Julie Christie – 81, British India
Julie Christie, a Swinging Sixties star, was born in British India and raised in Europe before attending London’s Central School of Speech and Drama. Her education provided her with all the tools she required to succeed on the big screen. Nonetheless, her successful acting career has always relied on her inherent appeal rather than her professional competence. Christie, by the way, has a lot of it! She is best known for her roles in the award-winning films Doctor Zhivago and Darling, although she has also starred in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Company You Keep, and The Bookshop. In 2018, she announced her retirement from acting.
Julie Christie – 81, British India
Julie Andrews – 85, Surrey
Is it possible to discuss the history of cinema without discussing Dame Julie Andrews? She has been in the all-time classics The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, and she is still working in movies and giving back to her fans at the age of 85. She is the pride of Walton-on-Thames, a tiny market town in Surrey County. Andrews, who is currently working on the animated picture Minions: The Rise of Gru, portrays Lady Whistledown in the upcoming Netflix hit series Bridgerton. The BBC conducted a poll in 2002 to determine the 100 greatest Britons of all time. Andrews, a true national hero, was ranked 59!
Julie Andrews – 85, Surrey
Jane Asher – 75, Willesden
Jane Asher, who has been active since the early 1950s, rose to prominence as Sir Paul McCartney’s girlfriend/muse. But it doesn’t take a Beatle to recognize Asher as a star in her own right: she’s been in a slew of blockbusters over the years, including the horror classic The Masque of the Red Death, Alfie, and Death at a Funeral. Asher has appeared in a few short films and the 2015 TV series Eve in recent years. However, she is preparing to return to more major roles in two new films: the thriller Splinter and the comedy 3 of a Kind.
Jane Asher – 75, Willesden
Judi Dench – 86, Heworth
Another Dame to make the list, Judi Dench is a stage and screen star best recognized for her role as M in the James Bond film franchise. Dench, a seven-time Academy Award candidate, has received numerous honors during her career, including six British Academy Film Awards, four BAFTA TV Awards, and seven Olivier Awards. At the age of 86, the Heworth, York native has just landed a role in the 2021 comedy Off the Rails. Dench, who is quite active on social media (particularly TikTok), is widely regarded as one of Britain’s all-time best actress. Finty Williams, her daughter, has also worked as an actor.
Judi Dench – 86, Heworth
Helen Mirren – 76, London
Dame Helen Mirren is a London native who has appeared in films such as Gosford Park, The Queen, Hitchcock, and The Madness of King George. She is extremely flexible and has earned a name for herself in television and theater, earning the coveted Triple Crown of Acting (winning a Tony, an Emmy, and an Academy Award). Despite being the embodiment of conventional British elegance, Mirren is the descendant of an exiled Russian nobility, with her ancestors dating back to the legendary Russian field marshall Count Mikhail Kamensky. She will appear in the biopic/drama White Bird: A Wonder Story in 2022.
Helen Mirren – 76, London
Maggie Smith – 86, Ilford
Our list of British acting Dames would be incomplete without Maggie Smith, whose portrayal as Violet Crawley in Downton Abbey has won her (once again) the reputation of being one of the UK’s coolest screen/stage actresses. Smith, an exceptionally dynamic actress, has been active since 1952 and has appeared in over 80 shows. Younger audiences may remember her from the Harry Potter film series, where she played the fiery Professor Minerva McGonagall. She will resume her role as Violet Crawley in the recently announced Downton Abbey 2 film in 2022.
Maggie Smith – 86, Ilford
Vanessa Redgrave – 84, Blackheath
Vanessa Redgrave once dubbed the “greatest actress of our time,” was born in Blackheath, London, in 1937. Redgrave is not only a busy performer, but she is also an important activist who has publicly backed organizations such as the Workers Revolutionary Party, the Palestine Liberation Organization, and UNICEF. Redgrave has received multiple awards for her performance as the lead in Call the Midwife, whose tenth season began earlier this year. She’s also noted for her politically charged performances in The Palestinian, Playing for Time, and her directorial debut, Sea Sorrow.
