Miriam Margolyes

Miriam Margolyes

Born: May 18, 1941
Age: 82
Birthplace: Oxford, Oxfordshire, England
Popularity:
Please login to contact Miriam Margolyes...
Email:
Password:
Don't have an account yet?  Join FanPal.com Today!
Biography

Miriam Margolyes, OBE (/ˈmɑːrɡəliːz/; born 18 May 1941) is an English-born Australian character actress and voice artist. Her earliest roles were in theatre and after several supporting roles in film and television she won a BAFTA Award for her role in The Age of Innocence (1993) and went on to take the role of Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film series.

For many years she has divided her time between Britain and Australia, and she has starred in television shows in both countries, including the Australian premiere of the 2013 play I'll Eat You Last.

Read more...

Early life

Margolyes was born in Oxford, England, the only child of Ruth (née Walters; 1905-1974), a property investor and developer, and Joseph Margolyes (1899-1996), a physician from Glasgow. She grew up in a Jewish family; her ancestors migrated to the UK from Poland and Belarus. Her great-grandfather, Symeon Sandmann, was born in the town of Margonin in central-western Poland, which Margolyes visited in 2013.

She attended Oxford High School from 1955 until 1959, and later Newnham College, Cambridge, where she read English. There, in her twenties, she began acting and appeared in productions by the Cambridge Footlights comedy troupe.

Acting career

With her distinctive voice, Margolyes first gained recognition for her work as a voice artist. She recorded a soft-porn audio called Sexy Sonia: Leaves from my Schoolgirl Notebook. She performed most of the supporting female characters in the dubbed Japanese action TV series Monkey. She also worked with the theatre company Gay Sweatshop and provided voiceovers in the Japanese TV series The Water Margin (credited as Mirium Margolyes).

Margolyes' first major role in a film was as Elephant Ethel in Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers (1977). In the 1980s, she made appearances in Blackadder opposite Rowan Atkinson: these roles include the Spanish Infanta in The Black Adder, Lady Whiteadder in Blackadder II and Queen Victoria in Blackadder's Christmas Carol. In 1986 she played a major supporting role in the BBC drama The Life and Loves of a She-Devil. She won the 1989 LA Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Flora Finching in the 1988 film Little Dorrit. On American television, she headlined the short-lived 1992 CBS sitcom Frannie's Turn. In 1994 she won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mrs Mingott in Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence (1993).

Margolyes came to the notice of younger audiences when she starred as Aunt Sponge in James and the Giant Peach (1996); she also provided the voice of the Glowworm in the same film. During the same time she played the Nurse in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet (1996). Around this time, she voiced the rabbit character in the animated commercials for Cadbury's Caramel bars and provided the voice of Fly the dog in the Australian-American family film Babe (1995).

She played Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2002.

She was one of the original cast of the London production of the musical Wicked in 2006, playing Madame Morrible opposite Idina Menzel, a role she also played on Broadway in 2008.

In 2009, she appeared in a new production of Endgame by Samuel Beckett at the Duchess Theatre in London's West End.

Margolyes, role the voiced of Mrs. Plithiver, a blind snake in 3D-animated-epic film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole in 2010.

Margolyes reprised her role as Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 in 2011.

In 2014 she voiced Nana in the Disney Junior animated series for preschoolers Nina Needs to Go!

In January 2016 she appears in The Real Marigold Hotel, a travel documentary series which "takes an all-star cast on the journey of a lifetime."

Other work

Margolyes is a supporter of Sense (the National Deafblind and Rubella Association) and was the host at the first Sense Creative Writing Awards, held at the Charles Dickens Museum in London in December 2006, where she read a number of works written by talented deafblind people.

In 2011, Margolyes recorded a narrative for the album The Devil's Brides by klezmer musician-ethnographer Yale Strom.

It was announced in January 2014 that Margolyes was to record the narration for "Magic in the Skies" - the summer season of firework displays held at Land's End.

In January 2016 Margoyles was a guest on The Graham Norton Show where she recounted a stage-door meeting with Laurence Olivier when she "started to cream in knickers". Fellow guests were surprised by the anecdote, although actress Gemma Arterton said she "knew exactly" what Margoyles meant. Actor Matthew Perry said that he thought hearing the story was possibly "the worst moment of my life".

