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{{short description|Hungarian-born actress}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| image = Guido de Moor, Catherine von Schell en Piet Römer (1967).jpg
| image = Catherine Schell (1967).jpg
| name = Catherine Schell
| name = Catherine Schell
| caption = Guido de Moor, Catherine Schell, and [[Piet Römer]] in 1967
| caption = Schell in 1967
| birth_name = Katherina ''[[Freiherr|Freiin]]'' Schell von Bauschlott
| birth_name = Katherina ''[[Freiherr|Freiin]]'' Schell von Bauschlott
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1944|7|17|df=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1944|7|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Budapest]], [[Hungary]]
| birth_place = [[Budapest]], [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungary]]
| other_names = Catherine von Schell<br>Katherina von Schell<br>Katherine von Schell
| other_names = Catherine von Schell<br>Katherina von Schell<br>Katherine von Schell
| nationality = [[British people|British]]
| nationality = British
| citizenship = British
| alma_mater = [[Otto Falckenberg School of the Performing Arts]]
| alma_mater = [[Otto Falckenberg School of the Performing Arts]]
| known_for = ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)|On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]''<br>''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]''<br>''[[Doctor Who]]''
| occupation = Television and film actress
| occupation = Television and film actress
| years_active = 1964–2004; 2020
| years_active = 1964–2004; 2020-Present
| television = ''[[Space: 1999]]''
| television = ''[[Space: 1999]]''
| parents = Baron Paul Schell von Bauschlott<br>Countess Katharina Maria Etelka Georgina Elisabeth Teleki de Szék
| parents = Baron Paul Schell von Bauschlott<br>Countess Katharina Maria Etelka Georgina Elisabeth Teleki de Szék
| relatives =
| relatives =
| spouse = {{Marriage|[[William Marlowe]]|1968|1977|reason=divorced}}<br>{{Marriage|[[Bill Hays (director)|Bill Hays]]|1982|2006|reason=died}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
* {{Marriage|[[William Marlowe]]|1968|1977|reason=divorced}}
* {{Marriage|[[Bill Hays (director)|Bill Hays]]|1982|2006|reason=died}}
}}
| website =
| website =
}}
}}


'''Catherine Schell''' (born '''Katherina ''[[Freiherr|Freiin]]'' Schell von Bauschlott''', 17 July 1944 in Budapest) is a [[Hungarians|Hungarian]]-born actress who came to prominence in British film and television productions from the 1960s. A former [[Bond girl]], she worked with [[Peter Sellers]] on two films, appeared in a ''[[Doctor Who]]'' serial (''[[City of Death]]'', 1979) and had a regular role in season two of ''[[Space: 1999]]'' (1976).
'''Catherine Schell''' (born '''Katherina ''[[Freiherr|Freiin]]'' Schell von Bauschlott''', 17 July 1944) is a Hungarian-born British actress who came to prominence in British film and television productions from the 1960s. Her notable roles include the [[Bond girl]] Nancy in ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)|On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]'' (1969), Lady Claudine Litton in ''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]'' (1975), Countess Scarlioni in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' serial ''[[City of Death]]'' (1979), and a regular role as Maya in Year Two of the television series ''[[Space: 1999]]'' (1976-1977).


==Early life==
==Early life==
Schell's father, Baron Paul Schell von Bauschlott, was a [[Hungarians|Hungarian]] diplomat of three-quarter<ref>https://www.geni.com/family-tree/canvas/6000000019623249063</ref> Magyar ancestry; her mother was Countess Katharina Maria Etelka Georgina Elisabeth [[Teleki]] de Szék. At the start of the [[Second World War]], her parents' estates were confiscated by the [[Nazis]].<ref>https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/catherine-schell-interview</ref> "Schell" is the [[family name]], while "von Bauschlott" indicates the place in Germany where the Schell family owned its main estate.
Schell's father, Baron Pál Schell von Bauschlott ([[Nagyida]], 5 September 1898 - [[Munich]], 20 October 1979), was a Hungarian diplomat of three-quarter<ref name="geni-family-tree-father">{{cite web |title=Peter Schell von Bauschlott's Family Tree |url=https://www.geni.com/family-tree/canvas/6000000019623249063 |website=geni.com |access-date=17 January 2021}}</ref> Hungarian ancestry; her mother (m. Budapest, 28 January 1940) was [[Count|Countess]] Katalin Mária Etelka Georgina Erzsébet [[Teleki]] de Szék ([[Budapest]], 11 November 1917 - ?).<ref>https://genealogy.euweb.cz/hung/teleki2.html</ref> "Schell" is the family name, while "von Bauschlott" indicates the place in Germany where the Schell family owned its main estate.


