June Brown

June Brown, who played Dot Cotton for 30 years on 'Eastenders', has died.

In May 2015, Brown revealed that her eyesight was failing due to macular degeneration, which was later written into a storyline. On 2008 she became the first U. K. soap character to carry an entire episode single-handed, an achievement for which she was nominated for a BAFTA TV award. She was also appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honors list and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Year’s Honors, both for services to drama and to charity.

Tributes have flooded in for EastEnders star June Brown, who has died aged 95, with Stephen Fry praising her “wonderful human qualities”.

“We send all our love and deepest sympathies to June’s family and friends. June Brown (left) with Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Elstree Studios where EastEnders is filmed June Brown (left) with Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Elstree Studios where EastEnders is filmed

June Brown, who played the chain-smoking Cockney matriarch Dot Cotton on the British soap opera “EastEnders” for 35 years, has died.

June Brown, who played chain-smoking Cockney matriarch Dot Cotton on the British soap opera “EastEnders” for 35 years, has died. June Brown, who played chain-smoking Cockney matriarch Dot Cotton on the British soap opera “EastEnders” for 35 years, has died. “EastEnders” became a British institution — Queen Elizabeth II even visited the set in 2001 — and Brown was one of its longest-serving stars. “EastEnders” premiered in 1985 and Dot Cotton soon became one of its most beloved characters -- a devout Christian and incorrigible gossip who worked in the local laundromat. Intended as a southern rival to the northern England-set soap opera “Coronation Street,” the show launched in 1985 and soon became a ratings hit. “EastEnders” premiered in 1985 and Dot Cotton soon became one of its most beloved characters -- a devout Christian and incorrigible gossip who worked in the local laundromat.

Veteran stage and screen actor best known for playing Dot Cotton in the BBC's long-running soap EastEnders.

When she appeared in Calendar Girls in the West End in 2009, aged 82, she claimed she was the only one of the replacement cast who stripped completely naked for the photo call. Sipping from a large glass of red wine, she had the audience, and her fellow couch squatters, who included Jude Law, eating out of her hand for half an hour. She married the actor Robert Arnold in 1958. Small roles on TV followed in the 1960s in both Dixon of Dock Green and Z Cars, though by now she was up to her elbows in children. “And here’s a funny thing,” she said, quoting Max Miller, “when I was in hospital, having given birth to my first child, I did my ballet exercises every day at the end of my bed. Apart from anything else, she produced six children in seven and a half years with her second husband, all of them in her fourth decade.

Brown, who played the beloved Albert Square scandal-monger Dot Cotton, was the most technically gifted EastEnders star – and the only actor in UK soap ...

For the last eight years of Brown’s time on EastEnders, from 2012, her character’s name was doing double duty in BBC primetime. As a Christian with a concept of sin that conveniently excluded scandal-mongering, drinking and smoking, Dot was recognisably a latter-day sister of Corrie’s Sharples. Brown was recommended for the part by Leslie Grantham, already cast as “Dirty” Den Watts, who had seen Brown convincingly play working-class roles on stage and screen. Her character, unlike some in later decades of EastEnders, was an authentic East End type – a feature of criminal trials at the time was the loyal mum who, clutching her Holy Bible as her son was sent down, refused to accept his guilt. Although born in 1927, before British television existed, Brown belonged to the second generation of great British soap opera women. Brown’s contribution to the show – and status as one of its most accomplished performers – had already been internally recognised in Episode 3518, screened on 31 January 2008. The episode, for which Brown won a Bafta TV nomination (only the second soap performer to do so, after Jean Alexander, for her Hilda Ogden), established her at the heart of the show, where she remained, Brown’s workload reducing only due to deteriorating eyesight, until she retired at around the time of the soap’s 30th anniversary.

Veteran UK actress June Brown, best known for EastEnders, has died at the age of 95. Her family said they were “deeply saddened” to announce that their ...

There are not enough words to describe how much June was loved and adored by everyone at EastEnders, her loving warmth, wit and great humour will never be forgotten… The BBC’s director-general Tim Davie said: “June Brown was a brilliantly talented actor who was loved by millions. He changed his mind at the last minute.

LONDON (AP) — June Brown, who played the chain-smoking Cockney matriarch Dot Cotton on the British soap opera “EastEnders” for 35 years, has died.

“EastEnders” became a British institution — Queen Elizabeth II even visited the set in 2001 — and Brown was one of its longest-serving stars. Intended as a southern rival to the northern England-set soap opera “Coronation Street,” the show launched in 1985 and soon became a ratings hit. One memorable plot strand saw Cotton struggle with her faith after a terminally ill friend asked for help to end her life.

Actress June Brown, who was widely known for her role as character Dot Cotton in the British soap opera EastEnders, died Sunday at 95.

