Elisabeth Sladen starred in television roles.
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 was a regular cast member from 1973 to 1976 , alongside both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker , and reprised the role many times in subsequent decades , both on Doctor Who and its spin-offs , K-9 and Company and The Sarah Jane Adventures . She moved to London in 1970 and an appearance in the police drama Z-Cars led to her being selected for a part in 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 .