Dame Helen Mirren, the renowned English actress is professionally known as Helen Mirren. She gained recognition through her notable career as in 1966, she made her first appearance in feature films as Penelope Squires in "Press for Time," initially uncredited. The following year, she had her credited debut in the drama film "Herostratus" as Advert Woman. Later, in 1995, she ventured into theatrical films by lending her voice to the character of Snow Queen in the animated film "The Snow Queen." Transitioning to television, her initial TV appearance was on the talk show "The Brian Connell Interview." She then made her TV show debut as a voice actress in the family series "Reading Rainbow." Throughout her career, Mirren achieved numerous accolades. Notably, she received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her remarkable portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in "The Queen." Additionally, she won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for the same role in "The Audience" and earned four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie. Beyond her acting achievements, Mirren made waves in the fashion industry. In 2013, she became one of the new models for Marks & Spencer's "Womanism" campaign. The Guardian recognized her as one of the 50 best-dressed individuals over 50 in March 2013. Furthermore, in 2022, she took on the role of Cara Dutton in the "Yellowstone" spinoff "1923," sharing the screen with Harrison Ford and Timothy Dalton.
Helen Mirren Background
Helen Mirren entered the world with the birth name Helen Lydia Mironoff on July 26, 1945, in Hammersmith, London, England, United Kingdom, which served as her hometown. Being of mixed ethnicity, she holds British nationality with Russian ancestry from her father's side and English roots from her mother's side. In 2017, Mirren became a U.S. citizen and exercised her right to vote in her first U.S. election in 2020. She identifies as White and falls under the Zodiac sign of Leo. She celebrated her 77th birthday in 2022. Regarding her religious beliefs, she declared herself an atheist in a 1990 interview, stating that she does not believe in God. Mirren was born to Vasily Petrovich Mironoff (1913-1980) as her father and Kathleen Alexandrina Eva Matilda (1909-1996) as her mother. She has two siblings: Katherine Mironoff, her older sister born in 1942, and Peter Basil Mironoff, her younger brother (1948-2002).
Talking about Helen's education, Mirren attended Hamlet Court Primary School in Westcliff-on-Sea and St Bernard's High School for Girls in Southend-on-Sea. Subsequently, she pursued her studies at the New College of Speech and Drama in London, England.
Helen Mirren Career
- Helen Mirren kicks off her acting journey with the role of Castiza in "The Revenger's Tragedy." This marked the beginning of her notable theatrical career. She went on to portray various characters, including Diana in "All's Well That Ends Well" (1967), Cressida in "Troilus and Cressida" (1968), Rosalind in "As You Like It" (1968), Julia in "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" (1970), Tatiana in Gorky's "Enemies" at the Aldwych (1971), and the title role in "Miss Julie" at The Other Place (1971).
- In 1970, she ventured into the world of documentary filmmaking with "Doing Her Own Thing." She collaborated with Peter Brook's International Centre for Theatre Research in 1972 and 1973. Returning to the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), she portrayed Lady Macbeth at Stratford in 1974 and at the Aldwych Theatre in 1975.
- Continuing her stage career, Mirren portrayed rock star Maggie in "Teeth 'n' Smiles" in September 1975 at the Royal Court in the West End. She also took on roles such as Nina in "The Seagull" and Ella in Ben Travers' new farce, "The Bed Before Yesterday."
- In 1977, she delivered a memorable performance as a determined Queen Margaret in Terry Hands' production of the three parts of "Henry VI" at the RSC in Stratford. She returned to the Royal Court for "Healer" in 1981 and portrayed John Webster's "The Duchess of Malfi."
- Mirren's theater career continued with notable appearances in productions like "Two-Way Mirror" (1989), "Elegy for a Lady," "Some Kind of Love Story," "The Audience," "A Month in the Country," and "Dance of Death." In 1998, she also played a role in "Antony and Cleopatra."
