Ruth's incredible career

A recipient of the 1991 Senior Australian of the Year award, Ruth Cracknell's contributions in entertainment and community service have left a lifetime of impact.

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31 October 2024
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Many older Australians have fond memories of Ruth Cracknell for her role in the original 1980s television series, Mother and Son.

The comedy explored the relationship between a middle-aged, divorced man, Arthur Beare, played by Garry McDonald, and his mother, Maggie, who had begun showing signs of dementia.

The show, written by Geoffrey Atherden, was always funny, and often quite moving, as were the performances, both by Cracknell and McDonald and the supporting cast, including Henry Szeps, as Maggie’s favoured son, Robbie.

Cracknell first stepped into Maggie’s shoes in 1984, when she was just 59, but she was already a well-known and popular star on the stage, radio, and television.

On 29 June 1991, the spotlight shone on her as the recipient of the Senior Australian of the Year award, presented by Later Years, the organisation that would later be known as National Seniors Australia (NSA).

At the time, our Kaleidoscope magazine described her as “a person of incredible commitment and major success in her chosen fields of entertainment and community services”.

It continued that “at 66 years of age (Cracknell) is as vital and dedicated to life today as she has ever been”.

She generously donated her $1,000 award to the Christian Children’s Fund of Australia, now known as ChildFund.

Cracknell began her professional career in radio in 1945, quickly becoming a familiar voice in Australian households. Her stage career flourished with roles in Shakespearean productions such as King Lear, Measure for Measure, and The Tempest.

She spent two years in London working with the BBC and auditioned successfully for the Old Vic Theatre Company before returning to Australia due to family commitments.

Her television career included early appearances on Play School and Seven Little Australians, but she is best remembered for Mother and Son, which ran from 1984–1994 and inspired a modern remake that stars Denise Scott and Matt Okine.

Cracknell also had a distinguished film career, with roles in Smiley Gets a Gun (1958), The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith (1977), The Night the Prowler (1978), and Lilian’s Story (1996).

She was a prominent figure in Australian theatre, performing with major companies including the Sydney Theatre Company, where she served on the board and later became patron.

She also toured Australia with another stage and screen veteran, Gordon Chater, in an acclaimed production of The Importance of Being Earnest.

In addition to her acting, Cracknell was a celebrated author. Her autobiography, A Biased Memoir (1997), was a bestseller, followed by Journey From Venice (2000), a poignant reflection on grief and love after the death of her husband, Eric Phillips.

Cracknell was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, was the first woman inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame, and held honorary doctorates from the University of Sydney and the Queensland University of Technology. In 1998, she was named by the National Trust of Australia as one of 100 National Living Treasures.

She died of a respiratory illness in 2002, but her film and television performances are enduring, and her legacy continues to inspire.

You can enjoy episodes of the original Mother and Son here.