DAME Helen Mirren has enjoyed an incredible career both on the big and small screen.
The Oscar-winning actress is a well respected national treasure, who returned to TV to star in 1923.
Who is Helen Mirren?
Born in London on July 26, 1945, Dame Helen Mirren is an award-winning British actress.
She began acting at a young age, first conquering the stage before moving to the screen.
When she was only 20, her performance in Antony And Cleopatra as Cleopatra at the National Youth Theatre earned her a spot in the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Ten years later, in 1975, Helen made her stage debut in the West End.
However, her breakthrough into movies took a longer, with her first big role being the 1980 movie The Long Good Friday.
In the 90s Helen’s big break in TV was when she played DCI Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect.
What is Helen Mirren best known for?
Helen is best known for playing the Queen, both on the stage and screen.
In 2006 she played the late monarch in the award-winning movie The Queen.
She then reprised this role for the West End play The Audience in 2013.
Before playing the Queen, Helen was best known for Prime Suspect.
Is Helen Mirren married?
Helen is married to director Taylor Hackford, who she has been with since 1986.
The pair wed in 1997, and have been together ever since.
Before this Helen lived with actor Liam Neeson for four years during the early 1980s, and has admitted it was a “difficult relationship” to let go of.
Does Helen Mirren have any children?
Helen doesn’t have any children and has previously discussed this.
Speaking to the Sunday Times’ Culture magazine, she said: “I love children, they are so funny and so sweet, but I never wanted my own.
“I have never had a moment of regret about not having children. Well, I lie. When I watched the movie, Parenthood, I sobbed for about 20 minutes.
“It was about the whole story of being a parent and how it never stops, even when you’re a grandparent.
“I realised I would never experience that, and for about 20 minutes, I sobbed for the loss of that and the fact that I never experienced it.
“Then I got over it and I was happy again.”
What are Helen Mirren’s biggest films?
Helen has certainly become the Queen of the Big Screen, over the years
She has starred in many hit movies, but her biggest include:
- Gosford Park
- Calendar Girls
- The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy
- The Queen
- RED
- The Hundred-Foot Journey
- The Fate Of The Furious
What awards has Helen Mirren won?
Helen is definitely a favourite when it comes to the awards circuit.
Her biggest achievements include:
- One Best Actress Academy Award for The Queen
- Two Critics’ Choice Awards
- Five SAG Awards
- Three Baftas
- Five Emmy Awards
- Three Golden Globes
- One Olivier Award
- One Tony Award
What did Helen Mirren look like when she was young?
The actress looked just as stunning in her early years as she does now.
However, she donned luscious brunette locks back in the day compared to her now silver mane.
Apart from the obvious changes which come with aging, Helen has hardly changed since she first hit our screens.
When did Helen Mirren become a Dame?
Helen was given the honour of becoming a Dame in 2003.
She was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for Services to the Performing Arts.
Helen has previously admitted she was worried about accepting the damehood.
Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2009 she said: “I was ambivalent about being offered the DBE (Dame Commander of the British Empire) at first because I’ve always seen myself as slightly on the outside.
“I’m a would-be rebel, and this is very much a way of being welcomed by the Establishment. Very much so – and to me, actors shouldn’t be too established, it’s our job to be anti-Establishment.”
