Beryl Reid; British Comedian and Actress of TV, Film, Stage

Beryl Reid, one of Britain’s most popular comedians and actresses, died Sunday of pneumonia at the age of 76, her agent said.

Robert Luff said Reid, who acted on television, radio, the stage and in several films, died in the hospital after knee surgery. “She had been recovering very well since the operation on her knees about a month ago. I was hoping she’d be starting work again soon,” Luff said.

Reid gained international recognition when she appeared on Broadway in a play about lesbian love, “The Killing of Sister George,” in 1966. She repeated her role as a fading radio soap star in the film classic that also featured actress Susannah York.

“Joseph Andrews” and “Entertaining Mr. Sloane” were among her other film credits.

“It’s definitely fair to say she was one of Britain’s best-loved actresses,” Luff said.

Reid, who grew up in Manchester, started on the British stage in 1936 after getting her first break during an impromptu lunch-hour audition.

“Comedy is the longest apprenticeship in the world,” she was once quoted as saying.

The eccentric actress lived alone in a country cottage with a collection of stray cats. In 1986, she was awarded the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her work.