Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith, the companion to the Third, Fourth, and Tenth Doctors, as well as had an adventure with the Eleventh, has succumbed to cancer. She was only 63.
Sladen’s Sarah Jane Smith was the first companion I saw when I began watching Doctor Who. both PBS back in the day and the Sci Fi Channel a little later aired the mid-’70’s episodes with Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor. Being the first, she set my expectations for what a companion is supposed to be. As a longtime comic book fan, I viewed her as the British Lois Lane. She was an intrepid journalist who was more than just a damsel in distress. She was a capable assistant in times of trouble in her own right.
I knew she was battling cancer as of late, but had no idea she was reaching the end. She was still spry and young on the last season of The Sarah Jane Adventures not too long ago. Very sad, but good memories of her from better days.
Godspeed, Ms. Sladen.
Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith, the companion to the Third, Fourth, and Tenth Doctors, as well as had an adventure with the Eleventh, has succumbed to cancer. She was only 63.