Personal life

Margolyes is a lesbian. For more than forty years she has been with her partner Heather Sutherland, a retired Australian Professor of Indonesian Studies formerly based in Amsterdam. She mentioned her relationships with women on several occasions when she appeared on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in September 2008.

On becoming an Australian citizen, on Australia Day 2013, Margolyes referred to herself as a "dyke" live on national television and in front of the then prime minister, Julia Gillard.

She is a campaigner for a respite care charity, Crossroads.

She appeared on the British television quiz University Challenge in 1963, whilst at Cambridge University. As part of a BBC documentary, University Challenge: The Story so Far, she claimed that during her appearance she swore after getting a question wrong, although the actual word was bleeped out of the recording.

Margolyes is a lifelong admirer of the works of Charles Dickens and has performed all over the world a one-woman show, Dickens' Women, in which she plays 23 characters from Dickens' novels.

Margolyes is a Palestinian human rights activist, having been a member of the British-based ENOUGH! coalition that seeks to end the "Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip and West Bank." She is also a signatory of Jews for Justice for Palestinians.

Margolyes divides her time between homes in London, Tuscany and Robertson, New South Wales.

Author and comedian David Walliams says he used Margolyes as a model for the title character in his children's book Awful Auntie after a rude exchange with the actress during a stage production. He stresses however that he has nothing against Margolyes and is a fan of her work.

Margolyes caused controversy in 2016 at Edinburgh Waverley railway station when she asked a man to give up a seat only for him to refuse, pointing out there was another one nearby. By her own admission, she then swore at the man and poured a bottle of water over him.

