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Eileen Atkins Biography

Birth Name:Eileen June Atkins

Birth Place:Clapton, London, England

Profession Actress, Writer

Fast Facts

  • In 2001, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire
  • Received the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Actress in 2004 for her performance in the stage play "Honour․"
  • Studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
  • Is a survivor of breast cancer after being diagnosed with the disease in 1995
  • Worked as a dancer at the London Stage Door canteen for American troops during World War II
  • Is primarily known for taking on the role of aristocratic characters
  • In order to become an actress, she was forced to take speech lessons for two years after she was told that she had a Cockney accent

Awards

  • 1985BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 1999Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Screenplay: winner
  • 2001ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
  • 2002Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
  • 2002FFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2002OFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2002PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2002Special Achievement Award-Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble: winner
  • 2003ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2004Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2005ALFS Award-British Supporting Actress of the Year: nominated
  • 2008BAFTA TV Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2008Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actress: winner
  • 2008OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
  • 2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actress of the Decade: nominated
  • 2011OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
  • 2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or Movie: nominated
  • 2019EDA Special Mention Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated