The hotel industry mourns the loss of one of Sydney’s legends of hospitality and the big screen, with the passing of Doris Goddard at age 89.
Born in Sydney, Goddard first rose to fame in the late 50s courtesy of her world-renowned cabaret performances, travelling extensively, including Europe and China.
She went on to appear in 12 films during the 1950s and 60s, notably starring alongside Bob Hope and Katharine Hepburn in The Iron Petticoat in 1956.
In 1964 she gave up acting to buy the Belmore Park Hotel in Surry Hills with her widowed mother, Essie Goddard. Together they were among the first Sydney publicans to install women’s amenities in their public bar.
After the Belmore came the West End in Balmain, then the Marlborough in Newtown, before finally taking her treasured Hollywood Hotel in 1977.
Ever the entertainer, Goddard was known for both her no-nonsense attitude and for late-night renditions at the bar, where she sang and played guitar.
The announcement of her passing on Monday confirmed Doris “continued to sing to the end”.
Tributes have flowed from the hotel and entertainment industries, City of Sydney Councillor Jess Miller suggesting “the night sky shines just a little less brightly tonight”.
In 2009 Doris Bishop became the second ever woman to be inducted into the AHA NSW’s Hall of Fame.
“Doris was an inspiration to the many female licensees that have come through the industry over the years, and it was for this reason she was inducted into the AHA NSW Hall of Fame in 2009,” offers AHA NSW and National President Scott Leach.
“She’ll be sadly missed from her beloved Hollywood Hotel in Surry Hills where she was an icon.”
