Katy Manning, English-Australian actress and production manager
Catherine Ann "Katy" Manning (born 14 October 1946) is an English-Australian actress, television presenter, voice artist and former model. Although she has made many appearances on both screen and stage, Manning is best known for her part as the companion Jo Grant in the BBC science fiction television series Doctor Who. Manning initially played the role in the 1970s but reprised the role in the Doctor Who spin-off The Sarah Jane Adventures in 2010. She is also well known for voicing Iris Wildthyme in the audio series Iris Wildthyme for Big Finish Productions since 2005.
Moving to Australia in 1982, Manning continued her career before moving to Los Angeles, U.S. in the 1990s and then returning to Australia. She has also made many theatre appearances, including two one-woman shows and playing Mary Smith in the first run of the play Run for Your Wife and Rita in Educating Rita at the Sydney Opera House.
Manning became best friends with Liza Minnelli while living in the U.S. She and Minnelli set up a production company. Since 1990, Manning has been in a relationship with Australian entertainer and singer Barry Crocker and is now an Australian citizen. In 2009, Manning moved back to the U.K. to pursue new acting work and currently lives in London.