loved television presence. And her life story continued to attract attention after her death, culminating in the BBC film Hattie (2011), which dramatized her life and career.
Hattie Jacques was one of the most recognizable British comedy actresses of the mid-20th century. She helped define the comic authority figure in British screen comedy, especially through the Carry On series. Her work with Eric Sykes made her a familiar and much-loved television presence. Her life story continues to attract attention, as reflected in the BBC film Hattie (2011).
What Do the Sources Say About Hattie Jacques?
She was a wonderful comedienne and a lovely lady.
Sid James, often quoted in biographies about working with her in the Carry On films.
Hattie had married the Dad’s Army star in 1949 but after 14 years, she fell in love with someone new, Cockney car dealer John Schofield.
Sunday Post (2020), summarizing the breakdown of her personal life.
Best known for: Larger than life comedy actress who is most famous for being part of the repertory company of actors who made up the Carry On…
A Final Curtain Call blog (2016), obituary-style summary.
What Is the Overall Significance of Hattie Jacques?
Hattie Jacques remains a significant figure in British comedy history. Her 14 Carry On films, her radio work on Hancock’s Half Hour, and her television partnership with Eric Sykes established her as a defining comedic presence of the mid-20th century. Her personal life—the marriage to John Le Mesurier, the affair with John Schofield, and her two sons—adds a layer of complexity to her public image. She died of a heart attack at age 58, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be studied, celebrated, and occasionally re-evaluated.
For a comprehensive overview, the Hattie Jacques biography on Wikipedia provides the most detailed and cited source of information.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hattie Jacques
What was Hattie Jacques’ real name?
Her birth name was Josephine Edwina Jaques.
Did Hattie Jacques have a weight problem?
She was known for being a larger woman, which became part of her comedic persona, but there is no confirmed medical record of her exact weight.
Was Hattie Jacques in Dad’s Army?
No, but her husband John Le Mesurier was a star of Dad’s Army.
How many Carry On films was Hattie Jacques in?
She appeared in 14 Carry On films between 1958 and 1978.
How old was Hattie Jacques when she died?
She was 58 years old at the time of her death on 6 October 1980.
Where is Hattie Jacques buried?
She is buried at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Kensal Green, London.
Who was John Schofield in relation to Hattie Jacques?
John Schofield was her lover and later partner after her divorce from John Le Mesurier. He was a car dealer and approximately 20 years her junior.
What was Hattie Jacques’ first Carry On film?
Her first appearance in the series was in Carry On Sergeant (1958).
Was Hattie Jacques married to John Le Mesurier?
Yes, she was married to John Le Mesurier from 1949 until their divorce in 1965.
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Sophie Marlowe is Culture & Lifestyle Editor at BritainNow.uk, covering arts, culture, lifestyle and society.