Geraldine Houser (née Moffat; born 5 September 1939) is a British actress. She trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Career

Originally a stage actress, Moffat went on to appear in several British television series during the 1960s and 1970s, including Department S. Her early work included the Alun Owen TV plays Stella and Doreen (1968 and 1969), directed by Alan Clarke. Commenting on Stella, Richard T. Kelly wrote that Moffat is "lovingly framed by Clarke as though she were Monica Vitti". Her appearances in these productions brought her to the attention of film director Mike Hodges, who cast her in his thriller Get Carter (1971) opposite Michael Caine. According to George Bass of the British Film Institute, "To gangster movie fans, Moffat will forever be remembered as the duplicitous Glenda, a criminal mistress who has a pivotal encounter with Michael Caine in 1971's Get Carter."

Personal life

Moffat was married to lawyer and musician Walter Houser, a co-founder of Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. Their two sons are video game producers Sam and Dan Houser, creators of the Grand Theft Auto series. In 2008, she expressed unhappiness at how controversy over the games had caused her sons to be viewed in the UK: "They are a massive success story, yet they are being vilified in their own country. We should be celebrating them. It's disgraceful. British filmmakers are revered when they reach this level of success, even when they make violent movies." She had a cameo role as Mrs Philips in Grand Theft Auto V.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1963From Russia with LoveGypsyUncredited
1970The Man Who Had Power Over WomenLydia Blake
1971Get CarterGlenda
Quest for LoveStella
1974The Last ChapterCarlottaShort film

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1963Emergency Ward 10Nurse White4 episodes
1965CluffDorothy HorriseyEpisode: "The Daughters"
Riviera PoliceMoniqueEpisode: "That Kind of Girl"
1965, 1967Theatre 625Brenda/April2 episodes
1965–1969The Wednesday PlayVarious4 episodes
1966The BaronCristina VitaleEpisode: "Time to Kill"
Pardon the ExpressionSamanthaEpisode: "Big Hotel"
Danger ManMagda KallaiEpisode: "Someone Is Liable to Get Hurt"
Adam Adamant Lives!PrudenceEpisode: "The League of Uncharitable Ladies"
Pardon the ExpressionSamanthaEpisode: "Big Hotel"
No Hiding PlaceVivienne KingEpisode: "Leo Did the Picking and It All Went Bad"
1966–1970Thirty-Minute TheatreVarious3 episodes
1967Champion HouseStella ShawEpisode: "The One That Got Away"
Love StoryPeggy HarrisEpisode: "The Swordfighter"
1968ITV PlayhouseEdgworth BassEpisode: "Rogue's Gallery"
1968–1970Z-CarsKathy Egerton/Karen DunnEpisodes: "A Matter for Thought"/"Threats and Menaces"
1969Out of the UnknownAngieEpisode: "The Little Black Bag"
Department SJanetEpisode: "Six Days"
Strange ReportTessa O'NeillEpisode: "REPORT 0846 LONELYHEARTS 'Who killed Dan Cupid?'"
1970Paul TempleElsieEpisode: "Mr. Wallace Predicts"
UFOJean ReganEpisode: "The Cat with Ten Lives"
1971Take Three GirlsJillEpisode: "A Little Blindness"
The Persuaders!SenkaEpisode: "The Man in the Middle"
1972Jason KingClaudiaEpisode: "The Constance Missal"
1973The ProtectorsMaria MilworthEpisode: "Goodbye George"
1973–1975Crown CourtShirley Sorenson/Mrs. Gorman3 episodes
1973–1980Coronation StreetArlene Jones/Vicki4 episodes
1974Armchair TheatreDianeEpisode: "If You Could See What I Can See"
Father BrownElizabeth BarnesEpisode: "The Hammer of God"
1975Six Days of JusticeKay GrantEpisode: "A Juicy Case"
1975–1976Within These WallsAileen Cruddly3 episodes
1976The New AvengersJoEpisode: "House of Cards"
The SweeneySheila MartinEpisode: "May"
1978Will ShakespeareEleanor BullEpisode: "Dead Shepherd"

Radio

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013Grand Theft Auto VMrs PhilipsVoice; uncredited

External links

  • atIMDb
  • at Theatricalia