Michele Dotrice Biography: Age, Parents, Husband, Children, Net Worth, Sister, Family

Biography

Michele Dotrice (born September 27, 1948, in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England) is a distinguished British actress renowned for her role as Betty Spencer in the beloved BBC sitcom Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em (1973–1978, 2016 special).

Born into a theatrical family, with parents Roy and Kay Dotrice and sisters Karen and Yvette also in the acting profession, she began her career at the age of 14 in the 1962 TV adaptation of The Old Curiosity Shop.

Dotrice gained prominence with roles in horror films such as The Witches (1966), And Soon the Darkness (1970), and The Blood on Satan’s Claw (1971). Her extensive career spans stage, film, and television, including appearances in Bramwell, Midsomer Murders, Holby City, and Unforgotten (2025).

She married actor Edward Woodward in 1987, with whom she had a daughter, Emily Beth, until his passing in 2009. Dotrice’s versatile performances and dedication have earned her accolades, including a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award.

British actress
Michele Dotrice
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Michele Dotrice
Born:	27 September 1948 (age 76 years old)
Place of Birth:	Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom
Nationality:	British
Education:	Corona Academy
Height:	1.55 m
Parents:	Roy Dotrice, Kay Dotrice
Siblings:	Karen Dotrice, Yvette Dotrice
Spouse:	Edward Woodward (m. 1987–2009)
Boyfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	Emily Beth Woodward
Occupation:	Actress • TV Personality
Net Worth:	$5 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Michele Dotrice was born on 27 September 1948 in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England, into a family deeply rooted in the performing arts. Her early years were shaped by her parents’ careers as actors, with the family environment instilling a passion for theatre and performance from a young age.

She began her acting career as a child, making her television debut at 14 in a 1962 adaptation of The Old Curiosity Shop, marking the start of her lifelong involvement in the industry.

She is of British heritage, with her father hailing from Guernsey in the Channel Islands and her mother from England. She is a Christian.

She is the daughter of renowned actors Roy Dotrice (1923–2017) and Kay Dotrice (née Newman, 1929–2007), who met and married while pursuing their acting careers, creating a theatrical household.

Michele has two younger sisters, both actresses: Karen Dotrice (born 9 November 1955), famous for her role as Jane Banks in Disney’s Mary Poppins, and Yvette Dotrice. The sisters grew up in a supportive family environment centred around the arts.

Michele trained at the Corona Academy, a performing arts school in London founded by Rona Knight, which specialized in preparing young actors for stage and screen careers, complementing her familial influences and launching her professional path.

Career

Michele Dotrice’s illustrious acting career has spanned more than six decades across television, film, and stage, earning her a reputation for versatility and critical acclaim.

She began acting at the age of 14 in the 1962 TV adaptation of The Old Curiosity Shop. Her early work included memorable performances in horror films such as The Witches (1966), And Soon the Darkness (1970), and The Blood on Satan’s Claw (1970), which showcased her talent for dramatic and emotionally intense roles.

Her true breakthrough came with the BBC’s beloved sitcom Some Mothers Do ’Ave ’Em (1973–1978), where she starred as Betty Spencer opposite Michael Crawford’s Frank Spencer. The role highlighted her impeccable comedic timing and warmth, cementing her place in British pop culture. She later reprised the role in a 2016 Sport Relief special, proving her lasting appeal across generations.

Beyond this, Dotrice built an impressive television portfolio with appearances in The Doctors (1970), Katy (1976), Bramwell (1997), Midsomer Murders (2000), Holby City (2015), Death in Paradise (2018), The Cockfields (2021), and Unforgotten (2025).

Her stage work has been equally celebrated. She starred in West End productions, including When We Are Married (2010), which earned her a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award nomination, as well as acclaimed performances in The Norman Conquests and The Importance of Being Earnest.

On the big screen, she appeared in Captain Jack (1999) and Blithe Spirit (2020), further showcasing her adaptability across genres.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Michele Dotrice
• IMDb: Michele Dotrice
• Facebook: Michele Dotrice
• Instagram: Michele Dotrice (@micheledotrice)
• Twitter: Michele Dotrice (@MicheleDotrice) / X

Personal Life

Michele Dotrice, born on September 27, 1948, is currently 76 years old.

She married actor Edward Woodward in 1987, remaining his wife until his death in 2009; this was her only marriage, though Woodward had been previously married and had three children from that union.

Together, Michele and Edward had one daughter, Emily Beth Woodward, born in 1983 before their wedding.

Michele stands at a height of 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 meters).

Her dating history appears limited in public records, primarily revolving around her long-term relationship with Edward Woodward, whom she first met in 1959 at age 11 (when he was 29), though their romantic involvement developed later, leading to their daughter’s birth and eventual marriage; no other significant relationships or partners are documented.

Net Worth

Michele Dotrice, born September 27, 1948, in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England, is a British actress with a net worth estimated at $5 million, accumulated through her six-decade career in television, film, and theater.

She began acting at 14 with the 1962 TV adaptation of The Old Curiosity Shop and gained prominence in horror films like The Witches (1966), And Soon the Darkness (1970), and The Blood on Satan’s Claw (1970).

Her iconic role as Betty Spencer in the BBC sitcom Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em (1973–1978, 2016 special) brought widespread recognition. Her television credits include Bramwell (1997), Midsomer Murders (2000), Holby City (2015), Death in Paradise (2018), The Cockfields (2021), and Unforgotten (2025). On stage, she earned a Laurence Olivier Theatre Award nomination for When We Are Married (2010).

Filmography

TV Shows

• The Old Curiosity Shop (1962) – TV adaptation, debut role
• Katy (1962) – TV series
• The Doctors (1970) – TV series
• Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em (1973–1978, 2016 Sport Relief special) – Played Betty Spencer
• Bramwell (1997) – TV series
• Midsomer Murders (2000) – TV series
• Marple: They Do It with Mirrors (2010) – TV movie
• Holby City (2015) – TV series
• Death in Paradise (2018) – TV series
• The Cockfields (2021) – TV series
• Unforgotten (2025) – TV series

Movies

• The Witches (1966) – Feature film
• And Soon the Darkness (1970) – Feature film
• The Blood on Satan’s Claw (1970) – Feature film
• Follow Me! (1972) – Feature film
• Captain Jack (1999) – Feature film
• Blithe Spirit (2020) – Feature film

Theater

• The Norman Conquests – Stage production
• The Importance of Being Earnest – Stage production
• When We Are Married (2010) – West End production, Laurence Olivier Theatre Award nomination
• Nell Gwynn – Stage production
• A Woman of No Importance – Stage production
• Three Sisters – Stage production
• The Deep Blue Sea – Stage production
• Noises Off – Stage production
• The Lady in the Van – Stage production
• The Chalk Garden – Stage production