Joyce Huggett

Kathleen Harrison, born in Blackburn in 1892, was an English actress who achieved recognition for her portrayal of Mrs. Huggett in a series of post-war British comedies. She also notably played Mrs. Dilber in the 1951 film adaptation of 'A Christmas Carol' and a charwoman who inherits a fortune in the television series 'Mrs Thursday'.

Harrison's career began after training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She had early stage appearances in the West End and a film debut in 1915, followed by numerous film roles throughout her career. While her cinema work became less frequent later on, she found success in television, particularly with her starring role in 'Mrs Thursday'. She passed away in 1995 at the age of 103.

Born Kathleen Harrison on February 23, 1892, in Blackburn, Lancashire, she was raised in London where her father served as the borough engineer for Southwark. Her education took place at Clapham High School, after which she pursued acting training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art from 1914 to 1915. Prior to her professional acting debut in the United Kingdom during the 1920s, Harrison spent several years living abroad in Argentina and Madeira.

Harrison made her professional stage debut in 1926 and appeared in London's West End the following year. Her extensive stage credits include productions like 'A Damsel in Distress', 'Night Must Fall' (also appearing in its 1937 film version), and 'The Winslow Boy'. Her film career commenced with a minor role in 1915, followed by significant parts in films such as 'Hobson's Choice' (1931), 'Gaslight' (1940), and 'In Which We Serve' (1942). She gained widespread recognition for her role as Mrs. Huggett in the popular 'The Huggetts' film series and later took on the role of the charwoman Mrs. Dilber in 'Scrooge' (1951). She also starred as a charwoman who inherits substantial wealth in the television series 'Mrs Thursday' (1966–67).

As her film appearances decreased, Harrison shifted her focus to television, achieving notable success. She expressed a fondness for the works of Charles Dickens, having appeared in BBC adaptations of 'Martin Chuzzlewit' (1964) and 'Our Mutual Friend' (1976). Harrison married John Henry Back in 1916, and they had three children. She humorously maintained she was younger than her actual age, eventually celebrating her 100th birthday in 1992. Kathleen Harrison died in 1995, at the age of 103, having been predeceased by her husband and one son.