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Anna Friel Biography

Birth Name:
Anna Louise Friel
Birth Place:
Rochdale, Lancashire, England
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • Intended to become a barrister, not an actress
  • Though she began acting the year before, at age 16 she decided to leave her A-Levels behind when offered a role in the British soap Brookside
  • Gained notoriety in 1994 when she took part in Britain's first prime-time lesbian kiss, on Brookside
  • Won a 1999 Drama Desk award for her performance in the original Broadway run of Closer, opposite Natasha Richardson, Rupert Graves and Ciarán Hinds
  • Has been a patron of Pauls Trust, a charity that assists children with disabilities

Awards

  • 2018BAFTA Television Awards-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 2001Genie Awards-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated

Relationships