Vanessa Redgrave – 84, Blackheath
Brenda Blethyn – 75, Ramsgate
Brenda Blethyn arrived late in life. She was an administrative professional before deciding to pursue acting in her late twenties. But that timely decision proved to be more than wise: Blethyn is now considered one of Britain’s most successful showbiz ladies, having appeared in over 80 productions. Blethyn made her feature film début in 1990, but she hasn’t stopped since. The Ramsgate, Kent, resident made it to Secrets & Lies, Pride & Prejudice, and Saving Grace. She has recently appeared in the crime series Kate & Koji and Vera, in which she plays a humorous investigator.
Brenda Blethyn – 75, Ramsgate
Eileen Atkins – 87, Clapton
Dame Eileen Atkins has not retired, however, she has not been on screen since the 2019 TV series Doc Martin. Atkins is well-known for her work on Broadway and with the Royal Shakespeare Company. She was one of the many high-profile cast members of the 2001 film Gosford Park. Atkins is one of those rare great actors who can perform as well in dramas as she does in comedies, and she has done so throughout her incredible 68-year career. In the successful juvenile film What a Girl Wants, she made us giggle, and in the historical drama Cold Mountain, she produced a believable portrayal.
EILEEN ATKINS – 87, CLAPTON
Charlotte Rampling – 75, Sturmer
Charlotte Rampling, a lovely Sturmer, Essex blue-eyed beauty, began as a model but quickly proved to be good enough to make it in both the big and small screens. She understands casting and has worked with directors such as Luchino Visconti, Liliana Cavani, François Ozon, and Lars von Trier. She turned 75 earlier in 2021, yet you’d never guess it just by looking at her! Rampling is presently working on four new films, including the highly anticipated science-fiction epic Dune, starring popular young stars Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
Charlotte Rampling – 75, Sturmer
Gemma Jones – 78, Marylebone
Gemma Jones has appeared in major film productions ranging from the Bridget Jones Diary films to the Harry Potter film series. She’s done it over 100 times in her 59-year career and has no intention of retiring anytime soon! Jones, 78, is as charming and as intelligent as ever, as evidenced in the 2021 mini-series Finding Alice. Jones was up surrounded by actors (her father and brother also performed) and attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art before making her film debut in 1964 with the family drama The Chimney Boy.
Gemma Jones – 78, Marylebone
Angela Lansbury – 95, London
That’s right; we’re not finished with the ladies yet! We couldn’t forget about Dame Angela Lansbury, a London resident who has been at it since 1943 and is still landing parts at the advanced age of 95! Her most recent appearance? The Adventures of Buddy Thunder, is a forthcoming family/drama film. Lansbury, a sensuous Golden Age Hollywood star, is now the seasoned grandmother of a family heavily immersed in show business and intellectual life. Lansbury, the daughter of a politician and an actress, has two producer brothers, three writer cousins, two activist aunts, and one actress niece.
Angela Lansbury – 95, London
Claire Bloom – 90, Finchley
Claire Bloom was forced to spend a year in America as a teenager to escape the horrors of the Blitz German bombing campaign. While in Florida, she worked as a performer for the British War Relief Society and began her career in the show business. She previously studied theatrical acting in London. Bloom has over 120 acting credits, including Limelight, Clash of the Titans, and The King’s Speech. She was most recently seen in Miss Dal and the miniseries Summer of Rockets. She turned 90 in February, but she’s not thinking about retiring: according to IMDb, she’s working on a new film called Sophie’s War.
Claire Bloom – 90, Finchley
Stephanie Beacham – 74, Barnet
Stephanie Beacham, a Barnet native, is another stunning actress who has performed in television, theater, film, and even radio! She is perhaps best remembered for her role in the film The Nightcomers (also featuring Marlon Brando), but she rose to prominence as a small-screen performer. She has appeared in Tenko on BBC, Connie on ITV, and Dynasty on ABC. She appeared as a retired lady in the TV series Boomers in 2014. However, the role did not motivate her to leave the entertainment industry. Instead, she’s been working harder than ever, and she’s got three new projects in the works, including the action-thriller Renegade, which stars Danny Trejo.
