Louisa MacGregor Rix (born 2 February 1955) is a British former actress of theatre, film and television, and interior designer. She is perhaps best known for her role as "Mum" in the BBC sketch series, Harry Enfield & Chums, and its spin-off film, Kevin and Perry Go Large.

Early life

Rix was born in Kensington, London to actors Brian Rix and Elspet Gray. She has one sister and two brothers, one of which is children's author, Jamie Rix. She studied drama at LAMDA and acted for many years on TV and in the theatre.

Career

Rix gained early theatre experience at the Nottingham Playhouse while Richard Eyre was the artistic director, and in Peter Cheeseman's company at Stoke-on-Trent. Her subsequent West End appearances included roles in How the Other Half Loves and Man of the Moment by Alan Ayckbourn; The Pocket Dream by Sandi Toksvig & Elly Brewer; and Whose Life is it Anyway? by Brian Clark, as well as several productions at the National Theatre. Rix is known for playing Kevin the teenager's mum (Mrs Patterson) in the TV series Harry Enfield and Chums, and in the movie Kevin & Perry Go Large. For Granada Television she co-starred with Tim Bentinck in Made In Heaven. She played Mel Smith's girlfriend in two series of Colin's Sandwich and starred in two series of Side By Side, both for the BBC. In Brookside she performed with Anna Friel as the solicitor representing the Jordache family in the 'body under the patio' storyline. She played the vocally-challenged night club singer Melody Lane in a feature-length Coronation Street special with the QEII as the location. One of her final acting roles was as the Home Secretary in The Execution of Gary Glitter.

Personal life

In 1980, Rix married actor Jonathan Coy, with whom she has two children, including Jolyon Coy. Rix and Coy divorced in 1990. She married writer Richard Ommanney in 1994. Her brother Jamie Rix is a television producer. Her paternal aunt, Sheila Mercier, played Annie Sugden in Emmerdale Farm for over 20 years. Rix is a member of the House Committee at Denville Hall and a Trustee.

Filmography