Starburst Magazine

R.I.P. Dolores Mantez 1930-2012

Written by Paul Mount Monday, 17 December 2012

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Starburst Magazine has learned of the death in November, following a short illness, of actress Dolores Mantez. Although far from a household name Dolores remains fondly remembered by fans of Gerry Anderson’s classic live action science-fiction adventure series UFO in which she appeared as Lieutenant Nina Barry, one of the famously purple-wigged operatives on Moonbase, SHADO’s front-line defence against the continuing assault upon Earth by green-skinned aliens in their iconic whirling dervish flying saucers.

Born in Liverpool in 1930 Dolores found her way into the entertainment industry as a singer and, without any acting training or experience whatsoever, found that her exotic appearance led to roles in 1960s TV series such as Danger Man with Patrick McGoohan, Z Cars and the classic The Avengers. Dolores also appeared in the first episode of the 1969 version of Randall and Hopkirk: Deceased. Cast as Nina Barry in UFO Dolores went on to appear in 23 of the series’ 26 episodes, her most memorable episode being ’Sub Smash’ where Nina finds herself trapped underwater in a crippled submarine with SHADO Chief Straker (Ed Bishop). Dolores’ last TV appearance was in an episode of BBC1’s The Onedin Line in 1972 whereafter she left the industry having married businessman Robert Harding and settled down to raise a family.

Starburst Magazine extends its sympathies to Dolores’ family.