Fleeing [[Hungary]] in advance of the Soviets and [[communism]], the family lived in poverty until 1948, finding [[Right of asylum|asylum]] in [[Austria]]: first in [[Vienna]], then in [[Salzburg]]. In 1950, the family emigrated to the [[United States]],<ref>https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/catherine-schell-interview</ref> where Schell's father acquired [[United States nationality law|American citizenship]].
Fleeing [[Kingdom of Hungary|Hungary]] in advance of the Soviets and communism, the family lived in poverty until 1948, finding [[Right of asylum|asylum]] in [[Allied-occupied Austria|Austria]]: first in [[Vienna]], then in [[Salzburg]]. In 1950, the family emigrated to the United States,<ref name="starburst-interview" /> where Schell's father acquired [[United States nationality law|American citizenship]].


Schell entered a [[convent school]] in the [[New York City]] borough of [[Staten Island]]. In 1957, her father joined [[Radio Free Europe]] and the family moved to [[Munich]] where Schell developed an interest in acting and attended the [[Otto Falckenberg School of the Performing Arts]].<ref>"The Making of Space:1999" by Tim Heald, Ballantine Books, 1976, {{ISBN|978-0345252654}} (p. 60)</ref>
Schell entered a [[convent school]] in the New York City borough of [[Staten Island]]. In 1957, her father joined [[Radio Free Europe]] and the family moved to Munich where Schell developed an interest in acting and attended the [[Otto Falckenberg School of the Performing Arts]].<ref name="heald-1999-making">{{cite book |last1=Heald |first1=Tim |title=The Making of Space: 1999 |date=1976 |publisher=Ballantine Books |location=New York |isbn=978-0345252654 |page=60 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vL4VAQAACAAJ}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
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===Film===
===Film===


She acted under the name "Catherine von Schell" or "Katherina von Schell" early in her career. Under the latter name, she made her film debut as the title character in the little-known German-language film {{Interlanguage link multi|Lana: Queen of the Amazons|de|3=Lana – Königin der Amazonen|lt=''Lana: Queen of the Amazons ''|vertical-align=sup}} ([[German language|German]]: ''Lana – Königin der Amazonen'', 1964). She appeared as [[Bond girl]] Nancy in the ''[[James Bond in film|James Bond]]'' film ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)|On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]'' (1969), with [[George Lazenby]] in the lead.<ref>https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/catherine-schell-interview</ref> Around the same time, she appeared in [[Hammer Film Productions|Hammer Films]] science-fiction thriller ''[[Moon Zero Two]]'' (also 1969) cast in the role of Clementine Taplin. She appeared with [[Bette Davis]], now credited as Catherine Schell, in ''[[Madame Sin]]'' (1972), a [[television film]] made by [[ITC Entertainment|ITC]] which was released theatrically in some markets.
She acted under the alternate name "Catherina von Schell" early in her career. Under this name she made her film debut as the title character in the little-known German-language film ''[[Lana, Queen of the Amazons]]'' (1964). She appeared as [[Bond girl]] Nancy in the ''[[James Bond in film|James Bond]]'' film ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)|On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]'' (1969), with [[George Lazenby]] in the lead.<ref name="starburst-interview" /> Around the same time, she appeared in [[Hammer Film Productions|Hammer Films]] science-fiction thriller ''[[Moon Zero Two]]'' (also 1969) cast in the role of Clementine Taplin. She appeared with [[Bette Davis]], now credited as Catherine Schell, in ''[[Madame Sin]]'' (1972), a [[television film]] made by [[ITC Entertainment|ITC]] which was released theatrically in some markets.


Schell appeared opposite [[Peter Sellers]] in the comedy ''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]'' (1975) as Lady Claudine Lytton. It is regularly claimed that her apparent tendency for uncontrollable laughter, or [[corpsing]], at Sellers' antics as [[Inspector Clouseau]] is an example of [[breaking character]]. Reputedly, the film shows Schell attempting to stifle laughter at Sellers's performance in a handful of scenes. Schell has maintained in interviews that she considered it in character for Lady Lytton to be amused by Clouseau, whom she does not see as a serious threat. Schell appeared with Sellers again in ''[[The Prisoner of Zenda (1979 film)|The Prisoner of Zenda]]'' (1979), one of his last films.
Schell appeared opposite [[Peter Sellers]] in the comedy ''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]'' (1975) as Lady Claudine Lytton. Schell appeared with Sellers again in ''[[The Prisoner of Zenda (1979 film)|The Prisoner of Zenda]]'' (1979), one of his last films.


===Television===
===Television===
Schell's first TV credit was ''[[Till Eulenspiegel]]'' (1967), a [[West German]] comedy in which she played Nele and was billed as Katherina von Schell.
Schell's first TV credit was ''[[Till Eulenspiegel]]'' (1967), a [[West German]] comedy in which she played Nele and was billed as Katherina von Schell.


