Pioneering actress Cleo Sylvestre, known for being the first black actress to take on a leading role at the National Theatre and in the UK soap opera Crossroads, has passed away at 79, her agent confirmed.
She also made appearances in popular TV series such as Grange Hill and the recent Channel 5 revival of All Creatures Great and Small. Her agency, Fulcrum Talent, expressed to BBC News that she will be "sorely missed by so many". Aside from acting, Sylvestre had a stint in music, releasing 'To Know Him is to Love Him' in 1964 with The Rolling Stones backing her vocally.
She had become acquainted with the iconic band during a blues night in Soho. Just last month, Sylvestre was featured on The Antiques Roadshow reminiscing about her experiences with the famed rock'n'roll group.
Paying tribute to the late actress on social media today, playwright Bonnie Greer wrote on Twitter (X): "The actor #CleoSylvestreMBE has crossed over. She was one of the reasons that-from my vantage point in NYC-that I thought that this country has the best anglophone theatre ..and the best place to be a #BlackWoman in it. I still think that. Thank you, Cleo!"
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