Neil Gaiman, Stephen Fry, John Barrowman, and Edgar Wright have all paid tribute via Twitter to Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith in Doctor Who. The former star of the cult BBC sci-fi show died yesterday at the age of 63.
“Big sadness. Rest in Peace,” wrote comics legend Gaiman, who has has penned an episode of the new season of Doctor Who. Comedian and author Fry was moved to say, “What terribly sad news about Elisabeth Sladen — her Sarah Jane was part of my childhood. Deepest sympathy to her family.” Doctor Who and Torchwood star John Barrowman described how he was “proud to have worked with such an icon of the sci fi world.” Shaun of the Dead director and Doctor Who fan Edgar Wright wrote, “I cannot believe Elisabeth Sladen is no longer with us. She was the definitive companion for all time and space. Rest in peace Sarah Jane.”
Finally, writer and producer Russell T. Davies—who created the recent Doctor Who spin-off show The Sarah Jane Adventures—has also praised the actress. “I knew there was a great, great woman and a great actor sitting there not working,” Davies told BBC News. “And so we reached out to her and she then turned out to be such good company, and so cheeky, and so much fun as well and, of course, absolutely unchanged by time. She was such a beautiful woman.”
Read more:
Elisabeth Sladen: An appreciation of the ‘Doctor Who’ actress
‘Doctor Who’ actress Elisabeth Sladen dies at age 63
Matt Smith previews the new season of ‘Doctor Who’: ‘We learn so much about the characters’
Best companion ever. Now the angels have a reason to weep.
How beautifully put, Ripley. How very, very sad.
Perfect tribute. ;_;
Elisabeth Sladen was a true gem — a delightful performer who took a role that could’ve been one-note and made it rich and true. I’ve always thought that her work as Sarah Jane made the showrunners more aware of what Companions could bring to the show, rather than just the Doctor, and that she’s more responsible for the ongoing life and creative vitality of DW than she’s generally given credit for.
RIP.
Steven Moffat recently commented that Dr. Who is really the story of the companions, because they act as our stand-ins to this wonderful world. Elisabeth Sladen played a huge role in that. God speed, Sarah Jane.
I completely agree with this. The stories are told through the campanions the same way that Sherlock Holmes’ stories were told through Watson. It wouldn’t be as interesting if the Doctor was flying solo.
She was “unchanged by time” because of MASSIVE plastic surgery to her face. If anyone compares her first return to Dr Who to her spinoff show, she had a LOT of work done. Regardless, it sucks that she had cancer and is gone much too soon. I read that they were working on a new season of Sarah Jane Adventures. I hope they air whatever they have. RIP.
I do not believe Lis Sladen ever had plastic surgery. It’s called growing old gracefully.
What a completely cruel and unnecessary jab at a truly wonderful woman. You should be ashamed of yourself, Zara.
Sarah Jane Smith was one of the joys of my childhood! I loved that character and love her still. I am so grateful to Elizabeth Sladen for her wonderful performance. Thank you!!
I think maybe it was meant she was “unchanged by time” because she always remained the same person.
Yes, Elisabeth’s face changed because she got thinner as time went on. It’s called “cancer treatment”.
I’m still in disbelief. The last few days have been dark ones.
I love Sarah Jane smith i was sad when she died stall Watching it love you Sarah Jane i will miss her alot
Interesting post and view, hope to hear more what the future holds THANKS Great post. Probably saved thousands of hours between everybody here. For me,this clearly is a heads up on which methods to focus on to maximise my online success . I¡¯ll start concentrating on your other articles instead. Really great advice. Thanks for sharing.
Great article. I can¡¯t wait to hear more about your research tool. If it is as good as your other products, then you will have another winner. Your article pretty much summed up what I have been seeing too. Great to see some hard data.