Schell spent much of her career in British television, appearing in more than 47 series spanning a period of nearly 30 years. She played regular roles in series such as ''[[The Adventurer (series)|The Adventurer]]'', ''[[Looking For Clancy]]'', ''[[One by One (TV series)|One by One]]'', ''[[Mog (TV series)|Mog]]'' and ''[[Wish Me Luck]]'', in addition to many guest appearances, including ''[[The Persuaders!]]'', ''[[The Troubleshooters]]'', ''[[Arthur of the Britons]]'', ''[[Return of the Saint]]'', ''[[The Sweeney]]'', ''[[The Onedin Line]]'', ''[[The Gentle Touch]]'', ''[[Lovejoy]]'', ''[[Bergerac (TV series)|Bergerac]]'', ''[[The Bill]]'', ''[[Howards' Way]]'' and ''The Search for the Nile''.
Schell spent much of her career in British television, appearing in more than 47 series spanning a period of nearly 30 years. She played regular roles in series such as ''[[The Adventurer (series)|The Adventurer]]'', ''[[Looking For Clancy]]'', ''[[One by One (TV series)|One by One]]'', ''[[Mog (TV series)|Mog]]'' and ''[[Wish Me Luck]]'', in addition to many guest appearances, including ''[[The Persuaders!]]'' (starring alongside future James Bond actor [[Roger Moore]]), ''[[The Troubleshooters (British TV series)|The Troubleshooters]]'', ''[[Arthur of the Britons]]'', ''[[Return of the Saint]]'', ''[[The Sweeney]]'', ''[[The Onedin Line]]'', ''[[The Gentle Touch]]'', ''[[Lovejoy]]'', ''[[Bergerac (TV series)|Bergerac]]'', ''[[The Bill]]'', ''[[Howards' Way]]'' and ''[[The Search for the Nile]]''.


Schell appeared in the science-fiction series ''[[Space: 1999]]'' as a robotic servant ("[[Guardian of Piri]]", 1975), and returned to the series in its second season as the regular character [[Maya (Space: 1999)|Maya]], a shape-shifting "[[metamorph]]" from the planet Psychon. Schell appeared in another British science-fiction series, as Countess Scarlioni in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' serial ''[[City of Death]]'' (1979).<ref>https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/catherine-schell-interview</ref>
Schell appeared in the science-fiction series ''[[Space: 1999]]'' as a robotic servant ("[[Guardian of Piri]]", 1975), and returned to the series in its second season as the regular character [[Maya (Space: 1999)|Maya]], a shape-shifting "[[metamorph]]" from the planet Psychon. Schell appeared in another British science-fiction series, as Countess Scarlioni in the ''[[Doctor Who]]'' serial ''[[City of Death]]'' (1979).<ref name="starburst-interview" />


==Personal life==
==Personal life==


===Family===
===Family===
Schell's brother, Paul Rudolf (born 1940), now known as Paul von Schell, has acted in a number of German-language productions. A younger brother, Peter (1941–68), died young. Through a German great-grandfather, Schell is related to [[Louis XIV of France]] (1638–1715), [[Philip II, Duke of Orléans]] (1674–1723), Regent of France and [[Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis I]], [[Holy Roman Emperor]] (1708–65).<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1128032/bio Biography for Paul von Schell] at imdb.com</ref> She is not believed to be related to the [[Austrians|Austrian]]-[[Swiss people|Swiss]] actors [[Maximilian Schell|Maximilian]] and [[Maria Schell]].
Schell's brother, Paul Rudolf (born 1940), now known as Paul von Schell, has acted in German-language productions. A younger brother, Peter (1941–68), died young. Through a German great-grandfather, Schell is related to [[Louis XIV of France]] (1638–1715), [[Philip II, Duke of Orléans]] (1674–1723), Regent of France and [[Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor|Francis I]], [[Holy Roman Emperor]] (1708–65).{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} She is not believed to be related to the [[Austrians|Austrian]]-[[Swiss people|Swiss]] actors [[Maximilian Schell|Maximilian]] and [[Maria Schell]].{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}


===Marriages===
===Marriages===
While filming ''[[Amsterdam Affair]]'' in 1968, Schell met and married her first husband, British actor [[William Marlowe]] (1930–2003), and moved to [[London]]. The marriage ended in divorce in 1977. Schell married director [[Bill Hays (director)|Bill Hays]] (1938–2006) in 1982. In 1984, they worked together for the first time as husband and wife on a TV production of [[Ivan Turgenev]]'s play ''[[A Month in the Country (play)|A Month in the Country]]''.
While filming ''[[Amsterdam Affair]]'' in 1968, Schell met and married her first husband, British actor [[William Marlowe]] (1930–2003), and moved to London. The marriage ended in divorce in 1977. Schell married director [[Bill Hays (director)|Bill Hays]] (1938–2006) in 1982. In 1984, they worked together for the first time as husband and wife on a TV production of [[Ivan Turgenev]]'s play ''[[A Month in the Country (play)|A Month in the Country]]''.


