Monday 26 June 2006

Helen Mirren 1946 -

born 26th June 1946 in Essex, England to an English mother and a Russian father; actress; started working as a "blagger" to attract customers on to rides at a Southend on Sea amusement park; joined the National Youth Theatre; best known for her film work in Mosquito Coast, Excalibur, The Comfort of Strangers, The Long Good Friday and The Madness of King George; 1995 won Emmy Award for her hard-bitten police inspector Jane Tennison in the series Prime Suspect (1992 and ongoing); recently played in a four-hour miniseries, Painted Lady; also recently wed her long time partner, director Taylor Hackford (who directed her in White Nights).