Born June 1, 1950 in Dublin, Ireland

Birth Name Rita Gemma Gabriel

Height 5' 2" (1.57 m)

Mini Bio (1) Her father, Gabriel, was a bus conductor and her mother, Lillian, was a dancer and comedienne on the music halls, Gemma made her debut at the age of 3 singing 'Out of my Heart' at the Marymont Hall in Dublin and won 1st prize. The family eventually moved to Westcliff on Sea when she was 9 and her father worked on Ford's production line. Gemma's first professional part was in 'The Flower Drum Song'at the Little Theatre then became ASM at the Palace Theatre, Westcliffwhich was her first full time job while her first professional stage role was in 'Cinderella' in 1960.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Tonyman 5

David Beamish (1990 - 1996) (divorced)

Frazer Hines (1981 - 1984) (divorced)

Attended St Bernard's Convent High School for Girls in Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex.

Her family moved from Dublin, Ireland when she was 10-years old

Her father suffered from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) for seven years before he died. This is the same disease that actor Dudley Moore died from.

Won the award for Best Actress in a Musical in the 1980 Laurence Olivier Awards for her performance in 'They're Playing Our Song'.

Rita Gemma Craven (born Rita Gemma Gabriel; 1 June 1950) is an Irish actress. She is best known for her role as Joan Parker, the frigid wife of Arthur (Bob Hoskins), in the BBC TV drama Pennies From Heaven (1978).

Personal life Craven was married from 1981 to 1984 to actor Frazer Hines, and from 1990 to 1996 to financier David Beamish.