TV and filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1965 Theatre 625 Rita 1 episode
1967 Boy Meets Girl Maria 1 episode
1968 Jackanory Storyteller 5 episodes
1968 Dixon of Dock Green Anna 1 episode
1973 Doctor in Charge Doris 1 episode
1974 World of Laughter Various parts TV series
1974 Fall of Eagles Anna Vyrubova TV miniseries
1975 Rime of the Ancient Mariner Dorothy Wordsworth
1975 The Girls of Slender Means Jane Wright TV
1976 Christmas Box TV
1976 Angels June Morris 2 episodes
1976 Kizzy Mrs. Doe 2 episodes
1976 The Glittering Prizes Olive Wise TV miniseries
1976 The Battle of Billy's Pond Tour Guide
1976-1982 Crown Court Marilyn Munro / ... 2 episodes
1977 Play for Today Veronica 1 episode
1977 Spasms Rose Finn TV
1977 Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers Elephant Ethel Notes
1978 Saiyûki TV series
1978 On a Paving Stone Mounted Notes
1980 The Apple Landlady
1980 The Lost Tribe Queenie TV miniseries
1980 The Awakening Dr. Kadira
1980 Tales of the Unexpected Mary Burge 1 episode
1981 Reds Woman writing in notebook uncredited
1981 Take a Letter, Mr. Jones Maria 6 episodes
1981 A Kick Up the Eighties Various roles TV series
1981 The History Man Melissa Tordoroff TV
1982 Crystal Gazing Newsreader
1983 Yentl Sarah Notes
1983 The Black Adder Infanta Maria Escalosa of Spain 1 episode
1983 Scrubbers Jones
1984 Freud Baroness TV mini-series
1984 Electric Dreams Ticket Girl
1985 The Good Father Jane Powell
1985 Oliver Twist Mrs. Corney TV miniseries
1985 Morons from Outer Space Doctor Wallace
1986 Little Shop of Horrors Dental Nurse
1986 The Life and Loves of a She-Devil Nurse Hopkins 1 episode
1986 Blackadder II Lady Whiteadder 1 episode
1986 A Little Princess Miss Amelia TV
1986 Scotch & Wry Various TV
1987 Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story Elsa Maxwell TV
1987 Body Contact Tony's Mother
1988 Little Dorrit Flora Finching
1988 Blackadder's Christmas Carol Queen Victoria TV
1988 Mr Majeika Wilhelmina Worlock TV series, Seasons 1 and 2
1989 Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story Mrs. Rajzman TV
1990 Pacific Heights Realtor
1990 Orpheus Descending Vee Talbot TV
1990 The Finding Poll TV
1990 I Love You to Death Joey's Mother Notes
1990 Old Flames Nellie TV
1990 The Fool Mrs. Bowring Notes
1991 Tonight at 8.30 Mrs. Wadhurst 2 episodes
1991 The Butcher's Wife Gina Notes
1991 Dead Again Lady Uncredited
1992 Stalin Krupskaya TV
1992 As You Like It Audrey
1992 Frannie's Turn Frannie Escobar TV series
1993 The Age of Innocence Mrs. Mingott
1993 The Comic Strip Presents... Mother 1 episode
1993 Ed and His Dead Mother Mabel Chilton
1994 Just William Miss Polliter 1 episode
1994 Immortal Beloved Nanette Streicherová Notes
1994 Moonacre Old Elspeth TV series
1995 Balto Grandma Rosy/Extra Voices
1995 Babe Fly the Female Sheepdog Voice
1995 Cold Comfort Farm Mrs. Beetle TV
1996 Different for Girls Pamela
1996 Romeo + Juliet The Nurse
1996 James and the Giant Peach Aunt Sponge/The Glowworm Voice
1997 The IMAX Nutcracker Sugar Plum
1997 Castle Ghosts of Wales Hag ghost
1997 The Phoenix and the Carpet Cook TV miniseries
1997 The Place of Lions Miss Cole TV
1998 Babe: Pig in the City Fly the Female Sheepdog voice
1998 Vanity Fair Miss Crawley TV miniseries
1998 Rugrats Shirley Finster 1 episode
1998 Mulan The Matchmaker voice
1998 Left Luggage Mrs. Goldman
1998 The First Snow of Winter Sean Seamus Aloysius Dermot Duck
1998 Candy Gisella
1998 Supply & Demand Edna TV miniseries
1999 Magnolia Faye Barringer uncredited
1999 End of Days Mabel
1999 Dreaming of Joseph Lees Signora Caldoni
1999 Sunshine Rose Sonnenschein
2000 Dharma & Greg Chloe 1 episode
2000 House! Beth
2001 Cats & Dogs Sophie the Castle Maid
2001 Not Afraid, Not Afraid
2002 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Professor Pomona Sprout
2002 Plots with a View Thelma & Selma
2002 Alone Caseworker
2004 Agatha Christie's Marple: The Murder at the Vicarage Mrs. Price-Ridley TV
2004 Being Julia Dolly de Vries
2004 Ladies in Lavender Dorcas
2004 The Life and Death of Peter Sellers Peg Sellers
2004 Modigliani Gertrude Stein
2004 End of the Line Bag Lady
2004 Chasing Liberty Maria
2005 Wallis and Edward Aunt Bessie TV
2005 Dickens in America Herself 10 episodes
2005 Inconceivable Malva 1 episode
2006 Jam & Jerusalem Mrs. Midge 1 episode
2006 Happy Feet Mrs. Astrakhan Voice
2006 Flushed Away Rita's Grandma Voice
2006 Sir Billi the Vet Baroness Chantal McToff Voice
2007 The Dukes Aunt Vee
2008 How To Lose Friends and Alienate People Mrs. Kowalski Film
2008 Kingdom Henny 1 episode
2009 The Sarah Jane Adventures Leef Blathereen 2 episodes: The Gift parts 1 and 2, Voice only
2010 Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole Mrs. Plithiver Voice only
2010 Tinga Tinga Tales Giraffe and Squirrel Voice only
2010 Merlin Grunhilda in episode "The Changeling"
2011 Doc Martin Shirley Guest appearance
2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 Professor Pomona Sprout
2012 The Wedding Video Patricia
2012 The Guilt Trip Anita
2012-present Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries Aunt Prudence
2013 Hebburn Millie Christmas special
2014 Maya the Bee The Queen Voice
2014 The Legend of Longwood Lady Thyrza
2014 Nina Needs to Go! Nana Sheila Voice
2014 Trollied Rose Series 4
2016 Plebs Iona
2016 Rake TBC
2016 The Real Marigold Hotel Self BBC2 TV Documentary Series

Notes

  • The Thief and the Cobbler (1993) - the voice of the Maiden from Mombasa (original version only; the character was not heard at all in the re-edited versions and another actor was never available in all the re-edited versions).
  • The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004) - Peg Sellers - note this film was shown in cinemas in the UK and Australia - it aired on cable television on the HBO network in the US.

