Rosalind Knight, ‘About a Boy’ and ‘The Crown’ Actress, Dead at 87

Actress Rosalind Knight, known for her roles in About a Boy and The Crown, has died at age 87. According to the BBC, the “well-loved” late actress’ family shared the news in a statement, revealing that she passed away on Saturday. No cause of death has been reported at this time.

“She was known to so many generations, for so many different roles,” Knight’s family went on to say, “and will be missed as much by the kids today who howl at Horrible Grandma in Friday Night Dinner as by those of us who are old enough to remember her in the very first Carry On films.” Knight’s career reaches back to the 1950s, when she first began acting in films. In 2002, Knight appeared alongside Hugh Grant, Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, and Rachel Weisz in About A Boy.

As her family noted, one of Knight’s more recent — and recurring — roles, was as “Horrible Grandma” Cynthia Goodman on the British comedy, Friday Night Dinner. In 2016, Knight was cast in The Crown, playing Princess Alice of Battenberg, the mother of Prince Phillip. She turned up in two episodes of the Netflix drama.

In the wake of Knight’s death, many have come out to mourn the loss. “So sad to hear that Rosalind Knight has died,” wrote Gimme Gimme Gimme writer Jonathan Harvey. “She was just perfect as the old prozzie Beryl in Gimme Gimme Gimme, and of course she had a very distinguished career before and after. This is when I last saw her a few years ago in London. Sending love to all her family.”

“So sad to hear that [Rosalind Knight] has passed away,” added British actor Gary James. “A wonderful actor and a great legacy of work to remember her talent by. Rest in peace lovely lady.”