Ann Way (14 November 1915 – 13 March 1993) was an English film and television character actress. Born in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, she began her career in repertory in Birmingham in the 1950s moving from there to the Dundee Rep.
Her petite build and deep-set eyes saw her frequently typecast as a stereotypically dotty or timid and mouse-like spinster. She nonetheless appeared in a wide range of roles, including the television series Dr Finlay's Casebook, Emmerdale Farm where she played an aunt of publican and newspaper correspondent Amos Brearly, Fawlty Towers (where she memorably played the Colonel's wife inadvertently served the raw red mullet in "Gourmet Night") and Rumpole of the Bailey as Dodo Mackintosh. She played the vicar's wife in Last of the Summer Wine. She also read the Mrs. Pepperpot books on the children's series Jackanory.
Film roles included Carry On Loving (1970), Endless Night (1972) and Clockwise (1986) (in which she sang the Vivian Ellis standard This is my Lovely Day on the soundtrack and made comic use of the repeated line "Aren't we all such lucky people") and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969) (where she played the headmistress's secretary, Miss Gaunt). A more unusual role was the 1987 short film Unusual Ground Floor Conversion in which she played an old lady gradually driving her downstairs neighbour mad by throwing water out of her window every few minutes.
Way died in London, England on 13 March 1993.
1993
as Alice
1992
as Housekeeper
1991
as Miss Jolly
1989
as Margot
1988
as George Brabazon
1988
as Lena Finn
1988
as Old Woman
1987
as Housekeeper
1986
as Rachel
1986
as Mrs Thomas
1985
as Old Lady with Dog
1984
1983
as Miss White
1982
as Gregoria Windy
1981
as Mrs Tucker
1980
as Miss Smith
1979
as Old Lady (Lotte)
1979
1978
as Mrs Clall
1978
1978
as Matilda Dunn
1977
1975
1975
as Mrs. Hall
1974
1972
as Mrs. Philpott
1970
1970
as Miss Wills
1969
1969
as Miss Gaunt