Imelda Staunton

In 1999 Imelda won a SAG award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture for Shakespeare In Love. In 2005 she was nominated for a SAG award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for Vera Drake.

In May 2005, she appeared on the cult Radio Four show 'Desert Island Disks.' Some of the records she chose were by Elvis, Donnie Lonagon, Edith Piaf and Bette Midler.

She married actor Jim Carter in 1985.

Her mother was a hairdresser.

Imelda was nominated for a Golden Globe Award, in the category of Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, in 2005 for her portrayal of Vera Drake.

She appeared in Emma Thompson's critically panned 1988 comedy show 'Thompson.'

Imelda provided the voice of Bunty in the 2000 Nick Park animation 'Chicken Run.'

In the 2005 Christmas edition of the British comedy Little Britain, Imelda appeared as caustic, no nonsense carer Mrs. Mead to Matt Lucas' 'paraplegic' Andy.

She played the Nurse in 'Shakespeare In Love', the 1998 smash hit film adaptation of Tom Stoppard's play starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Joseph Fiennes. Her husband, Jim Carter, also appears in the film.

In Emma Thompson's adaptation of Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility, Imelda played talkative Charlotte Palmer. Her husband was played by Hugh Laurie (House). They also played husband and wife when they appeared together in Kenneth Branagh's 'Peter's Friends.'

In the 2006 Honours List, Imelda was awarded an O.B.E. (Order of the British Empire.)

Her daughter is called Bessie. She was born in 1993.

Imelda played Nurse White in the 1986 award winning adaptation of Dennis Potter's novel 'The Singing Detective.' Her husband, Jim Carter, also appeared in the series.

In 2005, Imelda played Mother in a BBC adaptation of conservationist Gerald Durrell's autobiography 'My Family And Other Animals.'

She played grieving mother and jingle writer Mary in Kenneth Branagh's 1993 film 'Peter's Friends.' Her co-stars included Emma Thompson, Hugh Laurie, Stephen Fry and Rita Rudner.

In 1991, she won a Laurence Olivier Best Actress Award for Best Actress in A Musical for her performance in 'Into The Woods.'

Imelda won a Best Supporting Actress Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in a stage production of 'The Corn is Green.'

She won a Best Actress award in 2005 at the Venice Film Festival for her performance as Vera Drake.

Imelda played Mary, the lusty maid in Kenneth Branagh's 1993 adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing.' Her co-stars included, Keanu Reeves, Denzel Washington and Emma Thompson.

In 2005, Imelda appeared in Emma Thompson's film 'Nanny McPhee.' She played a disgruntled cook, Mrs. Blatherwick.

Imelda trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She studies alongside Alan Rickman, Juliet Stephenson and Timothy Spall.

In 2004, Imelda starred in the title role of Mike Leigh's controversial film 'Vera Drake.' She was nominated for a Best Actress Oscar for her performance as the 1950's illegal abortionist.