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Brenda Blethyn Biography

Birth Name:
Brenda Anne Bottle
Birth Place:
Ramsgate, Kent, England
Profession
Actor

Fast Facts

  • Is the youngest of nine children
  • Born with an extra finger on her left hand, which was removed shortly after her birth
  • Worked for 10 years in an administrative career before enrolling in the Guildford School of Acting
  • Made her first American theater appearance in the 1991 off-Broadway production of Absent Friends, for which she earned the Theater World Award for Outstanding New Talent
  • Made her film debut in 1990's The Witches
  • Participated in the 2002 London Marathon
  • Was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003

Awards

  • 2007Australian Film Institute Awards-Best Lead Actress: nominated
  • 2006BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2001Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
  • 1999BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1999Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1998Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 1998Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1998Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 1997BAFTA Film Awards-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
  • 1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
  • 1996Screen Actors Guild Awards-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1996Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 1996Los Angeles Film Critics Association-Best Actress: winner
  • 1996National Society of Film Critics-Best Actress - Runner-up: winner
  • 1996Cannes Film Festival-Best Actress: winner

Relationships

  • Bernard Bottle -- Brother
  • Bill Bottle -- Brother
  • Brian Bottle -- Brother
  • Martin Bottle -- Brother
  • Ted Bottle -- Brother
  • Terry Bottle -- Brother
  • Alan Blethyn -- Ex-husband
  • William Bottle -- Father
  • Louisa Bottle -- Mother
  • Michael Mayhew -- Significant Other
  • Jeannie -- Sister
  • Pam -- Sister