Stephanie Beacham – 74, Barnet
Jacqueline Bisset – 76, Weybridge
Jacqueline Bisset, a dedicated model, utilized her modeling earnings to pay for acting training. She was investing in herself, and she has certainly reaped the benefits! In the late 1960s, she was named the Golden Globe’s Most Promising Newcomer, and she swiftly established herself as a stunning and skilled film actress, landing roles in classics such as Airport and Murder on the Orient Express. Bisset, now 76, was most recently seen in the mystery film Blood Brothers. She had six marriages and six divorces with five different guys! She was awarded the French Legion of Honor in 2010, and former President Nicolas Sarkozy referred to her as “a movie icon.”
Jacqueline Bisset – 76, Weybridge
Petula Clark – 88, Ewell
Petula Clark hasn’t appeared on screen since the late 1980s, but that’s not surprising. The Ewell native had a three-decade successful career as an actress, but she is best renowned for her work as a singer/composer. She began as a child, working for BBC Radio during World War II. Her first big hit, “The Little Shoemaker,” was released in the mid-1950s. Clark became famous throughout Europe after topping the UK charts in French, German, Spanish, and Italian. During her apparently endless 82-year career, she is estimated to have sold 68 million recordings worldwide!
Petula Clark – 88, Ewell
Pauline Collins – 80, Exmouth
Pauline Collins is a BAFTA, Olivier, and Tony Award winner who is now working on the upcoming comedy film Byrd and the Bees. Shirley Valentine, a one-character drama in which she played a middle-aged, working-class lady from Liverpool who decides to alter her life after an inspired holiday in Greece, is still her most well-known work. Collins has worked widely with film and television productions, including the screen adaptation of Shirley Valentine and the drama City of Joy. Younger fans may recognize her from the 2015 television series Dickensian.
Pauline Collins – 80, Exmouth
Wendy Craig – 87, Sacriston
Wendy Craig was on Alan Titchmarsh’s talk show Love Your Weekend earlier in 2021 and was as beautiful as usual. Craig, an 87-year-old actress who excelled in sitcoms, has been active since 1955 and has always been known for her distinctively short haircut. Craig, a mother of two from Sacriston, Durham, had a hugely successful run in the 1960s and 1970s, appearing in three sitcoms in a row: Not in Front of the Children,… And Mother Has Three Children, and… Mother also makes five. Craig, like many of her contemporaries, received her training at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama.
Wendy Craig – 87, Sacriston
Anne Reid – 86, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Anne Reid, an English actress, knows how to pick’em: in the previous two decades, she’s acted in films such as The Mother, Inside No. 9, and Years and Years, a wonderful 2019 mini-series. She recently joined the cast of SAS: Red Notice, an action film based on the true life of a former British SAS member. Reid’s career is looking more promising than ever. Still, she’s no newcomer: she’s been working continuously since the late ’50s, and she’s achieved success across all platforms (from stage to big screen), appearing in shows as legendary as Coronation Street and Last Tango in Halifax.
Anne Reid – 86, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Anthony Hopkins – 83, Port Talbot
When you think Anthony Hopkins is ready to fade away, he shocks you with films like The Father, which earned him his second Academy Award for Best Actor. His superb performance in 2020 enabled him to become the oldest Best Actor Oscar winner ever: the icing on the cake of a stellar 61-year career. Hopkins has been regarded as one of the world’s most accomplished performers since his portrayal of the demented Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. He has something for everyone, from David Lynch’s The Elephant Man to HBO’s dystopian series Westworld.
Anthony Hopkins – 83, Port Talbot
Barbara Knox – 87, Oldham
If steady wins the race, Barbara Knox will be the indisputable champion. Knox, best known for her performance of Rita Tanner in Coronation Street, is an Oldham-born British soap opera legend who created one of the country’s most famous fictional characters. She played Tanner in a whopping 3,175 Coronation Street episodes (and counting). Knox’s soap opera adventure began in 1964 and continues to this day. She did leave the series after only one episode, but she never left again after returning in 1972. She’s also appeared in the TV show Funny You Should Say That, where she played a variety of characters.
Barbara Knox – 87, Oldham
Charles Dance – 74, Redditch
Is there a more versatile actor than Charles Dance? He’s narrated the documentary series Rise of Empires: Ottoman, as Lord Mountbatten in The Crown, and will appear in the upcoming action/adventure series The Sandman. Not bad for a young man from Redditch, Worcestershire, who lost his father when he was three years old! Dance’s amazing career is littered with triumphs. Nonetheless, he is likely most recognized for his depiction of the unyielding Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones, possibly the most popular television series of the previous two decades. He’s also appeared in a number of memorable films, including Gosford Park and The Imitation Game.
