Tessa Peake-Jones

Tessa Peake-Jones was never a household name in the states, but n her native England, she was a bona fide comedic superstar. Born on May 9, 1957 in Hammersmith, London, Peake-Jones studied acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She first gained notice in a number of BBC productions, including "Pride and Prejudice" (BBC, 1980), "The Bell" (BBC, 1982). and "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" (BBC, 1983). Six years later came the role that would define her whole career: Raquel Turner, aspiring actress and stripper, plus longtime girlfriend of main character Derek "Del Boy" Trotter on "Only Fools and Horses" (BBC, 1988-2003). The show lasted an astounding fifteen years, practically unheard of in British television, and Peake-Jones was a perennial fan favorite. After "Only Fools and Horses" ended in 2003, Peake-Jones refused to settle down, appearing on the hospital drama "Poppy Shakespeare" (Channel 4, 2008), the daytime soap "Doctors" (BBC, 2000-), and the 2013 Christmas episode of "Doctor Who" (BBC One, 1963-). However, to an entire nation, Peake-Jones would always be remembered as Raquel Turner.