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Helen Mirren Biography

Birth Name:Ilyena Lydia Mironoff

Birth Place:Chiswick, England, United Kingdom

Profession Actress, Producer

Fast Facts

After initial reservations about the honor, she was presented with the title Dame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (DBE) on December 5, 2003, by then Prince Charles
Presented the 2,488th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in January 2013
Attended the New College of Speech and Drama in London
Got married to film director Taylor Hackford in 1994
Born to Basil, a viola player for the London Philharmonic and taxi cab driver, and Kathleen, the daughter of the butcher who served Queen Victoria
Granddaughter to a member of the Imperial Russian Army who fought in the Russo-Japanese War in 1904, Colonel Pyotr Mironov, who later became a diplomat that negotiated an arms deal in Britain
Began stage work at an early age with the National Youth Theatre, which eventually led to her being hired with the Royal Shakespeare Company in England
Made her Broadway debut in 1994 with her role in "A Month in the Country" by Ivan Turgenev as Natalya Petrovna
Quote: "Being me right now is sort of amazing․"
Quote: "The trick in life is learning how to deal with it․"
During her career, she has portrayed both Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II
Acquired a symbolic Native American tattoo at a reservation in Minnesota meaning "equal but opposite․"
Argued before a censor board to try to avoid having "The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover" recieve an X rating, but ultimately failed in her endeavor
Wrote her autobiography in 2007, "In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures․"
Despite her Russian heritage, she is only fluent in English and French