Charles Dance – 74, Redditch
Charles Shaughnessy – 66, London
Charles Shaughnessy, who was born into a show industry family, did not shy away from family matters. He began his career in 1983, with a role in the television series Jury. Later, he rose to prominence with his appearance in the 1990s blockbuster series The Nanny, and he went on to appear in Days of Our Lives, Stanley, Mad Men, and The Magicians. Speaking of magic, Shaughnessy is presently working on The Magic, a new romance film. Charles, a direct grandson of the 1st Baron Shaughnessy, has received three Soap Opera Digest Awards as well as the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program in 2002.
Charles Shaughnessy – 66, London
Christina Pickles – 86, Halifax
It’s hard to realize Christina Pickles, the woman who played Judy Geller on Friends, is already 86 years old! The Halifax native has managed to keep gorgeous and busy over the years, and we liked seeing her on the Friends: The Reunion TV special in 2021. Pickles’ career is diverse and extensive outside of Friends. She has appeared in nearly 90 films and television shows, including the films Masters of the Universe and Romeo + Juliet, as well as the series, Get Real, The Guiding Light, and Break a Hip. She was a star on the NBC medical drama series St. Elsewhere in the 1980s.
Christina Pickles – 86, Halifax
Derek Jacobi – 82, Leytonstone
Don’t ask us how, but British actor Derek Jacobi has managed to become a theater legend while also appearing in over 150 film projects. Jacobi, a renowned stage actor/director, is a bona fide William Shakespeare scholar, having starred in nearly all of the iconic writer’s finest plays, from Romeo and Juliet to the lesser-known Much Ado About Nothing. We most recently saw him in an Inside No. 9 episode and the documentary series The Lost Pirate Kingdom, both of which were released in 2021. He’s presently filming four new films, including the lockdown drama A Bird Flew In.
Derek Jacobi – 82, Leytonstone
Eileen Derbyshire – 89, Urmston
The British adore soap operas, and Eileen Derbyshire is possibly the greatest British soap star. The 89-year-old retired actress is the longest-serving female cast member in the history of British soap operas, and her one-of-a-kind career speaks for itself. Despite working as a TV actress from 1961 to 2019, Derbyshire only starred in two productions: a low-key 1969 TV movie and… Coronation Street! Derbyshire lost her longstanding companion Thomas W. Holt to Alzheimer’s illness earlier this year, and we hope she is finding comfort in the presence of her friends and family, including her famous son, sports journalist Oliver Holt.
Eileen Derbyshire – 89, Urmston
Glenda Jackson – 85, Birkenhead
Actors are well-liked, but it takes a rare talent to make it all the way to Parliament. Glenda Jackson decided to become a politician after winning two Academy Awards for Best Actress. Surprise, surprise, she was terrific at it! Between 1992 and 2015, she represented Hampstead and Kilburn in Parliament, and she even became Britain’s first Under-Secretary of State for Transport, working under former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Jackson has opted to return to the studio after leaving politics, and he just starred in the 2021 drama Mothering Sunday, starring the famous Olivia Colman and Colin Firth.
Glenda Jackson – 85, Birkenhead
Hugh Grant – 60, London
Hugh Grant, ever charming, personifies the English gentleman. He’s still the same smooth-speaking, awe-inspiring performer we’ve seen in Notting Hill, About a Boy, and Love Actually, despite his ungentlemanly background (he was once arrested for enjoying the company of a lady of the night). Grant, at the age of 60, still has several decades of performing ahead of him, much to the delight of every cinema fan. He was excellent in the 2020 miniseries The Undoing, in which he co-starred with Nicole Kidman, and he is presently working on a new Guy Ritchie film.
Hugh Grant – 60, London
Jeremy Irons – 72, Cowes
If you were born in the 1990s, you may be surprised to learn that Jeremy Irons is the guy behind Scar, The Lion King’s violent and ambitious villain. But that’s only one of a seemingly endless line of notable gigs for Irons. In addition, he has appeared in Dead Ringers, Lolita, and Justice League. Irons is a passionate activist and benevolent personality, as well as one of the few Triple Crown of Acting recipients. He is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, a patron of the Chiltern Shakespeare Company, and one of many celebrities who joined the No Cold Homes campaign in the United Kingdom in 2015.
