Maria Zena Schneider, subsequently renowned as Maria Charles, emerged as a petite, fiery-haired stage and screen character actress, hailing from a Jewish family in London. The foundation of her future career was laid by her parents, David Schneider, a skilled hairdresser, and Celia (née Ashken, originally Ashkenaza),who instilled in her a robust and lasting sense of purpose.
Charles, a renowned thespian, commenced his illustrious career in the performing arts after graduating from the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1946, marking the beginning of a remarkable journey that would span an astonishing six and a half decades, dating back to 1945.
The talented individual's professional journey in the theatrical realm commenced with a notable stint in the title role of Dulcie, one of the esteemed and refined "perfect young ladies," in the highly acclaimed and commercially successful musical production "The Boy Friend" from April 1953 to February 1959.
Charles embarked on a screen career in 1947, gradually amassing a substantial body of work in miniseries and episodic television productions.
Her acting repertoire became synonymous with portrayals of fastidious or over-protective Jewish maternal figures, a characteristic that earned her a lasting reputation in the entertainment industry.
Some of her most notable roles in this vein include Bea Fisher in the ITV sitcom "Agony", which premiered in 1979, Rita Green in "Bar Mitzvah Boy", a television production that aired in 1976, and a range of Dickensian characters, including Miss Ninetta Crummles in the 1957 adaptation of "Nicholas Nickleby" and Sarah Pocket, the fawning relative of Miss Havisham, in the 1974 television adaptation of "Great Expectations".
Notable television appearances by Charles include recurring roles on classic British dramas such as "Crown Court" in 1972, where she showcased her versatility as a character actress, and "Secret Army" in 1977, demonstrating her ability to adapt to diverse storylines. Additionally, she made memorable appearances on popular sitcoms like "Never the Twain" in 1981, where her warm and endearing on-screen presence added depth to the show. Furthermore, Charles also had a long-running stint on the iconic British soap opera "Coronation Street" starting from 1960, cementing her status as a beloved figure in British television. On the big screen, she made occasional supporting appearances in a range of films, such as the comedy classic "Revenge of the Pink Panther" in 1978, the action-adventure film "Cuba" in 1979, the drama "Savage Hearts" in 1995, and the action-comedy "Hot Fuzz" in 2007, showcasing her impressive range as an actress.
From the years spanning 1952 to 1966, Charles, a renowned individual, was in a marital union with Robin Hunter, a distinguished English actor, with whom she shared a life partnership that resulted in the birth of two daughters.
