Best remembered as ‘Mrs. Slocombe’ on the British comedy “Are You Being Served?” Mollie Sugden was born in Keighley, West Yorkshire. She attended Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Her first television role came in 1962 with the series “Hugh and I,” which ran for four seasons. In 1972, she won the role of the head of the ladies department at Grace Brothers Department Store, ‘Mrs. Betty Slocombe,’ on “Are You Being Served.” Her character was known for her change in hair color, as well as her affection for her cat. The series ran between 1972 and 1985. She reprised the role in the 1990s for the short live revival, “Grace & Favour.” After the initial run of “Are You Being Served” ended in 1985 she continued to work on television including the series “My Husband and I,” in which she starred with real-life husband, William Moore. In 2002, she was honored on her 80th birthday with the special “Celebrating Mollie Sugden: An Are You Being Served?” Mollie Sugden died after a long illness at age 86, just months after her “Are You Being Served? co-star Wendy Richard.