===Retirement===
===Retirement===
Schell's career continued into the mid-1990s, after which she retired from acting and opened Chambre d'Hôtes Valentin, a small [[Guest house (lodging)|guesthouse]] in [[Bonneval, Haute-Loire|Bonneval]], [[Haute-Loire]], [[France]], which would become a popular destination for fans of ''[[Space: 1999]]''. She reportedly sold the inn after the death of her second husband in 2006.
Schell's career continued into the mid-1990s, after which she retired from acting and opened Chambre d'Hôtes Valentin, a small [[Guest house (lodging)|guesthouse]] in [[Bonneval, Haute-Loire|Bonneval]], [[Haute-Loire]], [[France]], which would become a popular destination for fans of ''[[Space: 1999]]''. She reportedly sold the inn after the death of her second husband in 2006.


Schell made her first [[Science fiction convention|convention]] appearance at MainMission:2000, a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''Space: 1999'' held in [[New York City]]. To date, she has appeared at only one other convention, mainly due to her second husband's declining health.
Schell made her first [[Science fiction convention|convention]] appearance at MainMission:2000, a celebration of the 25th anniversary of ''Space: 1999'' held in New York City. To date, she has appeared at only one other convention, mainly due to her second husband's declining health.


Schell contributed a foreword to the ''Space: 1999'' novel ''Born for Adversity'', written by [[David McIntee]] and published by [[Powys Media]] in 2010.
Schell contributed a foreword to the ''Space: 1999'' novel ''Born for Adversity'', written by [[David McIntee]] and published by Powys Media in 2010.


Schell's autobiography A Constant Alien was published in 2016.<ref>https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/catherine-schell-interview</ref>
Schell's autobiography ''A Constant Alien'' was published in 2016.<ref name="starburst-interview">{{cite web |title=Catherine Schell {{!}} SPACE: 1999 |url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/catherine-schell-interview |website=starburstmagazine.com |publisher=[[Starburst (magazine)|Starburst]] magazine |access-date=17 January 2021 |date=2 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="fantom-autobio">{{cite book |last1=Schell |first1=Catherine |title=A Constant Alien. |date=21 March 2016 |publisher=Fantom Films Limited |isbn=978-1781961612 |url=https://www.fantompublishing.co.uk/product/catherine-schell-a-constant-alien/ |access-date=17 January 2021 }}</ref>


She subsequently came out of acting retirement to portray the Grand Duchess Valeria in the [[BBC One]]/[[Netflix]] series ''[[Dracula_(2020_TV_series)|Dracula]]'', which aired in 2020.
She subsequently came out of acting retirement to portray the Grand Duchess Valeria in the [[BBC One]]/[[Netflix]] series ''[[Dracula_(2020_TV_series)|Dracula]]'', which aired in 2020.


