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Brenda Blethyn Biography

Birth Name:Brenda Anne Bottle

Birth Place:Kent, England, United Kingdom

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Writer

Fast Facts

  • Awarded the O․B․E․ in 2003 for her contributions to drama throughout her career
  • Did not consider acting as a professional until her mid-30s, after the dissolution of her first marriage
  • After joining the Royal National Theatre and starting her career on stage, she would eventually transition to film and television roles including "Grown-Ups" and "Atonement", two of her biggest box office successes to date
  • Made her film debut after 15 years of stage work and eventually moved to New York City to work on Broadway in the early '90s
  • At one point, served on the board of the Kent Film and Television Board
  • Lived in Livingston, Montana for several months at the insistence of director Robert Redford prior to filming 1992's "A River Runs Through It" so that she could adapt a Western accent

Awards

  • 1994British Comedy Award-Best TV Comedy Actress: winner
  • 1996ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1996BSFC Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1996Best Actress-: winner
  • 1996LAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 1997Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1997BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1997CFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1997Chlotrudis Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1997Empire Award-Best British Actress: winner
  • 1997FFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
  • 1997ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: winner
  • 1997NSFC Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1997OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1997OFTA Film Award-Best Drama Actress: winner
  • 1997Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Actress (Mejor Actriz Extranjera): winner
  • 1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
  • 1997SEFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 1999Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
  • 1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1999BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1999Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1999Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2000British Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2001Empire Award-Best British Actress: nominated
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2001ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2001OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: winner
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2002Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2003DVDX Award-Best Supporting Actress in a DVD Premiere Movie: winner
  • 2005WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2006BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2006Camie-: winner
  • 2006ALFS Award-British Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2007EDA Female Focus Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated
  • 2007AFI Award-Best Lead Actress: nominated
  • 2007IF Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2008Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2009OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2010Golden Nymph-Television Films - Best Performance by an Actress: nominated
  • 2011Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2011Angel Film Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2011Audience Award-Best Foreign Actress (Melhor Atriz Estrangeira): winner
  • 2012Dagger-Best Leading Actress: nominated
  • 2014Dagger-Best Leading Actress: nominated
  • 2017Felix-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2017RTS North East & Border Television Award-Performance of the Year: winner
  • 2018BAA-Best Voice Performance: nominated
  • 2018TV Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2019TV Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2020TV Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2021Lifetime Achievement Award-: winner
  • 2022TV Times Award-Favourite Dramatic Performance: nominated
  • 2022TV Times Award-Favourite Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 2023National Television Award-Most Popular Drama Performance: nominated
  • 2023TV Choice Award-Best Actress: nominated
  • 2024National Television Award-Most Popular Drama Performance: nominated
  • 2024TV Times Award-Favourite Actor (Drama): nominated
  • 2025British Independent Film Award-Best Joint Lead Performance: nominated
  • 2025National Television Award-Drama Performance: nominated
  • 2025RTS North East & Border Television Award-Drama Performance: winner
  • 2025RTS North East & Border Television Award-Outstanding Contribution Award: winner
  • 2025TV Choice Award-Best Drama Performance: nominated
  • 2025Outstanding Contribution Award-: winner
  • 2025Best Performance-Best Performance in an International Narrative Feature: winner