Jeremy Irons – 72, Cowes
Jessica Benton – 72, Hampstead
Jessica Benton, the stunning former British actress, has been out of the spotlight for a time, but she will never be forgotten. She starred as Elizabeth Onedin in the BBC series The Onedin Line from 1971 to 1980 and has tragically never been on TV again. We last heard from her in 1993, when she was the topic of a brief Daily Mirror piece. The ever-discreet Hampstead native was residing in Dorset with her husband and daughter at the time. She was a pet enthusiast who supposedly had ten dogs and over a hundred chicks!
Jessica Benton – 72, Hampstead
Jim Broadbent – 72, Holton Cum Beckering
Jim Broadbent, the son of a furniture maker and a sculptress, is an actor/writer/producer who understands what it takes to develop a great character. Broadbent, regarded as one of England’s most versatile character performers, has acted in nearly 160 different projects since the early 1970s. It’s difficult to pick just a few of his many memorable roles, but we think he was fantastic in the Moulin Rouge musical, Margaret Thatcher drama The Iron Lady, and the Harry Potter film series. Broadbent will feature in Charlotte and A Boy Called Christmas in 2021.
Jim Broadbent – 72, Holton Cum Beckering
Julie Walters – 71, Edgbaston
The always-funny Dame Julie Walters has been hard at work as a host/narrator in the upcoming documentaries Scotland’s Coastal Railways with Julie Walters and Britain’s Busiest Airport: Heathrow. Nonetheless, she is best renowned for her work as an actress and comedian. Walters’ parents wanted her to be a nurse, but she chose show business instead, and she hasn’t looked back! Walters is a must-have name on any list of brilliant British performers, having appeared in films such as Billy Elliott, the Harry Potter films, Mamma Mia!, and Mary Poppins Returns.
Julie Walters – 71, Edgbaston
June Brown – 94, Needham Market
She enjoys smoking, is deeply religious, and never misses an opportunity to gossip. No, we’re not referring to the lovely June Brown, but rather her renowned EastEnders character. It’s easy to mix the two, especially since Brown has been playing the one-and-only Dot Cotton since the first episode of EastEnders aired in 1985. While many long-running British soap stars have a limited resume, Brown has been in numerous films and television shows before and after obtaining the role of Dot Cotton. The flamboyant horror-comedy Spidarlings, in which she played a fictionalized version of herself, is one of her most recent films.
June Brown – 94, Needham Market
Kevin Mcnally – 65, Bristol
We don’t know if English actor Kevin McNally spent much of his childhood at the Port of Bristol, but one thing is certain: when it comes to playing a pirate, he’s the safest bet. McNally isn’t a one-trick pony, but his career has been defined by his immensely popular part in the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise. He played Joshamee Gibbs, a character famed for his sideburns and friendship with Jack Sparrow. However, Gibbs is only one of McNally’s 150+ acting jobs. He’s also appeared in The Crown, Catherine the Great, and You Really Got Me in recent years.
Kevin Mcnally – 65, Bristol
Leonard Whiting – 71, London
It’s a lovely story: in 1968, the hot Leonard Whiting and the lovely Olivia Hussey played Romeo and Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli’s film adaption of the same name. Many decades later, in 2015, the two reunited to play a married couple in the drama Social Suicide. It happened to be Whiting’s final acting role. Whiting, who has been retired since his surprise 2015 return, won a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year for his Romeo and Juliet performance. Later in his career, he participated in a few of hot Italian films and was cast in the animated series The Dreamstone.
Leonard Whiting – 71, London
Liam Neeson – 69, Ballymena
Liam Neeson is perhaps Northern Ireland’s most famous actor and one of Hollywood’s highest-rated action actors right now (despite his 69th birthday). While many expected Neeson’s career to peak with the brilliant Schindler’s List, he stunned everyone by helping to transform the Taken film series into a worldwide box-office hit. While the concept of Taken may sound familiar (a retired CIA agent attempting to save his daughter), Neeson’s unique take on the role was virtually universally applauded. Neeson has appeared in two more action films in 2021: The Marksman and The Ice Road.
