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From the age of 10, Vivien Sherrard knew she wanted to be a professional stage actress. Her dream came true thanks to her training at London's Central School of Speech and Drama, where she began as one of the youngest in her class at age 16. In the 1960's she joined repertory companies at Perth, Leicester, Birmingham, Canterbury, and Bristol Old Vic, among others. Leading roles included Portia in 'The Merchant of Venice,' Helena in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' Ann Whitefield in 'Man and Superman,' Lady Britomart in 'Major Barbara,' Lesbia Grantham in 'Getting Married,' Argia in 'The Queen and the Rebels,' Mrs. Sullen in the 'The Beaux Stratagem,' Meg in 'A Man for All Seasons,' and the title role in 'The Millionairess.' At age 23 she played Miss Havisham in a 1964 production of 'Great Expectations.' In the West End she played Miss Mopply in 'Too True to be Good' at the Garrick Theater, having understudied June Ritchie in the part.
On television, after playing small parts in several series including 'Justice,' 'Callan,' 'Comedy Playhouse' and 'Call Oxbridge 200,' she was selected to play a running character, Barbara Mason, in the cult classic 'Doomwatch,' which celebrated its 50th anniversary in February 2020.
On July 1st, 1972 Vivien left the acting profession to marry Franklin B. Smith, an American entrepreneur who lived in Naples, Florida. In 1980, together with their 6-month old daughter Hope, they moved to the campus of the Madeira School in McLean, Virginia. In 2000 Frank retired as the Assistant Head for Finance and Administration, and the Smiths moved south to the Carolinas.
Vivien still enjoys seeing some of her former acting chums in PBS and BBC productions.
