June Brown

June Brown, best known for playing chain-smoking laundromat legend Dot Cotton in British TV soap "EastEnders," has died at the age of 95.

Her most memorable storylines included Dot's relationship with her career-criminal son, Nick Cotton, played by John Altman, who plotted to kill her in 1990 and again in 2009, and as the star of the soap's first-ever single-handed episode. According to the BBC, Brown played Dot between 1985 and 1993, and then from 1997 onward, appearing in a total of 2,884 episodes. Paying tribute to Brown, a BBC spokesperson said: "June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television, and having appeared in 2,884 episodes, June's remarkable performances created some of EastEnders' finest moments."

June Brown, who played Dot Cotton for 30 years on 'Eastenders', has died.

In May 2015, Brown revealed that her eyesight was failing due to macular degeneration, which was later written into a storyline. On 2008 she became the first U. K. soap character to carry an entire episode single-handed, an achievement for which she was nominated for a BAFTA TV award. She was also appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2008 Birthday Honors list and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Year’s Honors, both for services to drama and to charity.

Tributes have flooded in for EastEnders star June Brown, who has died aged 95, with Stephen Fry praising her “wonderful human qualities”.

“We send all our love and deepest sympathies to June’s family and friends. June Brown (left) with Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Elstree Studios where EastEnders is filmed June Brown (left) with Queen Elizabeth II during a visit to Elstree Studios where EastEnders is filmed

June Brown, who played Dot Cotton in BBC soap 'EastEnders,' died on April 3. She was 95.

it was a privilege to know her There was nobody quite like June Brown. She captured the zeitgeist of British culture like no other in her many years on our screens. it was a privilege to know her” She was nominated for a best actress BAFTA for her role as Cotton in 2009. June was hugely loved by the cast and crew and she will always hold a special place in the public’s affections. An “EastEnders” spokesperson said: “There are not enough words to describe how much June was loved and adored by everyone at ‘EastEnders,’ her loving warmth, wit and great humor will never be forgotten.

June Brown, who played the chain-smoking Cockney matriarch Dot Cotton on the British soap opera “EastEnders” for 35 years, has died.

(Derek Cox/PA via AP, File)LONDON – June Brown, who played the chain-smoking Cockney matriarch Dot Cotton on the British soap opera “EastEnders” for 35 years, has died. Brown created one of its most popular characters in Cotton, a devout Christian and incorrigible gossip who worked in the local laundromat and assessed her neighbors with a sharp eye and equally sharp tongue.Storylines over the years charted Dot’s tribulations at the hands of her wayward son “Nasty Nick" Cotton, who once plotted to kill her to steal her bingo winnings. One memorable plot strand saw Cotton struggle with her faith after a terminally ill friend asked for help to end her life.“EastEnders” became a British institution — Queen Elizabeth II even visited the set in 2001 — and Brown was one of its longest-serving stars. June Brown, who played chain-smoking Cockney matriarch Dot Cotton on the British soap opera EastEnders for 35 years, has died. She was 95.The BBC, which produces the show, announced Brown’s death on Monday. It said she died at her home outside London on Sunday with her family by her side.“EastEnders” producers said Brown appeared in 2,884 episodes of the soap and “created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television.”Born in 1927, Brown served in the Women’s Royal Naval Service towards the end of World War II before training at the Old Vic Theatre School. She played myriad stage parts with the Royal Shakespeare Company and other troupes, and had many film and TV roles before being cast in “EastEnders,” a soap opera chronicling life in the fictional working-class London neighborhood of Walford.Intended as a southern rival to the northern England-set soap opera “Coronation Street,” the show launched in 1985 and soon became a ratings hit. EastEnders premiered in 1985 and Dot Cotton soon became one of its most beloved characters -- a devout Christian and incorrigible gossip who worked in the local laundromat.

Actress June Brown, who was widely known for her role as character Dot Cotton in the British soap opera EastEnders, died Sunday at 95.

"I had the pleasure of working with June when I was the story producer and when you have the talent such as June Brown to work with, you always knew it was going to be magic," Clenshaw continued. "When you join EastEnders, there are some characters both on and off screen that are just iconic and June Brown, OBE, MBE is at the top of that list, EastEnders Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said in a statement to PEOPLE. "Her creation and portrayal of Dot Cotton made a huge impact in British television, she created iconic moments that not only entertained the nation but at times changed it a little for the better." "I speak for us all at EastEnders when I say that today is a very sad day as June Brown was a truly special and unforgettable woman. EastEnders Star June Brown Dead at 95: 'Loved and Adored By Everyone' British actress June Brown died "very peacefully" Sunday at her home, her family told PEOPLE in a statement Actress June Brown, who was widely known for her role as character Dot Cotton in the British soap opera EastEnders, died on Sunday. She was 95. "June created one of the most iconic characters in Dot Cotton, not just in soap but in British television, and having appeared in 2,884 episodes, June's remarkable performances created some of EastEnders finest moments," an Eastenders spokesperson told PEOPLE. "We send all our love and deepest sympathies to June's family and friends." "We are deeply saddened to announce our beloved mother, June, passed away very peacefully at her home in Surrey on Sunday evening, with her family by her side," the statement read.

LONDON (AP) — June Brown, who played the chain-smoking Cockney matriarch Dot Cotton on the British soap opera “EastEnders” for 35 years, has died.

“EastEnders” became a British institution — Queen Elizabeth II even visited the set in 2001 — and Brown was one of its longest-serving stars. Intended as a southern rival to the northern England-set soap opera “Coronation Street,” the show launched in 1985 and soon became a ratings hit. One memorable plot strand saw Cotton struggle with her faith after a terminally ill friend asked for help to end her life.

Brown discovered unexpected matrilineal Jewish lineage in 2011 while taking part in the popular TV show 'Who Do You Think You Are?'

“EastEnders” became a British institution — Queen Elizabeth II even visited the set in 2001 — and Brown was one of its longest-serving stars. “EastEnders” was intended as a southern rival to the northern England-set soap opera “Coronation Street” when the show launched in 1985 and soon became a ratings hit. One memorable plot strand saw Cotton struggle with her faith after a terminally ill friend asked for help to end her life.

The soap star passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, aged 95, after becoming a household name as chain-smoking Dot Cotton on the long-running soap, ...

The chain smoking, devout, gossiping Dot Cotton wasn't just familiar to EastEnders fans. Brown's character defined British television.

“But when I look back, I know that from that moment on, everything that I ever cared about I’ve lost.” She was, rightfully, nominated for a Bafta for Best Actress for her performance in the episode, making her the second actress nominated for work in a soap opera. “I know it is silly, remembering such a little thing,” Dot said, recalling the death of her uncle and the song he used to sing to her as a child as he tucked her in each night. An old school professional, she excelled in some of the soap’s most serious storylines. Or the time that she got into a fight with her Sat-Nav and drove the wrong way down a busy street. Who could forget the time she accidentally walked into a living room to see Jane Beale giving Ian Beale a pole dance? She had long since ascended to the wider British cultural consciousness.