Liam Neeson – 69, Ballymena
Malcolm Mcdowell – 78, Horsforth
Malcolm McDowell was destined to play the insane Alex DeLarge in Stanley Kubrick’s masterwork A Clockwork Orange. He was a young actor when he was cast in one of cinema’s all-time classics, but he never buckled under the burden of his early-career success. McDowell, who is always looking for new intriguing assignments, has appeared in Star Trek Generations, the Halloween and Halloween II horror remakes, Mozart in the Jungle, and Easy A. McDowell, who is still working at the age of 78, has most recently appeared in the anime series Castlevania and the drama Just Noise.
Malcolm Mcdowell – 78, Horsforth
Michael Caine – 88, Rotherhithe
Best Sellers, Sir Michael Caine’s next film, seems promising: he portrays a cantankerous writer who agrees to embark on a book tour to aid a young publisher. But that’s Caine for you: even though he’s been working since 1953 and has been in over 170 acting titles, seeing him in a movie or TV series is still fascinating. Caine is still as charming and accomplished at the age of 88. His long career in show business has been filled with memorable roles, but he’s most remembered for his work in Alfie, The Cider House Rules, The Quiet American, and The Dark Knight.
MICHAEL CAINE – 88, ROTHERHITHE
Miranda Richardson – 63, Southport
Miranda Richardson is a well-known English actress who has acted in films such as The Hours, Spider, and The Crying Game. She has been nominated for seven BAFTA Awards. She also participated in the 1992 film Enchanted April, alongside Jim Broadbent and Alfred Molina. Richardson is a World Wildlife Fund ambassador and a West End performer who has been nominated for an Olivier Award. She attended Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, where she met famed method actor Daniel Day-Lewis. Not bad for a Southport girl who used to spend hours at her local cinema watching matinees of western movies!
Miranda Richardson – 63, Southport
Pam St Clement – 79, Harrow On The Hill
Pam St Clement hasn’t been seen in quite some time. The 79-year-old British actress hasn’t appeared on film since a few episodes of Casualty in 2017. St Clement, on the other hand, is a veritable small-screen star, best known for her recurring role as Pat Butcher in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Between 1986 and 2012, she featured in nearly 2,500 EastEnders episodes, and she still made two special cameos in 2016. EastEnders is by far her professional highlight, although St Clement worked hard before landing a role on the serial. Emmerdale Farm, A Horseman Riding By, and Play for Today are just a few of her earlier performances.
Pam St Clement – 79, Harrow on the Hill
Patrick Stewart – 81, Mirfield
Younger audiences will recognize Sir Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Xavier from the X-Men films. But, before becoming Hollywood’s favorite bald man, Stewart honed his skill by performing in West End productions and collaborating with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In the 1980s, he made the transition from stage to screen, and he did so with a bang: he landed his most well-known role in Star Trek: The Next Generation, as the dynamic Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Surprisingly, Stewart is currently repeating the character in the TV series Star Trek: Picard, which will return for a second season in 2022. Queen Elizabeth II knighted him in 2010.
Patrick Stewart – 81, Mirfield
Peter Dean – 82, Hoxton
Peter Dean, who was born and bred in London, chose to pursue acting training after being caught practicing Shakespeare at Petticoat Lane Market when he was just 16 years old. The one-and-only Prunella Scales (from Fawlty Towers) recommended him to pursue an acting career, which he did with great success. Dean has been absent from the screen since 2016, but he is rumored to be working on a new film called Freedom Dance. Dean will be remembered for his role as Pete Beale in the EastEnders soap opera, despite appearing in over 40 projects. In addition, he has appeared in Woodentop and Coronation Street.
Peter Dean – 82, Hoxton
Robert Carlyle – 60, Maryhill
Although Glasgow may not generate as many outstanding performers as London, every Scottish cinema enthusiast can be proud of Robert Carlyle. Carlyle, who was born in Maryhill, a historic Glasgow burgh, has had a long career in movies and television, most notably in the cult classic Trainspotting and the 1999 James Bond blockbuster The World Is Not Enough. Carlyle recently reprised his role as Begbie in the highly anticipated 2017 sequel T2 Trainspotting. He’s been busy since 2020, playing Prime Minister Robert Sutherland in Cobra, a new Sky Original action-drama series.
