This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-30571601

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Actress Billie Whitelaw dies aged 82 Billie Whitelaw, star of stage and screen, dies aged 82
(about 11 hours later)
Acclaimed actress Billie Whitelaw, famous for her roles on stage and screen, has died at the age of 82.Acclaimed actress Billie Whitelaw, famous for her roles on stage and screen, has died at the age of 82.
The Coventry-born star, who was made a CBE in 1991, worked in close collaboration with playwright Samuel Beckett, who described her as a perfect actress.The Coventry-born star, who was made a CBE in 1991, worked in close collaboration with playwright Samuel Beckett, who described her as a perfect actress.
She died in the early hours of Sunday at a nursing home in London, her son Matthew Muller told the BBC.She died in the early hours of Sunday at a nursing home in London, her son Matthew Muller told the BBC.
"I could not have asked for a more loving mum," he said."I could not have asked for a more loving mum," he said.
"She had an incredible career - but first and foremost she was my mum - and that's who I will miss," he added."She had an incredible career - but first and foremost she was my mum - and that's who I will miss," he added.
Whitelaw made her radio acting debut aged just 11. News of her death prompted a string of tributes on Twitter, among them messages from Gary and Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet fame.
In 1950, she made her first stage appearance in Bradford in a performance of Pink String and Sealing Wax, before moving into films and television. Whitelaw appeared with them in 1990 film The Krays, playing Violet Kray, mother of the criminal Kray twins, to Gary's Ronnie and Martin's Reggie.
She was well known for her role as Mrs Baylock in horror film The Omen. "Deeply saddened that Billie Whitelaw has died," tweeted Gary Kemp. "I'll always remember her as a generous and towering actor, and 'Mum'."
Whitelaw also played a starring role as Violet Kray in The Krays and more recently appeared in comedy Hot Fuzz. His sentiments were echoed by his brother Martin, who tweeted: ""Desperately sad to hear the news... an honour to get to know you on The Krays."
During her career, she won a British Academy Award for best newcomer for her role in Hell is a City. She also won Best Supporting Actress for her parts in Twisted Nerve and Charlie Bubbles. Born in 1932, Whitelaw made her radio acting debut aged just 11 and made her first stage appearance in Bradford in 1950.
Whitelaw appeared in a number of TV series, including BBC One's Dixon of Dock Green. She was well known for her role as Mrs Baylock in horror film The Omen and more recently appeared in the comedy Hot Fuzz.
But in her autobiography Billie Whitelaw . . . Who He?, she said it was her work with Beckett that generated most interest. That film's director Edgar Wright tweeted that he was "very sad to hear that the magnificent Billie Whitelaw passed away" while adding he was "so very happy" to have worked with her.
Beckett 'cared' Whitelaw won two Baftas, in 1969 and 1973, and appeared in a number of TV series, including BBC One's Dixon of Dock Green.
In her autobiography Billie Whitelaw... Who He?, however, she acknowledged it was her work with Beckett that generated the most interest.
Without their association, she wrote, "nobody would have been remotely interested in my autobiography."Without their association, she wrote, "nobody would have been remotely interested in my autobiography."
She described Beckett as demanding and meticulous, but added: "Because I knew he was radiating love and he cared and he wanted you to be perfect... it didn't upset me." Whitelaw was married to actor Peter Vaughan between 1952 and 1966. She later married German actor and writer Robert Muller, who died in 1998.
In a 1997 interview with The Independent, the actress said death did not scare her. Last week the University of Reading announced it had purchased Whitelaw's Samuel Beckett archive - a collection including correspondence, annotated playscripts and costumes - for £35,000.
She told the newspaper: "Death's not one of those things that frighten the life out of me." Scottish actor Douglas Henshall, US actress Mia Farrow and singer Toyah Wilcox are among others to have paid tribute to Whitelaw on Twitter.
She added: "Getting up on stage with the curtain going up frightens me more." "Thank you Billie for being a role model and an inspiration," tweeted Wilcox, while Henshall - who appeared with the actress in 1990s drama Firm Friends - remembered her as "lovely".
She was married to actor Peter Vaughan between 1952 and 1966. Mia Farrow, who played Whitelaw's Mrs Baylock role in the 2006 remake of The Omen, said she had been "magnificent" and "never less than great".
Later, she married German actor and writer Robert Muller, who died in 1998. "Sad to see Billie Whitelaw has died," tweeted comedian Robin Ince. "I'd suggest a minute's silence, but I imagine Beckett would suggest it should be much longer than that."
Many tributes have been posted on Twitter.
Hot Fuzz director Edgar Wright tweeted: "Very sad to hear that the magnificent Billie Whitelaw passed away, but so very happy I worked with her. 'Hot Fuzz' was her final film."
Actor Martin Kemp tweeted: "Desperately sad to hear the news my dear Billie Whitelaw an honour to get to know you on The Krays #RIPBillieWhitelaw."
Comedian Robin Ince tweeted: "Sad to see Billie Whitelaw has died, I'd suggest a minute's silence, but I imagine Beckett would suggest it should be much longer than that."