==Filmography==
==Selected filmography==
===Film===
* ''Lana – Königin der Amazonen'' (1964) - Queen Lana
{| class="wikitable"
* ''[[Traitor's Gate (film)|Traitor's Gate]]'' (1964) - Hope Joyner
|-
* ''[[Hell Is Empty]]'' (1967) - Catherine Grant
!Year
* ''[[Assignment K]]'' (1968) - Maggi (uncredited)
!Title
* ''[[Amsterdam Affair]]'' (1968) - Sophie Ray
!Role
* ''[[Moon Zero Two]]'' (1969) - Clementine
!Notes
* ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)|On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]'' (1969) - Nancy, a Hungarian Girl
|-
* ''[[Madame Sin]]'' (1972) - Barbara
* ''[[The Black Windmill]]'' (1974) - Lady Melissa Julyan
|1964 || ''[[Lana, Queen of the Amazons]]'' || Queen Lana ||
|-
* ''[[Callan (film)|Callan]]'' (1974) - Jenny
|1964 || ''[[Traitor's Gate (film)|Traitor's Gate]]'' || Hope Joyner ||
* ''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]'' (1975) - Lady Claudine Litton
|-
* ''[[Gulliver's Travels (1977 film)|Gulliver's Travels]]'' (1977) - Mary
|1967 || ''[[Hell Is Empty]]'' || Catherine Grant ||
* ''Exposure'' (1978) - Caroline
|-
* ''[[The Prisoner of Zenda (1979 film)|The Prisoner of Zenda]]'' (1979) - Antoinette
|1968 || ''[[Assignment K]]'' || Maggi || Uncredited
* ''[[The Island of Adventure (film)|The Island of Adventure]]'' (1982) - Alison Mannering
|-
* ''On the Third Day'' (1983) - Clarissa Hammond
|1968 || ''[[Amsterdam Affair]]'' || Sophie Ray ||
* ''[[On the Black Hill (film)|On the Black Hill]]'' (1988) - Lotte Zons
|-
* ''[[The March (1990 film)|The March]]'' (1990) - Noelle Epps
|1969 || ''[[Moon Zero Two]]'' || Clementine Taplin ||Credited as Catherina von Schell
* ''Piccolo grande amore'' (1993) - Countess Von Dix
|-
|1969 || ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)|On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]'' || [[Bond girl|Nancy]] ||
|-
|1972 || ''[[Madame Sin]]'' || Barbara ||
|-
|1974 || ''[[The Black Windmill]]'' || Lady Melissa Julyan ||
|-
|1974 || ''[[Callan (film)|Callan]]'' || Jenny ||
|-
|1975 || ''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]'' || Lady Claudine Litton ||
|-
|1977 || ''[[Gulliver's Travels (1977 film)|Gulliver's Travels]]'' || Mary ||
|-
|1978 || ''Exposure'' || Caroline ||
|-
|1978 || ''[[The Bringers of Wonder, Part One|Destination Moonbase-Alpha]]'' || Maya ||Originally [[Space: 1999|''Space: 1999'']] 2-part episode “[[The Bringers of Wonder, Part One|The Bringers of Wonder]]”
|-
|1979 || ''[[The Prisoner of Zenda (1979 film)|The Prisoner of Zenda]]'' || Antoinette ||
|-
|1982 || ''[[The Island of Adventure#Film adaptation|The Island of Adventure]]'' || Alison Mannering ||
|-
|1982 || ''[[The Metamorph|Cosmic Princess]]'' || Maya ||Originally [[Space: 1999|''Space: 1999'']] episodes “[[The Metamorph]]” and “Space Warp”
|-
|1983 || ''On the Third Day'' || Clarissa Hammond ||
|-
|1988 || ''[[On the Black Hill (film)|On the Black Hill]]'' || Lotte Zons ||
|-
|1990 || ''[[The March (1990 film)|The March]]'' || Noelle Epps ||
|-
|1993 || ''[[Pretty Princess]]'' || Countess Von Dix ||
|-
|2022 || ''[[The Munsters (2022 film)|The Munsters]]'' || Zoya Krupp ||<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://screenrant.com/munsters-movie-rob-zombie-catherine-schell-zoya-image/ | title=The Munsters Image: Rob Zombie Reveals First Look at Catherine Schell's Character | website=[[Screen Rant]] | date=14 January 2022 }}</ref>
|}


