She debuted as Fruma Sarah in the Norman Jewison film adaption of the musical Fiddler on the Roof (1971), a triple Oscar winner, but Ruth Madoc really got Mr. Skin fiddling with her second role. Playing Mrs. Dai Bread Two in Under Milk Wood (1971), the dark-haired British actress joined Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and Peter O’Toole in the quirky film about a Welsh fishing village. It’s significant not just because Ruth herself is Welsh, but also because she’s topless in the flick—bobbing up and down and enticing a local fisherman with her arms spread wide and her rosy nipples erect, a joyous smile on her face. In 1977, she added another feature film to her acting resume, as Moll in Crossed Swords, joining Raquel Welch, George C. Scott, Rex Harrison, and a slew of other stars for the adventure comedy drama. Ravishing Ruth had only one more movie role, as Mrs. Ifans in Very Annie Mary (2001) with Rachel Griffiths, but her television career was quite fruitful, as was her stage career. Besides starring in numerous plays, the actress also had big roles in multiple TV programs, including Betty Smith in Hunter’s Walk from 1973-1976, Lizzie Davies in the mini-series The Life and Times of David Lloyd George (1981), the cheeky Gladys Pugh in the hit BBC sitcom Hi-de-hi! from 1980-1988, Shirley Dixon in the TV movie Shaping Up (1988), playing Dorothy Hope in Animal Ark from 1997-1998, starring in Jack of Hearts in 1999 as Jean Pryce, Mine All Mine as Myrtle Jones in 2004, Mrs. Thomas in Little Britain from 2004-2005, and playing Georgie in 2009 in Big Top. Big. Top. Hah!