Robert Carlyle – 60, Maryhill
Rowan Atkinson – 66, Consett
Few programmes in television history have been enjoyed equally by toddlers and adults. Mr Bean’s humorous works, on the other hand, will make any grandma laugh as hard as a child. Atkinson, a comedic genius, took “goofing around” to a whole new level, transforming his pantomime-like gags into works of art. While Mr. Bean is still alive today (a new TV series is in the works), Atkinson has opted to retire from the role in 2012, not long after making an appearance at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics. If that doesn’t express it all, we’ll try: Mr Bean, like fish and chips, is a British cultural icon!
Rowan Atkinson – 66, Consett
Sally Ann Howes – 91, St. John’s Wood
The always lovely Sally Ann Howes is the late comedian Bobby Howes’ daughter and actress/singer Patricia Malone’s daughter. Unsurprisingly, she chose to follow in her parents’ footsteps and build a name for herself in the entertainment industry. She rose to prominence in the 1940s, appearing in films such as Dead of Night and The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. She later appeared in the blockbuster 1968 musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Howes hasn’t been seen on screen since 1992, when she participated in the mini-series Secrets. She achieved considerable success as a film star, but she also worked extensively in the West End and on Broadway, earning British-American citizenship.
Sally Ann Howes – 91, St. John’s Wood
Sarah Lancashire – 56, Oldham
Sarah Lancashire, the star of Last Tango in Halifax, is one of the youngest actresses on our list, but she still has decades of performing ahead of her. Lancashire, a former drama teacher at the University of Salford, has continually demonstrated that she is also a committed student of the performing arts. She spent years on Coronation Street before getting roles in Happy Valley, School of Roars, and MotherFatherSon. Her outstanding acting career was most likely inspired by her father, famed British scriptwriter Geoffrey Lancashire. Julia, a new television series, will premiere in 2022.
Sarah Lancashire – 56, Oldham
Sean Bean – 62, Sheffield
Sean Bean, Sheffield’s pride, was fortunate to appear in both The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, perhaps two of the most acclaimed productions of the last 25 years. Needless to say, he’s a movie fan favorite, as well as an Internet meme sensation: people love to mock his “ability” to die on film! Bean has over 110 acting credits, most notably appearing in Snowpiercer, Time, and Hitman 3. (a popular videogame). There isn’t enough space to include all of his major film appearances, so here are a few: Patriot Games, GoldenEye, National Treasure, The Island, and The Martian are few examples.
Sean Bean – 62, Sheffield
Alfred Molina – 68, Paddington
Alfred Molina, the son of a Spanish immigrant and an Italian immigrant seeking a better life in postwar Britain, dreamed of becoming an actor when he was nine years old. The little boy’s desire was improbable, but Molina worked hard to get to where he is now and to make his previous self proud. Molina was cast in Boogie Nights and Magnolia after gaining numerous big parts in the West End and on Broadway. Later, in Frida, he played Mexican painter Diego Rivera, and in Spider-Man 2, he played the supervillain Dr Octopus. He appeared in Solar Opposites and Monsters at Work in 2021.
Alfred Molina – 68, Paddington
Sheila Hancock – 88, Blackgang
Dame Sheila Hancock will be 88 years old in 2021, but she has the creativity and enthusiasm of a much younger lady. She appeared in the new seasons of A Discovery of Witches and Unforgotten just this year. Hancock, who was raised in a “lower-middle-class” family, understands the value of hard effort and has been in over 110 acting projects. She also succeeded as a theater actor, earning a Tony Award nomination and an Olivier Award. Over the years, she has appeared in numerous notable productions, including Annie, Sweeney Todd, The Winter’s Tale, Cabaret, and Sister Act.
Sheila Hancock – 88, Blackgang
Ben Kingsley – 77, Snainton
Sir Ben Kingsley, born Krishna Pandit Bhanji, is without a doubt one of the most versatile performers working today. It’s difficult to imagine two historical figures more dissimilar than the pacifist Mahatma Gandhi and the colorful painter Salvador Dal. However, guess what? Kingsley is capable of playing both roles! Kingsley earned an Academy Award for his performance as Gandhi in an epic early-’80s biopic, and we believe he can do it again with his new film, Dali Land, which is now in post-production. While we wait for Kingsley to be recognized as one of the most charismatic artists of all time, we may watch him in Schindler’s List, Shutter Island, or Hugo.