== Television ==
===Television===
{| class="wikitable"
* ''[[The Sweeney]]'' (1975) - [[Stella Goodman]]
|-
* ''[[Space: 1999]]'' (1976) - [[Maya (Space: 1999)|Maya]]
!Year
* ''[[Doctor Who]]'' (1979) - Countess Scarlioni in ''[[City of Death]]''
!Title
* ''[[The Spoils of War (TV serial)|The Spoils of War]]'' (1980–1981) – Paula Brandt
!Role
* ''[[Dracula_(2020_TV_series)|Dracula]]'' (2020) - Grand Duchess Valeria
!Notes
|-
|1967 || ''[[Till Eulenspiegel]]'' || Nele || Unknown episodes
|-
|1970 || ''[[Omnibus (British TV programme)|Omnibus]]'' || Lunia || Episode: "A Requiem for Modigliani"
|-
|1971 || ''[[Paul Temple (TV series)|Paul Temple]]'' || Uschi Baumann || Episode: "Death of Fasching"
|-
|1971 || ''[[The Troubleshooters (British TV series)|The Troubleshooters]]'' || Kirsten Hansen || 2 episodes
|-
|1971 || ''[[The Search for the Nile]]'' || Florence Baker || 2 episodes
|-
|1971 || ''[[The Persuaders!]]'' || Kristin Hansen || Episode: "The Morning After"
|-
|1972 || ''[[A Family at War]]'' || Erika || Episode: "Two Fathers"
|-
|1972–1973 || ''[[The Adventurer (TV series)|The Adventurer]]'' || Diane Marsh || 11 episodes
|-
|1973 || ''[[The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (TV series)|The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes]]'' || Maria Wolkinski || Episode: "The Sensible Action of Lieutenant Holst"
|-
|1973 || ''[[Arthur of the Britons]]'' || Benedicta || Episode: "The Girl from Rome"
|-
|1974 || ''[[Napoleon and Love]]'' || Marie Walewska || 4 episodes
|-
|1974 || ''Dial M for Murder'' || Helen || Episode: "Contract"
|-
|1974 || ''The Double Dealers'' || The Double Dealers || Episode: "An Ad in The Times"
|-
|1975 || ''[[The Sweeney]]'' || Stella Goodman || Episode: "Big Spender"
|-
|1975 || ''[[Thriller (British TV series)|Thriller]]'' || Julie || Episode: "The Next Voice You See"
|-
|1975 || ''[[Looking for Clancy]]'' || Penny Clancy || 4 episodes
|-
|1975 || ''[[Space: 1999]]'' || Servant of the Guardian || Episode: "[[Guardian of Piri]]"
|-
|1976 || ''[[Play of the Month]]'' || Mabel Dancy || Episode: "Loyalties"
|-
|1976–1977 || ''[[Space: 1999]]'' || [[Maya (Space: 1999)|Maya]] || 23 episodes
|-
|1977 || ''[[Supernatural (British TV series)|Supernatural]]'' || Theresa || Episode: "Viktoria"
|-
|1978 || ''[[The Onedin Line]]'' || Hannah Webster || Episode: "The Reverend's Daughter"
|-
|1978 || ''[[Return of the Saint]]'' || Samantha || Episode: "The Imprudent Professor"
|-
|1979 || ''[[Doctor Who]]'' || Countess Scarlioni || Episode: "[[City of Death]]"
|-
|1980 || ''[[The Gentle Touch]]'' || Margot || Episode: "Melody"
|-
|1980–1981 || ''[[The Spoils of War (TV serial)|The Spoils of War]]'' || Paula Brandt || 11 episodes
|-
|1980 || ''[[Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson]]'' || Lady Sylvia Tarleton || Episode: "The Case of the Deadly Tower"
|-
|1982 || ''[[Strangers (1978 TV series)|Strangers]]'' || Sophy Paget-Lombardi || Episode: "A Swift and Evil Rozzer"
|-
|1983 || ''[[Bergerac (TV series)|Bergerac]]'' || Veronique || Episode: "Prime Target"
|-
|1983 || ''[[Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime]]'' || Virma La Strange || Episode: "The Ambassador's Boots"
|-
|1985 || ''[[One by One (TV series)|One by One]]'' || Lady Ann Pendle || 6 episodes
|-
|1985–1986 || ''[[Mog (TV series)|Mog]]'' || Mrs. Mortenson || All 13 episodes
|-
|1985 || ''[[A Month in the Country (novel)|A Month in the Country]]'' || Lizaveta || TV film
|-
|1985 || ''[[My Brother Jonathan (TV series)|My Brother Jonathan]]'' || Mrs. Martyn || Episode: #1.1
|-
|1988 || ''[[Screen Two]]'' || Melena Lotskova || Episode: "Border"
|-
|1989 || ''[[The Bill]]'' || Mrs. Stern || Episode: Silver Lining"
|-
|1989 || ''[[Howards' Way]]'' || Yvette Studer || Episode: #5.10
|-
|1990 || ''[[Wish Me Luck]]'' || Virginia Mitchell || 8 episodes
|-
|1991 || ''[[Lovejoy]]'' || Francis Beauchamp || Episode: "Raise the Hispanic"
|-
|1992 || ''[[Moon and Son]]'' || Mrs. Milestone || Episode: "Nearly Dearly Departed"
|-
|1993 || ''[[Screen Two]]'' || Marie-Claire || Episode: "The Clothes in the Wardrobe"
|-
|1994 || ''[[The Wimbledon Trilogy#Screen adaptation|The Wimbledon Poisoner]]'' || Mrs. Gunther || Both 2 episodes
|-
|1995 || ''[[Tales of Mystery and Imagination]]'' || Lady Montresor || Episode: "The Cask of Amontillado"
|-
|1996 || ''[[The Knock]]'' || Inspector Helene Masson || 2 episodes
|-
|2020 || ''[[Dracula (2020 TV series)|Dracula]]'' || Grand Duchess Valeria || Episode: "Blood Vessel"
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 97: Line 224:
==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb name|0770711}}
* {{IMDb name|0770711}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes-person|catherine_schell}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:British people of German descent]]
[[Category:British people of French descent]]
[[Category:British people of French descent]]
[[Category:Actresses of German descent]]

Latest revision as of 14:04, 29 December 2024

Catherine Schell
Schell in 1967
Born
Katherina Freiin Schell von Bauschlott

(1944-07-17) 17 July 1944 (age 80)
Budapest, Hungary
NationalityBritish
Other namesCatherine von Schell
Katherina von Schell
Katherine von Schell
Alma materOtto Falckenberg School of the Performing Arts
Occupation(s)Television and film actress
Years active1964–2004; 2020-Present
Known forOn Her Majesty's Secret Service
The Return of the Pink Panther
Doctor Who
TelevisionSpace: 1999
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1968; div. 1977)​
​
​
(m. 1982; died 2006)​
Parent(s)Baron Paul Schell von Bauschlott
Countess Katharina Maria Etelka Georgina Elisabeth Teleki de Szék

Catherine Schell (born Katherina Freiin Schell von Bauschlott, 17 July 1944) is a Hungarian-born British actress who came to prominence in British film and television productions from the 1960s. Her notable roles include the Bond girl Nancy in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Lady Claudine Litton in The Return of the Pink Panther (1975), Countess Scarlioni in the Doctor Who serial City of Death (1979), and a regular role as Maya in Year Two of the television series Space: 1999 (1976-1977).

