Imelda Staunton photo

Imelda Staunton

Acting
1956-01-09
Archway, London, England, UK
Imelda Mary Philomena Bernadette Staunton (born January 9, 1956) is an English actress and singer. After training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Staunton began her career in repertory theatre in 1976 and appeared in various theatre productions in the United Kingdom.

Staunton has performed in a variety of plays and musicals in London throughout her career, winning four Laurence Olivier Awards; three for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her roles in the musicals Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, and Gypsy, and one for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Play for her work in both A Chorus of Disapproval and The Corn is Green. Her other stage appearances include The Beggar's Opera, The Wizard of Oz, Uncle Vanya, Guys and Dolls, Entertaining Mr Sloane, and Good People. She has been nominated for 13 Olivier Awards.

On film, Staunton starred in Antonia and Jane; in several supporting roles in Kenneth Branagh's comedy Peter's Friends, his adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing; Ang Lee's adaptation of Sense and Sensibility; and the costume romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love. She drew critical acclaim for her performance in the title role in Mike Leigh's Vera Drake, for which she won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and the Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup for Best Actress, in addition to being nominated for Best Actress by the Academy Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. She later gained a wider audience for her portrayal as Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films The Order of the Phoenix and The Deathly Hallows - Part 1. She continued supporting roles in Nanny McPhee, reunited with Leigh in Another Year, and the film continuation of Downton Abbey. She portrayed human rights activist Hefina Headon in the historical film Pride, and starred in the British comedy Finding Your Feet. She also provided voice acting roles for the films Chicken Run, Arthur Christmas, and Paddington.

On television, Staunton starred in the sitcoms Up the Garden Path and Is it Legal?. Her performance in My Family and Other Animals earned her a nomination for the International Emmy Award for Best Actress, while her roles in Return to Cranford and The Girl earned her BAFTA TV Award nominations for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. For the latter, she was also nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie. She portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in the final two seasons of The Crown.
Known For 128 titles
Jack and the Beanstalk (1999) subtitle poster
Jack and the Beanstalk
1999 Movie
as Dilly (voice)
Subtitles
The Far Traveller (2020) subtitle poster
The Far Traveller
2020 Movie
as Narrator
Subtitles
National Theatre Live: Mrs. Warren's Profession (2025) subtitle poster
National Theatre Live: Mrs. Warren's Profession
2025 Movie
as Mrs Peggy Warren
Subtitles
The Wind in the Willows (1995) subtitle poster
The Wind in the Willows
1995 Movie
as Mother Squirrel
Subtitles
Easy Money (1982) subtitle poster
Easy Money
1982 Movie
as Mary Price
Subtitles
They Never Slept (1991) subtitle poster
They Never Slept
1991 Movie
as The Producer
Subtitles
The Englishman's Wife (1990) subtitle poster
The Englishman's Wife
1990 Movie
as Stephanie
Subtitles
Where Have I Been All Your Life? (2007) subtitle poster
Where Have I Been All Your Life?
2007 Movie
as Angela
Subtitles
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