Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Oldie But A Goodie

Helen Mirren is one of my favorite actors, ever since I saw her as the flawed but brilliant Detective Superintendent Jane Tennison in one of the Prime Suspect series. Born Ilyena Vasilievna Mironov in West London, Mirren was already an accomplished stage actor and a household name in Britain before most Americans were introduced to her as the long-suffering housekeeper Mrs. Wilson in Robert Altman's whodunit Gosford Park.

Mirren as Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect


Gosford Park (incidentally one of my favorite films ever) garnered her a Best Supporting Actress nomination, one of a veritable slew of accolades which include 4 SAG Awards, 4 BAFTAs, 4 Golden Globes, 4 Emmys, culminating in the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in The Queen.


As housekeeper Mrs. Wilson in Gosford Park.


From housekeeper to Queen.

At the end of a triumphant year of awards, Helen also collected a 2007 Emmy Television award as Best Actress in a Mini-Series for her performance as alcoholic Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect: The Final Act.

I love her sense of style, the gown that she wore to the 2008 Oscars suited her perfectly, it wasn't flashy or revealing, in fact she looked regal.


"Knighting" Daniel Day-Lewis with his Best Actor Oscar.

Little-known fact: The Mars Volta have a song called "Ilyena" that is named after Mirren. Mars Volta singer/lyricist Cedric Bixler has stated an affinity for the actor.




In December 2003 she was invested as a Dame Commander of the British Empire. Her autobiography was published in 2007 titled "In The Frame: My Life In Words And Pictures".

Sources:

wikipedia.com
helenmirren.com
exposay.com
sexualityinart.wordpress.com

6 cheer(s)!:

Unknown said...

Helen Mirren is one of my aging idols too. She has aged so gracefully and beautifully...she doesn't fight the aging process, but still looks better at red carpet events than women half her age.

Bex said...

Agreed, and I respect her so much!! Actors like her, Judi Dench and Maggie Smith could show these younger actors a thing or two about ageing gracefully!!

Times of Glory said...

She is so good! Helen Mirren is always elegant and fun! She is like red wine, becoming maturer and maturer, never aging!

Bex said...

Well said, Times of Glory!

Fashion Is Poison said...

i enjoyed watching the queen so much. she's an amazing actress.

Bex said...

Have you seen Gosford Oark? Brilliant movie!! And the fact that Clive Owen's in it doesn't hurt either hahaha!!