Early life

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Schell's father, Baron Pál Schell von Bauschlott (Nagyida, 5 September 1898 - Munich, 20 October 1979), was a Hungarian diplomat of three-quarter[1] Hungarian ancestry; her mother (m. Budapest, 28 January 1940) was Countess Katalin Mária Etelka Georgina Erzsébet Teleki de Szék (Budapest, 11 November 1917 - ?).[2] "Schell" is the family name, while "von Bauschlott" indicates the place in Germany where the Schell family owned its main estate.

Fleeing Hungary in advance of the Soviets and communism, the family lived in poverty until 1948, finding asylum in Austria: first in Vienna, then in Salzburg. In 1950, the family emigrated to the United States,[3] where Schell's father acquired American citizenship.

Schell entered a convent school in the New York City borough of Staten Island. In 1957, her father joined Radio Free Europe and the family moved to Munich where Schell developed an interest in acting and attended the Otto Falckenberg School of the Performing Arts.[4]

Career

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Film

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She acted under the alternate name "Catherina von Schell" early in her career. Under this name she made her film debut as the title character in the little-known German-language film Lana, Queen of the Amazons (1964). She appeared as Bond girl Nancy in the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), with George Lazenby in the lead.[3] Around the same time, she appeared in Hammer Films science-fiction thriller Moon Zero Two (also 1969) cast in the role of Clementine Taplin. She appeared with Bette Davis, now credited as Catherine Schell, in Madame Sin (1972), a television film made by ITC which was released theatrically in some markets.

Schell appeared opposite Peter Sellers in the comedy The Return of the Pink Panther (1975) as Lady Claudine Lytton. Schell appeared with Sellers again in The Prisoner of Zenda (1979), one of his last films.

Television

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Schell's first TV credit was Till Eulenspiegel (1967), a West German comedy in which she played Nele and was billed as Katherina von Schell.

Schell spent much of her career in British television, appearing in more than 47 series spanning a period of nearly 30 years. She played regular roles in series such as The Adventurer, Looking For Clancy, One by One, Mog and Wish Me Luck, in addition to many guest appearances, including The Persuaders! (starring alongside future James Bond actor Roger Moore), The Troubleshooters, Arthur of the Britons, Return of the Saint, The Sweeney, The Onedin Line, The Gentle Touch, Lovejoy, Bergerac, The Bill, Howards' Way and The Search for the Nile.

Schell appeared in the science-fiction series Space: 1999 as a robotic servant ("Guardian of Piri", 1975), and returned to the series in its second season as the regular character Maya, a shape-shifting "metamorph" from the planet Psychon. Schell appeared in another British science-fiction series, as Countess Scarlioni in the Doctor Who serial City of Death (1979).[3]

Personal life

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Family

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Schell's brother, Paul Rudolf (born 1940), now known as Paul von Schell, has acted in German-language productions. A younger brother, Peter (1941–68), died young. Through a German great-grandfather, Schell is related to Louis XIV of France (1638–1715), Philip II, Duke of Orléans (1674–1723), Regent of France and Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor (1708–65).[citation needed] She is not believed to be related to the Austrian-Swiss actors Maximilian and Maria Schell.[citation needed]

Marriages

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While filming Amsterdam Affair in 1968, Schell met and married her first husband, British actor William Marlowe (1930–2003), and moved to London. The marriage ended in divorce in 1977. Schell married director Bill Hays (1938–2006) in 1982. In 1984, they worked together for the first time as husband and wife on a TV production of Ivan Turgenev's play A Month in the Country.

Retirement

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Schell's career continued into the mid-1990s, after which she retired from acting and opened Chambre d'Hôtes Valentin, a small guesthouse in Bonneval, Haute-Loire, France, which would become a popular destination for fans of Space: 1999. She reportedly sold the inn after the death of her second husband in 2006.

Schell made her first convention appearance at MainMission:2000, a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Space: 1999 held in New York City. To date, she has appeared at only one other convention, mainly due to her second husband's declining health.

Schell contributed a foreword to the Space: 1999 novel Born for Adversity, written by David McIntee and published by Powys Media in 2010.