- Aside from her stage work, Helen made significant contributions to the world of film. She appeared in numerous movies, including "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1968), "Age of Consent" (1969), "O Lucky Man!" (1973), "Caligula" (1979), "The Long Good Friday" (1980), "Excalibur" (1981), "2010" (1984), "White Nights" (1985), "The Mosquito Coast" (1986), "When the Whales Came" (1989), "The Madness of King George" (1994), "Some Mother's Son" (1996), "Painted Lady" (1997), and "The Prince of Egypt" (1998).
- One of her notable film roles was as the thief's wife in Peter Greenaway's "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover," alongside Michael Gambon. She also portrayed the sadistic history teacher, Mrs. Eve Tingle, in "Teaching Mrs. Tingle."
- Her filmography continued to expand with appearances in "Gosford Park" (2001), "Calendar Girls" (2003), "The Clearing" (2004), "Pride" (2004), "Raising Helen" (2004), "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (2005), and "Shadowboxer" (2005). She portrayed three British queens in different films and television series: Elizabeth I in the TV series "Elizabeth I" (2005), Elizabeth II in "The Queen" (2006), and Charlotte in "The Madness of King George" (1994).
- Mirren also took on supporting roles in films such as "National Treasure: Book of Secrets," "Inkheart," "State of Play," and "The Last Station." In 2000, she appeared in "Greenfingers," "The Pledge," and "No Such Thing." The following year, she starred in "Gosford Park" and "Last Orders."
- In 2010, Helen was featured in several films, including "Love Ranch," "The Tempest," "Brighton Rock," and "Red," and lent her voice to Zack Snyder's animated fantasy film "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole." She also appeared in "Arthur," "The Debt," "Hitchcock," "Alfred Hitchcock and the making of "Psycho," and "The Door."
- She voiced the character of Dean Abigail Hardscrabble in Pixar's animated comedy film "Monsters University" in 2013 and reprised her role in the sequel "Red 2." Her film credits in 2014 include "The Hundred-Foot Journey."
- In 2015, she appeared in films such as "Woman in Gold," "Eye in the Sky," and "Trumbo." The following year, she had a single film release, "Collateral Beauty." She also narrated the documentary film "Cries from Syria" in 2017 and made an uncredited cameo in "The Fate of the Furious."
- Mirren portrayed Sarah Winchester in the supernatural horror film "Winchester" (2018) and starred as Mother Ginger in Disney's adaptation of "The Nutcracker," titled "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms." She also appeared in "Berlin, I Love You" and the French crime thriller film "Anna." Additionally, she co-starred in the "Fast and the Furious" spin-off "Hobbs & Shaw."
- While gaining recognition for her work in film and theater, she has also made significant contributions to television. She is best known for her role as Detective Jane Tennison in the widely acclaimed series "Prime Suspect." She has also appeared in TV shows like "Cousin Bette" (1971), "As You Like It" (1979), "Blue Remembered Hills" (1979), "The Twilight Zone" episode "Dead Woman's Shoes" (1985), "The Passion of Ayn Rand" (1999), "Door to Door" (2002), "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" (2003), and the Laurence Olivier Presents series.
- Helen played Queen Elizabeth I in the 2005 television serial "Elizabeth I" and hosted "Saturday Night Live" on April 9, 2011.
- In September 2007, her autobiography, "In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures," was published in the UK by Weidenfeld & Nicolson.
- Helen provided her voice for the character Nyra, the leader of a group of owls, in Zack Snyder's computer-animated fantasy film "Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole." Following that, she starred in the comedy film "Arthur," a remake of the 1981 film of the same name, with Russell Brand in the lead role.
- In 2014, her sole film release was the comedy-drama "The Hundred-Foot Journey," where she acted alongside Indian actor Om Puri. Mirren then appeared in Gavin Hood's thriller "Eye in the Sky" (2015), portraying a military intelligence officer.
- Her only film in 2016 was "Collateral Beauty," directed by David Frankel. In 2017, Mirren lent her voice as the narrator for "Cries from Syria," a documentary film about the Syrian Civil War, directed by Evgeny Afineevsky.
