Her first Carry On film was Carry on Nurse (1959) and her last was Carry on Emmannuelle (1978). She also appeared in The Ship Was Loaded (1957), however this film is not considered to be a part of the Carry On series.
In 1946, Joan first applied to RADA, but one of the adjudicators was not overly keen on her rendition from Winnie the Pooh.
In her early career she was often confused with Dora Bryan, due to their likeness.
Life-long friend of fellow "Carry On..." star Dilys Laye. Dilys and Joan first knew one another during childhood. They both remained close until Joan's death in 2001.
Lifelong friend of actress Norah Holland, who was also her stand-in in the Carry On films. Holland's appearance is obvious during Carry on Girls (1973).
Portrayed by Chrissie Cotterill in Cor, Blimey! (2000) (TV) and by Beatie Edney (daughter of former Joan Sims co-star Sylvia Syms) in Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (2006) (TV).
She and Frankie Howerd had difficulty working together, because they could not stop laughing. During scenes, they would have to look at one another's forehead in order to avoid eye contact and avoid more laughter.
She and Norah Holland were once accosted by a woman in a butcher shop who demanded to know whether Joan was looking after Carry-On film on-screen husband Sid James.
She entered hospital in November 2000. However complications of a routine operation caused her to slip into a coma. Her lifelong friend Norah Holland has spoken of the doctors' amazement at her strength and courage throughout her final illness. Ten minutes before Joan died, Norah spoke to her gently about Kenny (Kenneth Williams, Hattie (Hattie Jacques), and their time on the 'Carry On...' films. Joan died with Norah holding her hand.
She was offered the chance to star in a spin-off series based on her character of "Gran" from "Till Death Us Do Part" (1965), but she turned it down, saying she thought the character was "too depressing".
Slipped into a coma in the last weeks of her life while hospitalised at the Kensington and Chelsea Hospital in central London.
Sold her more substantial home in Fulham several years earlier, complaining of money problems and expressing fears that she would be bankrupt.
Spent her first salary of £25 on kitchen utensils from Selfridges.
Suffered with Bell's palsy in 1999, which caused depression and alcoholism.
The closing pages of her autobiography actually mentions her trivia page on IMDB. She complains that there is not much information, however following her death it was dramatically expanded.
The only actress to appear in the only emotive scenes to be found in the "Carry On..." films. These scenes are unique as they did not rely on the usual innuendo or comedy. These scenes featuring her are found in Carry on at Your Convenience (1971) in which she discusses the morals of relationships and love with Sid James [Filmed on 29 April 1971 as a night shoot, on location scene]; Carry on Behind (1975) with Peter Butterworth in which she discusses marriage and Carry on Emmannuelle (1978) with Victor Maddern, where she dances romantically in a laundrette.
The roles of King and Queen of Spain in Carry on Columbus (1992) were originally offered to Sims and Frankie Howerd. The parts finally went to fellow Carry On stars June Whitfield and Leslie Phillips.
Was cast in a new "Carry On..." due to film in 1988, "Carry On Again Nurse" along with Barbara Windsor, Kenneth Williams, Jack Douglas and Charles Hawtrey. The film centered around hospital due for closure and an oddball set of characters who went about saving the institution. Joan Sims was cast as the Matron; a role synonymous with 'Carry On...' legend Hattie Jacques, who had died in 1980. There was due to be a reminder of Hattie's performances as Matron in a small tribute. Joan Sims was due to turn a photograph of her around after the hospital had been saved and say, "Well, did I do alright?" The production was scheduled to start in June 1988, however the film was plunged into chaos following the death of "Carry On..." starts Charles Hawtrey and Kenneth Williams and was eventually cancelled.
Went to Columbia in 1966 to promote the "Carry On..." films.
While filming the wine-tasting party scene in Carry on Regardless (1961), the director Gerald Thomas switched the water in her glass for neat vodka. Her reaction to the drink is obvious during the scene, however she refused to give in to the director's practical joke. The producer Peter Rogers made Gerald Thomas cut a few times, so that she had to keep sipping on the neat vodka.