Maria Charles, a diminutive, red-haired stage and screen character actress, was born Maria Zena Schneider in London to a Jewish family. Her parents, David Schneider and Celia (née Ashken - originally Ashkenaza),were both influential in her early life, with her father being a hairdresser. Charles' passion for acting led her to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1946, where she graduated and began her career in 1945.
Her first notable performance was in the West End play "Pick-up Girl" in 1946, written by Russian-American dramatist Elsa Shelley. This marked the beginning of a successful theatrical career, with Charles going on to appear in numerous productions, including the hit musical "The Boy Friend" from 1953 to 1959. In this role, she played Dulcie, one of the "perfect young ladies", showcasing her versatility and talent.
In addition to her stage work, Charles also made her screen debut in 1947 and went on to accumulate a significant number of credits in television, including miniseries and episodic shows. She gained a reputation for playing fussy or over-protective Jewish matriarchs, as well as characters from classic literature, such as Miss Ninetta Crummles in "Nicholas Nickleby" and Sarah Pocket in "Great Expectations". Later in her career, she took on roles as kindly old ladies and grandmothers.
Throughout her career, Charles had recurring roles on several television shows, including "Crown Court", "Secret Army", "Never the Twain", and "Coronation Street", as well as occasional supporting parts in films like "Revenge of the Pink Panther", "Cuba", "Savage Hearts", and "Hot Fuzz". Between 1952 and 1966, Charles was married to English actor Robin Hunter, with whom she had two daughters, including the award-winning actress Kelly Hunter.
