'We had great fun on Dynasty. Tragic news': On-screen sister Joan Collins leads tributes to actress Kate O'Mara who died aged 74 after short illness
- Kate O'Mara died this morning aged 74 after a short illness
- Her agent confirmed she passed away in a Sussex nursing home
- He said this morning: 'She was extraordinary and had so much energy'
- Was best known for playing Cassandra Morrell in Dynasty in the 1980
- Fans and co-stars paid tribute to 'delightful, talented' actress today
Co-stars and fans of Kate O'Mara have paid tribute to the 'extraordinary' British actress who died today aged 74.
The British actress died this morning in a Sussex nursing home after a short illness, her agent confirmed.
She was best known for her role as Cassandra 'Caress' Morrell - the sister of Joan Collins' Alexis Colby - in the US soap. She also held roles in several major television series including Doctor Who, Howards' Way and Triangle.
Her agent Phil Belfield said today: 'She was extraordinary, she had so much energy and vitality with a love for theatre and acting.'
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Kate O'Mara, pictured in 2013, has died following a short illness, her agent confirmed today. She was 74
Kate O'Mara in Dynasty alongside Joan Collins, John Forsythe and Christopher Cazenove. The actress died in a Sussex nursing home this morning
Kate O'Mara and her Dynasty co-stars. Her agent said today: 'She was extraordinary. She had so much energy and vitality with a love for theatre'
He added: 'A shining star has gone out and Kate will be dearly missed by all who knew and have worked with her.'
Tributes to the actress were made on Twitter throughout the day.
Former Dr Who Tom Baker wrote: 'Oh my goodness. Kate O'Mara is no longer with us. Sad sad news. A delightful, committed and talented lady and actress. We are the poorer.'
Joan Collins added: 'Tragic news about Kate O Mara , we had great fun on Dynasty when she played my sister Caress who Alexis insisted on calling CASSIE ! RIP'
Kate's former co-star Bonnie Langford added: 'So sad to hear that the wonderful Kate O'Mara has gone. Treasured memories xxx'
Her on-screen sister Joan Collins said the actress's death was 'tragic news'
Dr Who star Colin Baker paid this heart-felt tribute today
The actress was best known for playing Alexis Colby's scheming sister Cassandra 'Caress' Morrell in the US soap in the mid 1980s
A young Kate O'Mara starring in The Saint in 1968 - shortly after she made her stage debut
The actress in ITV show Weavers Green. She was born in Leicester in 1939 to actress Hazel Bainbridge and flying instructor John F Carroll
Actress Sarah Douglas added: 'So sorry to learn that Kate O'Mara has died. What a lovely lady.'
Presenter and chat show host Graham Norton wrote: 'Kate O'Mara is no more. Only 74! I loved every encounter I had with her. Today doesn't seem so sunny.'
The official account for BAFTA tweeted: 'We're saddened to learn that Kate O'Mara, who starred in Dynasty, has passed away.'
Kate was born Frances M Carroll in Leicester on August 10, 1939. She was born to actress Hazel Bainbridge and flying instructor John F Carroll.
Kate, born Frances M Carroll, in The Saint. She made her debut in a production of The Merchant of Venice
Kate in Dr Who alongside Bonnie Langford and Sylvester McCoy in 1987
TRIBUTES TO KATE O'MARA
Former Dr Who Tom Baker wrote: 'Oh my goodness. Kate O'Mara is no longer with us. Sad sad news. A delightful, committed and talented lady and actress. We are the poorer'
Kate's former co-star Bonnie Langford: 'So sad to hear that the wonderful Kate O'Mara has gone. Treasured memories xxx'
Graham Norton wrote: 'Kate O'Mara is no more. Only 74! I loved every encounter I had with her. Today doesn't seem so sunny
Actor Jake Canuso: Very sad to hear that Kate O'Mara has died. We had the privilege to work with her in series 5 [of Benidorm]. She was so lovely and a delight to work with.
Joan Collins wrote: 'Tragic news about Kate O Mara , we had great fun on Dynasty when she played my sister Caress who Alexis insisted on calling CASSIE ! RIP'
She made her debut on stage in a production of The Merchant of Venice in 1963. She then went on to appear in The Saint and The Avengers - among many other shows.
In the 70s, she appeared in The Brothers - a BBC drama - alongside Tom Baker.
She appeared in Triangle in the early 80s and, in one particularly memorable scene she sunbathed topless on a North Sea ferry.
It was her recurring role of Caress Morrell in Dynasty from 1986 onwards that saw the actress achieve international recognition.
She also appeared in the original run of Doctor Who opposite both Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy as renegade Time Lord The Rani.
The Rani first appeared 1985 - and returned twice more in the cult television series.
In October 2013, the 50th anniversary of the show, Kate spoke to Digital Spy about returning to Doctor Who.
She said: 'I'll still be wearing the tight leather trousers and high-heel boots, regardless of what age!
'I have white hair now, but a lot of it, and I'm still very glamorous, so I won't disappoint!'
Kate poses for a publicity shot along with the other cast members of Howards' Way in 1989
The actress in British soap Crossroads in 2002. She was also appeared in Absolutely Fabulous
She also told the Huffington Post: 'I'd love to come back as The Rani another time around.
'To have a much older woman as your adversary, there's something interesting about that.'
'I'll still be wearing the tight leather trousers and high-heel boots, regardless of what age.'
Kate O'Mara to Digital Spy
Kate O'Mara to Digital Spy
In the late 80s, Kate starred as a ruthless businesswoman in BBC drama Howards' Way, which was dubbed the 'Dallas of the Seas'.
In the 1990s she starred in the comedy show Absolutely Fabulous as Jackie, the sister of Joanna Lumley's character Patsy.
More recently she had appeared in ITV soap Benidorm and a 2012 stage adaptation of Agatha Christie's Death On The Nile.
Kate had been married and divorced three times and had one son.
Kate and son Dickson, who was a set designer for the Merriran Theatre. He was found dead in January 2013
Tragically in January 2013, Dickon O'Mara was found dead in a garage at his mother's home.
It is thought he had been dead for up to three weeks when his body was discovered.
An inquest in to his death heard how he had spiralled into a life of drink and drug abuse after suffering brain damage when he was run over three years earlier.
The theatre technician had been hit by a car in January 2010 and suffered brain injuries which affected his balance and left him unable to work.
Joan Collins, Shirley Bassey and Kate O'Mara meet the Queen in May 2012
Kate on This Morning in 2012. The actress never retired, and appeared in Benidorm the same year
The inquest heard he appeared to have been sleeping in the garage of his mother’s home after she asked him to leave her cottage two months earlier because she could no longer cope with his behaviour.
By then, the actress had been hospitalised with pneumonia. She was still too ill to attend the inquest.
Kate is survived by her sister, the actress Belinda Carroll.
Mr Belfield said there would be a private funeral and a memorial service on a date to be confirmed.
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