Left to right, Simon Williams as Group Captain Gilmore, Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, Pamela Salem as Professor Rachel Jensen, {image via the BBC}

Who Was Pamela Salem?

We regret to confirm actress Pamela Salem, who played Miss Moneypenny in Never Say Never Again and appeared as a guest in several sci-fi shows, has died at the age of eighty. She was probably best known for playing Joanne Francis in EastEnders. She played Toos in the Dr Who adventure “The Robots of Death” in 1977 with Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor and Professor Rachel Jensen in Dr Who “The Remembrance of the Daleks” in 1998 with Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor. She also appeared in an episode of Blake’s Seven, as Kara in “Cygnus Alpha” in 1978. She costarred in the British children’s fantasy show Into the Labyrinth as Belor the Sorceress in the 1980s. She reprised the role of Rachel Jensen in the Big Finish audio production Counter-Measures.

Pamela Fortunee Salem was born January 22, 1944 in Bombay, India, which at the time was part of the British Raj. She was educated at the historic Heidelberg University, in Heidelberg Germany, and continued her studies at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England, UK. In 1983 she married actor Michael O’Hagan. She settled in southern California to pursue her career in the 1990S then retired to Surfside, Florida (near Miam)i. Salem and O’Hagan were married from 1983 until his death in 2017. He once appeared on Star Trek: Enterprise as Captain Fraddock in the episode “Cold Front,” but he was better known for playing Geza von Hapsburg in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997), Lord Montague in Shakespeare’s Globe: Romeo and Juliet (2010), and Gratiano in Othello (Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre) (2008). She died February 21, 2024, in Surfside, Florida.

In her time in the U.S., Ms. Salem played Marian Vucelich in ER and had a recurring role in West Wing as Prime Minister Maureen Graty. Salem also appeared in Magnum, PI and Party of Five. She often returned to the UK for BBC roles , both radio and TV.

Tributes from Her Friends

Pamela Salem is fondly remembered by her co-stars and colleagues.

David Richardson, a Doctor Who audio drama producer, said:

“Pamela Salem was lovely, and we all loved her.

“Whenever there was a Big Finish recording for her, she’d fly in from Miami on her own steam, without fuss or fanfare, and appear at the studio armed with the warmest smiles, the biggest hugs and often presents.

“She was a very gentle person, always interested in everyone from her co-stars to the production team to the guest actors and visitors.”

Actor Karen Gledhill, who worked alongside Salem in Counter-Measures, told BBC News: “Pamela was the kindest, most generous actor I have ever worked with.

“Back in the 80s on “Remembrance Of The Daleks” (my first proper TV job), she took me under her wing and led me through a wonderful but slightly daunting experience. We became friends, and whenever we met were always so pleased to see each other.”

She also said they “shared a mutual love of dogs – she adored the canine friends that she often rescued and looked after”.

“She was so loved, so respected and will be so missed,” Gledhill added

David Richardson, who produced all of Pamela Salem’s work at Big Finish, said: “Pamela Salem was lovely, and we all loved her. Whenever there was a Big Finish recording for her, she’d fly in from Miami on her own steam, without fuss or fanfare, and appear at the studio armed with the warmest smiles, the biggest hugs and often presents. She was a very gentle person – always interested in everyone, from her co-stars to the production team to the guest actors and visitors. She talked with joy about her home on Miami Beach, waking up to warmth and waves, and she knew all about our lives and families and life stories. When Miami was hit by a terrible storm a few years ago, and residents were evacuated to public shelters, the tight knit Counter-Measures team in the UK sat waiting nervously to hear how Pam was doing – and the moment she hit safety she was in touch. We were separated by thousands of miles and yet she always felt close – even if we might go for months without corresponding. There was an open and often offered invite to go to Miami and stay with her, but I don’t enjoy international travel anymore so didn’t take up the offer – something I regret.”

Pamela Salem had a long, full life. She earned the respect and affection of her colleagues and the admiration of her fans. Our condolences and comfort to her family and friends.

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