Elisabeth Sladen starred in roles for television.
Doctor Who is a British science-fiction television programme produced by the BBC since 1963 . Elisabeth Clara Heath-Sladen ( 1 February 1946 -- 19 April 2011 ) was an English actress best known for her role as Sarah Jane Smith in the British television series Doctor Who . She returned to the public eye in the 2000s with more Doctor Who related appearances , which culminated in taking a regular lead role in The Sarah Jane Adventures .