Schell's autobiography A Constant Alien was published in 2016.[3][5]

She subsequently came out of acting retirement to portray the Grand Duchess Valeria in the BBC One/Netflix series Dracula, which aired in 2020.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1964 Lana, Queen of the Amazons Queen Lana
1964 Traitor's Gate Hope Joyner
1967 Hell Is Empty Catherine Grant
1968 Assignment K Maggi Uncredited
1968 Amsterdam Affair Sophie Ray
1969 Moon Zero Two Clementine Taplin Credited as Catherina von Schell
1969 On Her Majesty's Secret Service Nancy
1972 Madame Sin Barbara
1974 The Black Windmill Lady Melissa Julyan
1974 Callan Jenny
1975 The Return of the Pink Panther Lady Claudine Litton
1977 Gulliver's Travels Mary
1978 Exposure Caroline
1978 Destination Moonbase-Alpha Maya Originally Space: 1999 2-part episode “The Bringers of Wonder”
1979 The Prisoner of Zenda Antoinette
1982 The Island of Adventure Alison Mannering
1982 Cosmic Princess Maya Originally Space: 1999 episodes “The Metamorph” and “Space Warp”
1983 On the Third Day Clarissa Hammond
1988 On the Black Hill Lotte Zons
1990 The March Noelle Epps
1993 Pretty Princess Countess Von Dix
2022 The Munsters Zoya Krupp [6]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1967 Till Eulenspiegel Nele Unknown episodes
1970 Omnibus Lunia Episode: "A Requiem for Modigliani"
1971 Paul Temple Uschi Baumann Episode: "Death of Fasching"
1971 The Troubleshooters Kirsten Hansen 2 episodes
1971 The Search for the Nile Florence Baker 2 episodes
1971 The Persuaders! Kristin Hansen Episode: "The Morning After"
1972 A Family at War Erika Episode: "Two Fathers"
1972–1973 The Adventurer Diane Marsh 11 episodes
1973 The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes Maria Wolkinski Episode: "The Sensible Action of Lieutenant Holst"
1973 Arthur of the Britons Benedicta Episode: "The Girl from Rome"
1974 Napoleon and Love Marie Walewska 4 episodes
1974 Dial M for Murder Helen Episode: "Contract"
1974 The Double Dealers The Double Dealers Episode: "An Ad in The Times"
1975 The Sweeney Stella Goodman Episode: "Big Spender"
1975 Thriller Julie Episode: "The Next Voice You See"
1975 Looking for Clancy Penny Clancy 4 episodes
1975 Space: 1999 Servant of the Guardian Episode: "Guardian of Piri"
1976 Play of the Month Mabel Dancy Episode: "Loyalties"
1976–1977 Space: 1999 Maya 23 episodes
1977 Supernatural Theresa Episode: "Viktoria"
1978 The Onedin Line Hannah Webster Episode: "The Reverend's Daughter"
1978 Return of the Saint Samantha Episode: "The Imprudent Professor"
1979 Doctor Who Countess Scarlioni Episode: "City of Death"
1980 The Gentle Touch Margot Episode: "Melody"
1980–1981 The Spoils of War Paula Brandt 11 episodes
1980 Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson Lady Sylvia Tarleton Episode: "The Case of the Deadly Tower"
1982 Strangers Sophy Paget-Lombardi Episode: "A Swift and Evil Rozzer"
1983 Bergerac Veronique Episode: "Prime Target"
1983 Agatha Christie's Partners in Crime Virma La Strange Episode: "The Ambassador's Boots"
1985 One by One Lady Ann Pendle 6 episodes
1985–1986 Mog Mrs. Mortenson All 13 episodes
1985 A Month in the Country Lizaveta TV film
1985 My Brother Jonathan Mrs. Martyn Episode: #1.1
1988 Screen Two Melena Lotskova Episode: "Border"
1989 The Bill Mrs. Stern Episode: Silver Lining"
1989 Howards' Way Yvette Studer Episode: #5.10
1990 Wish Me Luck Virginia Mitchell 8 episodes
1991 Lovejoy Francis Beauchamp Episode: "Raise the Hispanic"
1992 Moon and Son Mrs. Milestone Episode: "Nearly Dearly Departed"
1993 Screen Two Marie-Claire Episode: "The Clothes in the Wardrobe"
1994 The Wimbledon Poisoner Mrs. Gunther Both 2 episodes
1995 Tales of Mystery and Imagination Lady Montresor Episode: "The Cask of Amontillado"
1996 The Knock Inspector Helene Masson 2 episodes
2020 Dracula Grand Duchess Valeria Episode: "Blood Vessel"

References

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  1. ^ "Peter Schell von Bauschlott's Family Tree". geni.com. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  2. ^ https://genealogy.euweb.cz/hung/teleki2.html
  3. ^ a b c d "Catherine Schell | SPACE: 1999". starburstmagazine.com. Starburst magazine. 2 June 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  4. ^ Heald, Tim (1976). The Making of Space: 1999. New York: Ballantine Books. p. 60. ISBN 978-0345252654.
  5. ^ Schell, Catherine (21 March 2016). A Constant Alien. Fantom Films Limited. ISBN 978-1781961612. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  6. ^ "The Munsters Image: Rob Zombie Reveals First Look at Catherine Schell's Character". Screen Rant. 14 January 2022.
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