Mona Hammond, a former “EastEnders”Star and West End trailblazer, she has passed away. She was 91.
There has not been an official cause of death.
Hammond was most well-known for his ability to play the piano. “EastEnders”Blossom was the matriarch of the long-running British soap opera. She also co-founded the Black British theatre company Talawa with Yvonne Brewster and Carmen Munroe in 1986.
According to the Guardian she was both of Jamaican and Chinese descent. To avoid being typecast, she changed her name to Mona Hammond from Mavischin. Hammond was born in Jamaica. She moved to Britain in 1959 and worked in an office while taking evening acting classes. She was soon awarded a scholarship to the RADA, a leading British acting school. She graduated in 1964 and was soon on the boards at theaters across the nation.
She was also seen in 70 roles onscreen, including in comedies. “The Crouches”And “Us Girls,”As well as being Aunty Susu on sitcoms “Desmond’s,”These soaps were produced from 1989 to 1994. “Coronation Street,” “Holby City”And “Doctors.”2005 saw her in the film “Kinky Boots”Together with Chiwetel Eljiofor Joel Edgerton and Sarah Jane Potts
In 2006, she was Rita-Anne. “Doctor Who,” alongside David Tennant and Billie Piper, and two years later had a role in Roland Emmerich’s feature “10,000 BC.”
In 2016, she starred in a short film called “The Last Time She Was on Screen” “Bucky” opposite Frances Barber.
News of Hammond’s death prompted an outpouring of tributes, including from RADA, who tweeted: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Mona Hammond, trailblazer, RADA Graduate and honorary fellow”While the “EastEnders”A Twitter account posted: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Mona Hammond has passed away. Mona created a no-nonsense grandmother in Blossom Jackson who was adored by the audience and everyone who worked with her. Our love and thoughts are with Mona’s family and friends.”
We are deeply sorry to hear about the passing of Mona Hammond. She was a trailblazer. #RADAGraduateAn honorary fellow pic.twitter.com/YcrdIuKhsX
— RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) (@RADA_London) July 5, 2022
Mona Hammond has died. Mona was the uncompromising grandmother Blossom Jackson loved. Our love and thoughts are with Mona’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/FP5FdtIs1o
— BBC EastEnders (@bbceastenders) July 5, 2022
Jo Martin, who played Hammond’s daughter Natalie in “The Crouches,” wrote: “Mona Hammond, honoured to be her screen daughter. RIP Queen.”
Mona Hammond was honored to be her screen daughter. 💔Queen🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/8C5NDmr0to
— jo martin (@therealjomartin) July 5, 2022
Talawa’s artistic director Michael Buffong said in a statement: “Throughout her extensive career, Mona has been a trailblazer in the arts and her incredible legacy will continue; she embodies Talawa – ‘small but mighty.’”
Hammond’s tribute was published on the website of the theatre company. “We are devastated to hear of the passing of Mona Hammond OBE,”This statement says. “Known and loved by many as Blossom in ‘Eastenders’ and Aunty SuSu in ‘Desmond’s,’ we knew Mona as the co-founder of Talawa Theatre Company – she was our National Treasure. As one of the founders of Talawa Theatre Company, Mona’s passion and vision have been fundamental to all we do to create Black theatre and make theatre more accessible for Black people in the U.K.”
Mona Hammond OBE passed away today. As one of the founders of Talawa, a trailblazer and champion of Black British theatre, Mona’s passion and vision will remain fundamental to all we do, and her legacy will forever burn bright. pic.twitter.com/JPYSHlqJnK
— Talawa Theatre Co (@TalawaTheatreCo) July 5, 2022
“Her prominent roles in theatre, TV and film, allow others to stand on her shoulders,”The statement goes on. “Mona Hammond inspired and continues to inspire so many who will always be indebted directly or indirectly by her great body of work. Mona was in the very first Talawa production in 1986, a dramatization of ‘The Black Jacobins’ by CLR James – the story of Toussaint Louverture, who led the Haitian revolution. At a time when it was believed that Black actors could not play British classics, Mona redefined classic roles such as Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ in 1989.”
“Mona’s repertoire also included Madam Love in the Jamaican classic ‘An Echo in the Bone’ by Dennis Scott in 1986, described by The Caribbean Times as ‘drama which touches the human soul’, the musical ‘O Babylon!’ in 1988, and her reimaging of the Fool in Talawa’s 1994 production of ‘King Lear.’”
“Talawa would not exist without Mona and her fellow co-founders Yvonne Brewster, Carmen Munroe, and Inigo Espejel; she was instrumental in pushing forward the Black Theatre movement in the U.K. Mona was an integral and beloved member of the Talawa family, and we will miss her greatly.”
Hammond is survived in death by a daughter and a granddaughter.
A tribute celebrating Hammond’s contribution to stage and screen will be held by Talawa Theater Company in September.