Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren DBE (born Helen Lydia Mironoff), is an English actor born on the 26th of July, 1945, in the city of London, England. Mirren's illustrious career, spanning over six decades, has established her as one of the most acclaimed actors, winning multiple accolades including an Academy Award, four BAFTA Awards, five Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, an Olivier Award and a Tony Award. Mirren's acting career commenced at the mere age of 18 with the National Youth Theater and she has since played a variety of roles in world-renowned productions and blockbuster films, such as The Queen, Caligula, The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover, The Tempest, and Hitchcock. The actor’s television career highlights include playing DCI Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect (1991–2006), which earned her multiple accolades. Despite being born in London to an English mother and Russian father, Mirren identifies as 'very anti-monarchist'. Mirren went on to marry American director Taylor Hackford, with whom she had no children.

Mirren's acting range is vast, from Egyptian queens to British royalty, and she is particularly known for her recurrent portrayals of British queens in various films and television series. Initially starting her acting career on stage with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Mirren transitioned to film and television becoming a renowned global figure. She has featured in celebrated television series, acclaimed films and stage productions. The actor has portrayed three queens on screen, an achievement no other actress in history has managed. In 2003, Mirren was made a Dame (DBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to drama. Apart from acting, Mirren has also published an autobiographical book titled In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures.