Sylvia Beatrice Anderson (; 25 March 1927 – 15 March 2016) was an English television and film producer, writer, voice actress and costume designer, best known for her collaborations with Gerry Anderson, her husband between 1960 and 1981.

In addition to serving as co-creator and co-writer on their TV series during the 1960s and early 1970s, Anderson's primary contribution was character development and costume design. She regularly directed the fortnightly voice recording sessions and provided the voices of many female and child characters. She also helped develop the shows and characters, in particular creating the iconic characters of Lady Penelope and Parker in Thunderbirds.

Early life

Anderson was born in Camberwell, London, England on 25 March 1927. Her father, Sidney Thomas, was a champion boxer, and her mother, Beatrice (), a dressmaker.

After graduating from the London School of Economics with a degree in sociology and political science, she became a social worker.

Career

Anderson returned to the United Kingdom in 1955 with her daughter. She joined the newly founded and short-lived Polytechnic Films as an office assistant in 1957. and developed a wider role in production duties. In 1966 and 1968, Anderson produced two feature-length films based on the Thunderbirds story, Thunderbirds Are Go and Thunderbird 6. following which Sylvia ceased her involvement with the company, which by this time had twice been renamed and was now called Group Three.

Talent scout and writing

In 1983 she published a novel titled Love and Hisses with new material to bring it up to date with the latest developments in her life, such as her role as a production consultant for the 2004 live-action film adaptation of Thunderbirds.

Of the film, Anderson commented, "I'm personally thrilled that the production team have paid us the great compliment of bringing to life our original concept for the big screen. If we had made it ourselves (and we have had over 30 years to do it!) we could not have improved on this new version. It is a great tribute to the original creative team who inspired the movie all those years ago. It was a personal thrill for me to see my characters come to life on the big screen." My FAB Years was re-released as a spoken CD, narrated by Anderson, in 2010.

Late career and charity work

In 2013, Anderson worked with her daughter Dee, a jazz singer, on a concept for a new TV series named The Last Station.

Recognition

In 1966, Thunderbirds received the Royal Television Society Silver Medal.

In 2015, Anderson travelled to Italy to receive a Pulcinella Award in recognition of her career in television production.

Personal life

In 1946, Anderson married Jack Brooks, with whom she had a daughter, Dee. The marriage ended in divorce and in 1952 she married George Thamm, this marriage also ending in divorce. Her third marriage, in 1960, was to Gerry Anderson, with whom she had a son, Dr. Gerry Anderson Jr. (1967–2023), before divorcing Anderson in 1981.

Television

AP Films

  • The Adventures of Twizzle (1957–59) – production assistant
  • Torchy the Battery Boy (first series) (1960) – production assistant
  • Four Feather Falls (1960) – production assistant
  • Supercar (1961–62) – dialogue director, voice artist
  • Fireball XL5 (1962–63) – voice artist
  • Stingray (1964–65) – production assistant, voice artist
  • Thunderbirds (1965–66) – character development, voice artist

Century 21

  • Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (1967–68) – character development, voice artist
  • Joe 90 (1968–69) – character development, voice artist
  • The Secret Service (1969) – character development, voice artist
  • UFO (1970–71) – costume designer

Group Three

  • The Protectors (1972–74) – writer
  • Space: 1999 (1975–77) – producer ("Year One")

ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures

  • Thunderbirds Are Go (2015) – voice artist (as Great Aunt Sylvia)

Filmography

  • Crossroads to Crime (1960) – production assistant, uncredited acting role
  • Thunderbirds Are Go (1966) – co-writer, co-producer, voice artist
  • Thunderbird 6 (1968) – co-writer, co-producer, voice artist
  • Doppelgänger (1969) a.k.a. Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (US title) – co-writer, co-producer
  • Thunderbirds (2004) – production consultant

References

  • Official Site