- Helen took on the role of heiress Sarah Winchester in the supernatural horror film "Winchester" (2018), directed by The Spierig Brothers. In 2019, she appeared in the ensemble film "Berlin, I Love You," the French crime thriller film "Anna," directed and written by Luc Besson, and co-starred in the "Fast and the Furious" spin-off "Hobbs & Shaw." Additionally, she was cast as the villain Hespera in the upcoming superhero film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods," set to release in 2021.
- She is also set to portray Golda Meir, the prime minister of Israel from 1969 to 1974, in a biopic titled "Golda," which was in production as of April 2021. In the same year, she made an appearance in Kendrick Lamar's music video for "Count Me Out" as a therapist.
- In 2022, Mirren portrayed the character Cara Dutton in the "Yellowstone" spinoff series "1923," alongside Harrison Ford and Timothy Dalton.
Bibliography
- In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures (2011)
Awards and Achievements
Helen Mirren, a remarkable actress, has been adorned with a multitude of prestigious accolades and distinctions throughout her illustrious career. Among her extraordinary achievements are an Academy Award, four BAFTA Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Critics' Choice Movie Awards, and a Tony Award. Her remarkable talent and contributions have also been recognized with esteemed honors such as the esteemed BAFTA Fellowship from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts and a Gala Tribute bestowed upon her by the esteemed Film Society of Lincoln Center. Furthermore, her portrayal in "The Audience" garnered her the esteemed title of Best Actress at the Olivier Awards in April. She is also the winner of the SAG Awards in 2022.
Helen Mirren's Husband Taylor Hackford
Helen Mirren, a woman of matrimonial bliss, entered into the sacred bond of marriage with her husband, Taylor Hackford, a distinguished American director. Their union was solemnized at the Ardersier Parish Church, nestled amidst the picturesque Scottish Highlands. Serendipitously, their paths crossed on the set of the film "White Nights," igniting a flame of love that led them down the aisle. Although their love story blossomed without the pitter-patter of little feet, Helen Mirren has openly expressed her lack of maternal instinct, content in her role as a devoted wife. Prior to her current marital bliss, she shared her life with Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson during the early 1980s, their paths intertwining while working on the film "Excalibur" in 1981. Helen Mirren's romantic inclinations lean towards the opposite sex, affirming her heterosexual orientation. Additionally, she lends her support to numerous charitable causes, including Women For Women, Refuge, National Youth Theater, Meals On Wheels, Freedom From Torture, and the Voluntary Responder Group, embodying her compassionate spirit and commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
Helen Mirren's Net Worth (Updated 2023)
Helen Mirren, a luminary of the silver screen, possesses a substantial fortune amounting to a staggering $100 million as of 2023. Her annual income ranges between $2 million and $8 million, a testament to the exceptional value she brings to her craft. Her illustrious acting career serves as the primary wellspring of her wealth, and she finds great contentment in the fruits of her labor. With her financial abundance, Helen Mirren indulges in a life of opulence, embracing a luxurious lifestyle befitting her accomplishments. Beyond her remarkable earnings from film and television projects, she has garnered a significant fortune through lucrative endorsement deals. Esteemed brands such as L'Oreal, Marks & Spencer, Virgin Airlines, and Wii Fit Plus have recognized her remarkable influence and have sought her endorsement, adding to her wealth and prestige.
Helen Mirren Measurements: Height, Weight & More
Helen Mirren stands at a height of 5 ft 4 in or 162.5 cm, with a corresponding weight of 56 kg or 123.5 lbs. She boasts a striking combination of blonde hair and captivating blue eyes, accentuating her distinct features. Sporting a stylish neck-length hairstyle, she complements her appearance with a radiant smile that exudes joy and warmth. Helen Mirren is dedicated to maintaining her physique, engaging in regular exercise routines that encompass knee raises, sit-ups, leg raises, push-ups, side bends, chest raises, running, and spot hopping. With a slim body build, Helen Mirren epitomizes a harmonious balance between elegance and physical well-being.