Theatre

  • The Importance of Being Miriam - Australian Tour (2015)
  • I'll Eat You Last (Sue Mengers) - Melbourne Theatre Company (2014)
  • Neighbourhood Watch (Ana) - Adelaide State Theatre (2014)
  • Dickens' Women - World Tour (Australia/New Zealand/UK/USA/Canada) (2012)
  • A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (Grace) - Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow (2011)
  • Me and My Girl (The Duchess) - Crucible Theatre, Sheffield (2010)
  • Endgame (Nell) - Duchess Theatre, London (2009)
  • Realism - Melbourne Theatre Company (2009)
  • Wicked (Madame Morrible) - George Gershwin Theater, New York (2008)
  • Wicked (Madame Morrible) - Apollo Victoria Theatre, London (2006)
  • The Importance of Being Earnest (Miss Prism) - Ahmanson Theater, Los Angeles/Harvey Theater (Brooklyn Academy of Music), New York (2006)
  • Blithe Spirit (Madame Arcati) - Melbourne Theatre Company (2004)
  • The Way of the World (Lady Wishfort) - Sydney Theatre Company (2003)
  • The Vagina Monologues - Arts Theatre, London (2001)
  • Romeo and Juliet (Nurse) - Ahmanson Theater, Los Angeles (2001)
  • The Cherry Orchard (Madame Ranevskaya) - Theatre Royal, York (1999)
  • The Killing of Sister George (June Buckridge) - Ambassadors' Theatre, London (1995)
  • She Stoops to Conquer (Mrs Hardcastle) - Queen's Theatre, London (1993)
  • Dickens' Women - Edinburgh Festival (1989)/Hampstead Theatre and Duke of York's Theatre, London (1991)
  • Orpheus Descending (Vee Talbot) - Haymarket Theatre, London (1988)
  • Man Equals Man (Widow Begbick) - Almeida Theatre, London (1987)
  • Gertrude Stein and a Companion (Gertrude Stein) - International Tour (1986)
  • 84 Charing Cross Road (Helen Hanff) - Colchester (1984)
  • Flaming Bodies (Psychiatrist) - ICA - (1979)
  • Cloud Nine - Royal Court/Joint Stock Tour (1978)
  • The White Devil - Old Vic Theatre, London (1976)
  • Kennedy's Children - Arts Theatre, London (1975)
  • Canterbury Tales (Wife of Bath) - Bristol Old Vic (1974)
  • Threepenny Opera - Piccadilly Theatre, London (1972)
  • Fiddler on the Roof (Matchmaker) - UK Tour (1970)

Documentary

  • Dickens in America - writer/presenter

Awards and nominations

  • Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Services to Drama, 2002
  • Winner: Theatregoer's Choice Awards 2007 Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Madam Morrible in Wicked
  • Winner: Audiofile's Earphones Award 2001 for A Christmas Carol
  • Winner: Prix Jeunesse Best Children's Programme (0-6 fiction) 2000 for The First Snow of Winter
  • Winner: The Talkies Performer Of The Year 1997 for Oliver Twist
  • Winner: Sony Radio Awards Best Actress On Radio 1993 for The Queen and I
  • Winner: BAFTA Best Supporting Actress 1993 for The Age of Innocence
  • Nominated: Olivier Award for Best Entertainment 1991 for Dickens' Women
  • Winner: LA Critics Circle 1989 Best Supporting Actress for Little Dorrit (shared with Geneviève Bujold)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]


Terms Privacy Join Contact
Contact Any Star FanPal • 2024