Awards

1982Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
1984Best Actress-: winner
1985BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
1985Evening Standard British Film Award-Best Actress: winner
1992BAFTA TV Award-Best Actress: winner
1992Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actress: winner
1992RTS Television Award-Best Actor - Female: winner
1994CableACE-Actress in a Dramatic Series: nominated
1995Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
1995Best Actress-: winner
1996BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1996ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
1997CableACE-Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2000Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2000Teen Choice Award-Film - Choice Sleazebag: nominated
2001ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2001ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2001LAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2001NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
2001NYFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2002Oscar-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2002BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2002CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2002Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
2002EFA People's Choice Award-Best European Actress: nominated
2002FFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2002ALFS Award-British Supporting Actress of the Year: winner
2002NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
2002OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2002OFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2002OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2002PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2002Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2002Special Achievement Award-Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble: winner
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2003Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2003Empire Award-Best British Actress: nominated
2003European Film Award-European Actress: nominated
2003Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2003OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2003OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2004Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2004Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2004Empire Award-Best British Actress: nominated
2004Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2004Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2004ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2004Golden Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: nominated
2005Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: nominated
2006AAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2006EDA Award-Best Actress in a Dramatic Performance: winner
2006ACCA-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
2006BSFC Award-Best Actress: winner
2006British Independent Film Award-Best Actress: nominated
2006Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Actress: nominated
2006CFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2006DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2006DFCC-Best Actress: nominated
2006FFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2006Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actress: winner
2006Golden Schmoes-Best Actress of the Year: nominated
2006ICP Award-Best Lead Performance: winner
2006KCFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2006Sierra Award-Best Actress: winner
2006LAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2006Golden Nymph-Mini-Series - Best Performance by an Actress: winner
2006NBR Award-Best Actress: winner
2006NYFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2006NYFCO Award-Best Actress: winner
2006OFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2006OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2006PFCS Award-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
2006SDFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
2006SFFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2006Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: winner
2006Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2006SEFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2006SLFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2006Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Couple: nominated
2006TFCA Award-Best Performance, Female: winner
2006UFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2006Volpi Cup-Best Actress: winner
2006VVFP Award-Best Actress: winner
2006WAFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2006WFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2006WIN Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Feature Film: winner
2006WIN Award-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: winner
2007Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: winner
2007Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: winner
2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: winner
2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: winner
2007BAFTA Film Award-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
2007COFCA Award-Best Actress: winner
2007Critics Choice Award-Best Actress: winner
2007Empire Award-Best Actress: nominated
2007European Film Award-European Actress: winner
2007Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress: winner
2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
2007Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
2007ICS Award-Best Actress: winner
2007INOCA-Best Actress: winner
2007IFC Award-Best Actress: winner
2007Audience Award-Best International Actress: winner
2007IOMA-Best Actress (Miglior attrice protagonista): winner
2007ALFS Award-Actress of the Year: nominated
2007ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: winner
2007NSFC Award-Best Actress: winner
2007OFTA Film Award-Best Actress: winner
2007OFCS Award-Best Actress: winner
2007RAFA-Best Actress: winner
2007Outstanding Performer of the Year Award-: winner
2007VFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
2009Best Actress-: winner
2010Felix-Best Actress: winner
2010Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: winner
2010Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: nominated
2010Oscar-Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2010Independent Spirit Award-Best Female Lead: nominated
2010Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actress of the Decade: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actress of the Decade: nominated
2010Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2010IOFCP Award-Best Actress of the Decade: nominated
2010ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
2010Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2010Courage in Acting Award-: winner
2011Movies for Grownups Award-Breakthrough Achievement: winner
2011Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2011EDA Female Focus Award-Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in the Film Industry: nominated
2011EDA Female Focus Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: winner
2011EDA Female Focus Award-Women's Image Award: nominated
2011EDA Female Focus Award-Best Female Action Star: nominated
2011Scream Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2012Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2012EDA Female Focus Award-Kick Ass Award for Best Female Action Star: nominated
2012EDA Female Focus Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: winner
2012DFWFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2012Prism Award-Performance in a Feature Film: nominated
2012SLFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2012WAFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2012Invisible Woman Award-: winner
2013Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: winner
2013Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013Saturn Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2013EDA Female Focus Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated
2013BAFTA Film Award-Best Leading Actress: nominated
2013COFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actress: nominated
2013Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
2013ALFS Award-British Actress of the Year: nominated
2013NCFCA Award-Best Actress: nominated
2013OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2013WFCC Award-Best Theatrically Unreleased Movie by or About Women: winner
2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: winner
2014BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
2014BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Female Vocal Performance in a Feature Film in a Supporting Role: winner
2014Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2014Jupiter Award-Best International Actress: nominated
2014OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2014Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2014WFCC Award-Best Comedic Actress: nominated
2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
2015PFCS Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2015SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2015SFFCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2015WFCC Award-Worst Female Images in a Movie: nominated
2016Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2016Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2016Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
2016Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2016Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2016Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2016Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2016Jupiter Award-Best International Actress: nominated
2016NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2016PCC Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2017Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2017EDA Special Mention Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated
2017Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2018Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy: nominated
2018WIN Award-Outstanding Actress Feature Film: nominated
2019Razzie Award-Worst Actress: nominated
2019Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama: nominated
2019Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Miniseries & Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2020Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2020EDA Special Mention Award-Actress Defying Age and Ageism: nominated
2020Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actress in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2020OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: nominated
2020Parajanov-Vartanov Institute Award-: winner
2022Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2022Emmy-Outstanding Host: winner
2023CCA Super Award-Best Actress in an Action Series, Limited Series or Made-for-TV Movie: winner
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, Limited or Anthology Series: nominated
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Actress in a Drama Series: nominated
2023WFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
2023WIN Award-Actress Drama Series: nominated
2024AACTA International Award-Best Actress in a Series: nominated
2024Movies for Grownups Award-Best Actress: nominated
2024Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2024EDA Special Mention Award-Grand Dame for Defying Ageism: nominated
2024Astra TV Award-Best Actress in a Streaming Drama Series: nominated
2024Windie-Sight Unseen Performance: nominated
2024Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2024Golden Globe-Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
2024OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: nominated
2024Razzie Award-Worst Actress: nominated
2024Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Drama or Genre: winner
2026Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2026Girls on Film Award-Ensemble Cast Award: nominated
2026Golden Globe-Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
2026Satellite Award-Best Actress in a Series, Drama or Genre: nominated