"I had the pleasure of working with June when I was the story producer and when you have the talent such as June Brown to work with, you always knew it was going to be magic," Clenshaw continued. "When you join EastEnders, there are some characters both on and off screen that are just iconic and June Brown, OBE, MBE is at the top of that list, EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said in a statement to PEOPLE. "Her creation and portrayal of Dot Cotton made a huge impact in British television, she created iconic moments that not only entertained the nation but at times changed it a little for the better." "I speak for us all at EastEnders when I say that today is a very sad day as June Brown was a truly special and unforgettable woman. EastEnders Star June Brown Dead at 95: 'Loved and Adored By Everyone' British actress June Brown died "very peacefully" Sunday at her home, her family told PEOPLE in a statement Actress June Brown, who was widely known for her role as character Dot Cotton in the British soap opera EastEnders, died on Sunday. She was 95. "June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television, and having appeared in 2,884 episodes, June's remarkable performances created some of EastEnders finest moments," an Eastenders spokesperson told PEOPLE. "We send all our love and deepest sympathies to June's family and friends." "We are deeply saddened to announce our beloved mother, June, passed away very peacefully at her home in Surrey on Sunday evening, with her family by her side," the statement read.

Actress June Brown, who has died aged 95 at her home in Surrey on Sunday, refused to say how many cigarettes she smoked each day. She wasn't counting, ...

The late EastEnders star June Brown was best known for her role as the legendary Dot Cotton - but it wasn't the actresses first experience on a British soap ...

She was previously made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2008 for services to drama and charity. June announced the bombshell news of her exit from EastEnders in 2020 with little fanfare, revealing her decision on a podcast with a former co-star. But before her time in Albert Square, June had a stint on the cobbles. It was shared by the ITV soap as the veteran star celebrated her 90th birthday. Brown landed the role of Dot Cotton back in 1985 and her biggest storylines explored controversial issues such as euthanasia, cancer and homophobia, until her departure from Eastenders in 2020. The soap icon's family confirmed she died surrounded by her family at home in Surrey on Sunday (April 3).

Actress June Brown who played the iconic Dot Cotton in the popular BBC soap EastEnders, has passed away aged 95.

Her character was iconic as a chain-smoking Catholic mother figure who loved to gossip. When I was a kid I wrote to June Brown saying I wanted to be an actor. In 2008, Brown went down in history as the first television soap character to appear in a monologue episode, with the unique segment viewed over 8.8 million times. Source: GettyActress June Brown who played the iconic Dot Cotton in the popular BBC soap EastEnders, has passed away aged 95. What a legend ???? #RIPJuneBrown #EastEnders pic.twitter.com/mm8MuumwUq In 2008, Brown went down in history as the first television soap character to appear in a monologue episode, with the unique segment viewed over 8.8 million times.

Brown discovered unexpected matrilineal Jewish lineage in 2011 while taking part in the popular TV show 'Who Do You Think You Are?'

“EastEnders” became a British institution — Queen Elizabeth II even visited the set in 2001 — and Brown was one of its longest-serving stars. “EastEnders” was intended as a southern rival to the northern England-set soap opera “Coronation Street” when the show launched in 1985 and soon became a ratings hit. One memorable plot strand saw Cotton struggle with her faith after a terminally ill friend asked for help to end her life.

Beloved British acting legend June Brown, who played Dot Cotton on the long-running BBC soap opera EastEnders, has passed away at age 95.

We would kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this very difficult time" A very bright light has gone out at EastEnders today but we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June's memory. Her failing eyesight was written into the in her last years before Dot left Albert Square to live with her grandson and great-grandson in Ireland. In real life, Brown was quite grand in personality, very different from the jitteriness of Dot. She had been awarded an OBE and MBE by the Queen.

The soap star passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, aged 95, after becoming a household name as chain-smoking Dot Cotton on the long-running soap, ...

The chain smoking, devout, gossiping Dot Cotton wasn't just familiar to EastEnders fans. Brown's character defined British television.

“But when I look back, I know that from that moment on, everything that I ever cared about I’ve lost.” She was, rightfully, nominated for a Bafta for Best Actress for her performance in the episode, making her the second actress nominated for work in a soap opera. “I know it is silly, remembering such a little thing,” Dot said, recalling the death of her uncle and the song he used to sing to her as a child as he tucked her in each night. An old school professional, she excelled in some of the soap’s most serious storylines. Or the time that she got into a fight with her Sat-Nav and drove the wrong way down a busy street. Who could forget the time she accidentally walked into a living room to see Jane Beale giving Ian Beale a pole dance? She had long since ascended to the wider British cultural consciousness.

June Brown, who played chain-smoking Dot Cotton on the BBC soap for more than 30 years, died at her home on Sunday aged 95.

“Often in a soap, you know the character but you never know the actress. She had classical training, she had worked her way up and she expected you to do your job. “She was a dear friend, someone I could confide in, and probably my second mother, really. “She knew everything. Turner added: “She wasn’t like Dot so much at all. It was amazing.”

Paul revealed EastEnders legend June Brown once called him and revealed she had just rescued two donkeys for him.

‘Here we are Donkeys years ago at The Kings Head in Islington watching Sally Lindsay in a play. ‘A great actress and a lovely human being. A very bright light has gone out at EastEnders today but we shall all be raising a sweet sherry in June’s memory.

Household favourite Brown, who died on Sunday aged 95, starred in the soap for more than three decades.

“Often in a soap, you know the character but you never know the actress. She had classical training, she had worked her way up and she expected you to do your job. “She was a dear friend, someone I could confide in, and probably my second mother, really. Both watching Dot and listening to June, I was absolutely mesmerised.” “She knew everything. Turner added: “She wasn’t like Dot so much at all.