Elisabeth Sladen

Elisabeth Clara Heath-Sladen (1st February 1946 - 19th April 2011) was an English actress born in Liverpool. After several years of theatrical work, she was cast in the role of investigative journalist Sarah Jane Smith in the BBC science-fiction series Doctor Who, the role for which she would be best-known. Three years in the series eventually led to brief return appearances and ultimately the lead in The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007-2011), a spin-off brought to a close by Sladen's death.