Elisabeth Sladen, who played Sarah Jane Smith on "Doctor Who" and starred in the spin-off "The Sarah Jane Adventures," has died at 63, the BBC announced.
Sladen, who had battled cancer, first appeared as Sarah Jane on "Doctor Who" in 1973, alongside the third doctor, Jon Pertwee. She stayed for three and half seasons working with Pertwee the fourth doctor, Tom Baker.
Also read: The Doctor's a Whole New 'Who'
Sladen returned for several appearances, and received her own CBBC spin-off, "The Sarah Jane Adventures," in 2007. On the new show she appeared with new doctors David Tennant and Matt Smith.
The show won this year's RTS Award for best children's drama.
"I absolutely loved Lis," said "The Sarah Jane Adventures" creator Russell T Davies. "She was funny and cheeky and clever and just simply wonderful. The universe was lucky to have Sarah Jane Smith; the world was lucky to have Lis."
Added Tennant said: "I just can't believe that Lis is gone. She seemed invincible. The same woman who enchanted my childhood, enchanted my time on 'Doctor Who' and enchanted generations who have watched her and fallen in love with her — just like I did. I feel very honoured to have shared a TARDIS with Sarah Jane Smith, and I feel very lucky to have shared some time with Lis Sladen. She was extraordinary."
She is survived by her husband, actor Brian Miller, and her daughter, Sadie.