Katy Manning was born on October 14, 1946 in England. She showed an early interest in acting and performance, and after high school, she made the bold decision to move to the United States in pursuit of her dreams.
While in the U.S., Manning was offered an acting contract with MGM. However, she decided to return to England to further her education in theater. She enrolled at the prestigious Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, where she honed her craft and developed her skills as an actress.
After completing her studies, Manning began to make a name for herself in the world of acting. She landed her breakout role as Jo Grant in the popular BBC series Doctor Who in the early 1970s. Her portrayal of the spunky and resourceful companion to the Doctor endeared her to fans around the world.
Aside from her role on Doctor Who, Manning also performed in numerous stage productions, showcasing her talent and versatility as an actress. She wrote and starred in a television series called Private Wives, demonstrating her skills as a writer and creator.
Outside of her acting career, Manning's personal life has also been eventful. She had a relationship with fellow British actor Dean Harris, with whom she had fraternal twins, Georgina and Jonathan, in 1979. Later on, she embarked on a long-term relationship with Australian pop vocalist Barry Crocker.
In 2009, Manning premiered her acclaimed one-woman show, Me and Jezebel, at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The show highlighted her talent as a performer and garnered praise from audiences and critics alike.
Throughout her career, Manning has had the opportunity to work with a variety of talented individuals. She performed with comedian Eric Sykes in a late 1980s Australian national tour of the play Run for Your Wife, showcasing her ability to connect with audiences and bring characters to life on stage.
Overall, Katy Manning's career has been marked by success and creativity. From her early days as Jo Grant on Doctor Who to her ventures into stage and writing, she has proven herself to be a versatile and talented actress with a passion for storytelling.