Elizabeth Norment: Shakespearian actress who became best known for playing opposite Kevin Spacey in 'House of Cards'

Although she was a noted Shakespearian in the theatre, the actress Elizabeth Norment, who has died of cancer at the age of 61, was probably best known for playing the executive secretary of Frank Underwood, the diabolical figure played by Kevin Spacey in Netflix’s US version of the political drama House of Cards, a dark thriller set in Washington’s halls of power.

In a career spanning more than 30 years, she acted in numerous films, television shows and plays, and throughout her career she appeared in Shakespeare at theatres and festivals around the US. But her recurring role as Nancy Kaufberger, loyal minion to Spacey’s ruthless, calculating political manipulator, and to his Chief of Staff Doug Stamper (played by Michael Kelly), is what she is likely to be remembered for.

Her character, who knew exactly what her boss wanted, and was willing to provide it unquestioningly as he rose to Washington’s upper echelons, worked for Underwood from his time as a member of the House of Representatives through to his ascension to the presidency. The show, which premiered in 2013, has received more than 20 Emmy nominations.

It was not her first political role. She appeared in the series Political Animals in 2012 and portrayed Eunice Kennedy in the 1985 series Robert Kennedy and His Times. In 1989 she played a prosecutor in the TV film The Final Days, based on Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein’s book about President Nixon’s unravelling following the Watergate revelations they detailed in its predecessor All The President’s Men.

Elizabeth Norment, actress: born Washington DC 31 December 1952; died New York 13 October 2014.

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