Ben Kingsley – 77, Snainton
Joanna Lumley – 75, Srinagar
With her striking beauty, it’s no surprise that Joanna Lumley began her career as a model during the Swinging Sixties. She dabbled in acting, but her big break came when she was cast as Purdey in the 1970s show The New Avengers out of 800 auditionees. While captivating spectators, she also established herself as an important figure, with her hairstyle, called the Purdey bob, becoming a worldwide craze. Lumley, at 75, has successfully maintained her place in the industry, having recently starred in The Picture of Dorian Gray and is now filming The Inn at the Edge of the World.
Joanna Lumley – 75, Srinagar
Leslie Phillips – 97, Tottenham
Leslie Phillips fans will be pleased to learn that the talented English actor will star in a new mystery film named Darkheart Manor. After all, he hasn’t been on screen since deciding to retire in 2012, effectively ending his 78-year career. Phillips’ best performances are in the films Doctor in the House and Carry On. He also hosted The Navy Lark, a popular radio comedy show. Younger audiences will recall his voice as the Sorting Hat from the Harry Potter film series.
Leslie Phillips – 97, tottenham
Julie Goodyear – 79, United Kingdom
“Coronation Street” wouldn’t be the same without the equally great Julie Goodyear as the scene-stealing Bet Lynch. After all, she’s been portraying this tough character since the first episode of ITV’s longest-running serial drama aired in 1966. Goodyear appeared in nine episodes of The Cobbles before being requested to return as a regular in 1970, only quitting in 1995 when it was revealed that she had cervical cancer. The “Celebrity Big Brother” housemate from 2012 married her husband Scott Brand in 2007 and has three grandchildren who provide her great delight.
Julie Goodyear – 79, United Kingdom
Paul Hogan, 81, Born In 1939 – Crocodile Dundee
He was born Paul Hogan, but he is best known as Michael Dundee, or Crocodile Dundee from the films of the same name. In fact, if you describe him by his given name to a buddy, they could think you’re referring to a wrestler. It’s easy to see why he’s most known for that role. The first picture was a commercial and critical success, winning him a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination. There were two sequels, neither of which were as popular, and he attempted to move away from the role with films such as “Flipper” and “Charlie & Boots.” In the 2020 film “The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee,” he reprised his role as Michael Dundee.
Paul Hogan, 81, Born In 1939 – Crocodile Dundee
John Cleese – 81, Weston-Super-Mare
When John Cleese was a boy, he was bullied because of his height, but he learned how to retaliate by using humor. Even though he excelled in sports while studying, this began his lifetime of passion to make people laugh. Cleese has been in show business for over five decades and doesn’t seem to know when to stop. In 2021, he was chosen to anchor “Cancel Me,” a show that focuses on celebrities who were publicly “canceled” due to questionable utterances. Surprisingly, the format will be very different from his previous work on “Monty Python” and “Fawlty Towers.”
John Cleese – 81, Weston-Super-Mare
Trevor Mcdonald – 82, San Fernando, Trinidad And Tobago
Trevor McDonald, a Trinidad and Tobago native, is best renowned for his journalistic abilities as the host of ITN’s “News at Ten.” Nonetheless, he made news in September 2020 after divorcing his wife for nearly three decades. He was also known as the host of “Tonight with Trevor McDonald” on ITV. McDonald proclaimed his retirement in 2005, but then returned to the stage. Three years later, he announced his retirement from show business but continued to broadcast documentaries such as “To Catch a Serial Killer.”
Trevor Mcdonald – 82, San Fernando, Trinidad And Tobago
Kay Parker – 77, Birmingham
Kay Parker was born in Birmingham and came to the United States when she was 21 years old when she discovered her passion for acting. She was persuaded to try her hand at adult entertainment in the 1970s, and although being older than most stars in that profession, she was quite successful and was regularly featured as a leading lady. In the following decade, she left the profession to work as a public relations representative. Parker’s book provided her followers with an in-depth look at her life. She is now a metaphysical counselor and has a YouTube channel where she answers inquiries from her fans.
Kay Parker – 77, Birmingham