Lyn James


Lyn James, credited also as Marilyn James, was a Welsh-born actress of stage and screen and director, who became known for her career in England and later Australia, particularly as receptionist Helen Gordon in television soap opera ''The Young Doctors''

Biography

She was born Margaret James, the daughter of theatre actor and producer Jack James and granddaughter of photographer Levi Ladd. and grew up in Rhondda in South Wales. After graduating from RADA, James made her professional debut as an actress in 1949, appearing in numerous plays and TV serials in England for the BBC. After meeting her husband they emigrated to Australia in 1965, and, credited now as "Lyn James", appeared in numerous Crawford Productions series, before she became best known internationally for her role as doctors secretary Helen Gordon in the Australian television soap opera The Young Doctors. She appeared in the series from its inception in 1976, until it ended in 1983, one of only a few actors to appear for the duration of the series.

Filmography

TELEVISION
YearTitleRoleType
1955Fantastic SummerNan Wilde TV film, UK
1955Misery MeRomilda TV film, UK
1956Jinny MorganAggie Hughes Teleplay, UK
1956Poison PenRose Rainrider Teleplay, UK
1957The Druid CircleMegan Lewis Teleplay, UK
1957Precious BaneGuest role: Moll Miller TV series UK, 2 episodes
1957The Stolen MiniaturesNurse Dawson TV film, UK
1957To Love And To CherishPrudence Teleplay, UK
1957Nicholas NicklebyRecurring role: Madeline Bray TV series UK, 4 episodes
1963One About The Lugger...Guest role: Meg Barker TV series UK, 1 episode
196324-Hour CallGuest role: Mary Johnson TV series UK, 1 episode
1963First NightGuest role: Alice Potter TV series UK, 1 episode
1963Emergency-Ward 10Recurring role: Beryl Denbigh TV series UK, 5 episodes
1965Story ParadeGuest role: Alice Dawes TV series UK, 1 episode
1966Australian PlayhouseGuest roleABC TV series, 1 episode
1968ContrabanditsGuest role: Nan HallamTV series, 2 episodes
1969HunterGuest role: Helen KramerTV series, 1 episode
1969;1973Division 4Guest roles: Mrs. Thompson / Sue NicholsTV series, 2 episodes
1970Eden HouseHonorABC Teleplay
1970–1971DynastyRegular role: Maggie TenchABC TV series, 22 episodes
1972CatwalkGuest role: Julia BattleTV series, 1 episode
1972Matlock PoliceGuest role: Joan PriceTV series, 1 episode
1972Over ThereRecurring roleTV series, 3 episodes
1973BoneyGuest roleTV series, 1 episode
1973Catch KandyRecurring role: Mrs. WayneTV series, 3 episodes
1973RyanGuest role: Margaret NelsonTV series, 1 episode
1973The Evil TouchGuest role: MaidTV series, 1 episode
1975Silent NumberGuest roleTV series, 1 episode
1975Armchair CinemaGuest DorisTV series, 1 episode "Tully"
1976The EmigrantsGuest role: Mrs. LewisTV series UK, 1 episode
1976–1982The Young DoctorsRegular role: Helen GordonTV series, 313 episodes
1978Case for the DefenceGuest role: Minna McGeeTV series, 1 episode 2: "The Killing Of Toby McGee"
1979The Rock PoolRole unknownABC Teleplay
1980Telethon '80HerselfTV special
1983The Coral IslandGuest role: Lady RoverTV miniseries, 1 episode
1987OliveRecurring role: DoreenABC TV film
1991In Sydney TodayHerself – GuestTV series, 1 episode
1992BonyGuest role: Mrs. VincettiTV series, 1 episode 2: "Looks Can Kill"
1994TVTVHerself with The Young Doctors castABC TV series, 1 episode
199640 Years Of TV Stars... Then And NowHerselfTV special
1997Where Are They Now?HerselfTV series, 1 episode
2002Young LionsGuest role: Elderly WomanTV series, 1 episode

Personal life

James was married to the New Zealand producer Eric Tayler, a fellow RADA graduate, and they had two children, one of whom is the Australia actress Sally Tayler, who also appeared with her in The Young Doctors.
James final screen appearance was in 2002 and she died in Sydney, aged 87, on 31 May 2017.