Miriam Margolyes is a versatile and award-winning actress who has charmed audiences with her roles on stage and screen. She is also a witty and outspoken personality who has written books and performed one-woman shows. In this blog post, we will explore her life, career, and achievements.
Early life and education
Miriam Margolyes was born in Oxford, England, on 18 May 1941, to a Jewish family. Her father was a Scottish doctor and her mother was a property developer. She was an only child and grew up in a comfortable and cultured environment. She attended Oxford High School and Newnham College, Cambridge, where she studied English literature. She developed a passion for acting and theatre, and joined the Cambridge Footlights, a famous comedy troupe.
Theatre and film career
After graduating from Cambridge, Margolyes pursued a career in theatre, appearing in various productions in London and abroad. She made her film debut in 1969 in the British comedy A Nice Girl Like Me. She gained recognition as a character actor, playing a range of roles from historical figures to fantasy characters. Some of her notable film appearances include:
Yentl (1983), where she played Sarah, the wife of Barbra Streisand’s love interest.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986), where she voiced Audrey II, the man-eating plant.
The Age of Innocence (1993), where she won a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Mrs. Mingott, a wealthy and eccentric widow.
Babe (1995) and Babe: Pig in the City (1998), where she voiced Fly, the sheepdog.
Romeo + Juliet (1996), where she played the Nurse, a loyal and humorous confidante of Juliet.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011), where she played Professor Sprout, the head of Hufflepuff House and the Herbology teacher.
Margolyes has also worked extensively in television, starring in series such as Blackadder, The Life and Loves of a She-Devil, Vanity Fair, and Call the Midwife. She has also lent her voice to animated shows such as James and the Giant Peach, Mulan, Flushed Away, and Early Man.
One-woman shows and books
Margolyes is not only an actress, but also a writer and performer. She has created and toured with several one-woman shows, such as Dickens’ Women, where she plays 23 characters from the novels of Charles Dickens, and The Importance of Being Miriam, where she shares stories from her life and career. She has also written three books: Dickens’ Women (2012), a companion to her show; This Much is True (2021), her autobiography; and Oh Miriam (2023), a collection of humorous and insightful essays.
Personal life and citizenship
Margolyes has been in a long-term relationship with Heather Sutherland, an Australian academic, since 1968. They live together in London, Tuscany, and Sydney. Margolyes became an Australian citizen in 2013, and holds dual citizenship with the United Kingdom. She is an outspoken advocate for various causes, such as LGBT rights, animal welfare, and social justice. She is also known for her candid and sometimes controversial opinions on various topics, such as politics, religion, and sex.
Miriam Margolyes Books
Miriam Margolyes is not only an actress, but also a writer. She has written three books so far:
This Much Is True (2021), her autobiography, where she shares her life story, from her childhood in Oxford to her career in theatre and film, and her personal and political views.
Oh Miriam! (2023), a collection of humorous and insightful essays, where she reflects on various topics, such as ageing, sexuality, travel, and culture.
Dickens’ Women (2012), a companion to her one-woman show, where she explores the characters and themes of Charles Dickens’ novels, and how they relate to her own life and experiences.
You can find more information about her books on Goodreads, Amazon, or Waterstones.
Miriam Margolyes Movies?
Miriam Margolyes is a famous actress who has appeared in many movies, both live-action and animated. Some of her movies are:
The Age of Innocence (1993), where she won a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Mrs. Mingott, a wealthy and eccentric widow.
Romeo + Juliet (1996), where she played the Nurse, a loyal and humorous confidante of Juliet1.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011), where she played Professor Sprout, the head of Hufflepuff House and the Herbology teacher.
Babe (1995) and Babe: Pig in the City (1998), where she voiced Fly, the sheepdogs.
James and the Giant Peach (1996), where she voiced Aunt Sponge and Glowworm.
Mulan (1998), where she voiced the Matchmaker.
Magnolia (1999), where she played Faye Barringer, a TV producer.
You can find more of her movies on IMDb or Wikipedia.
What Is Her Most Successful Movie?
Miriam Margolyes has appeared in many successful movies, both critically and commercially. However, one possible way to measure her success is by looking at the box office gross of her movies. According to Box Office Mojo, the highest-grossing movie that she has been in is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011), which made over $1.3 billion worldwide.
She played Professor Sprout, the head of Hufflepuff House and the Herbology teacher, in this movie and its predecessor, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). Another very successful movie that she has been in is Babe (1995), which made over $254 million worldwide.
She voiced Fly, the sheepdog, in this movie and its sequel, Babe: Pig in the City (1998). These are just two examples of her successful movies, but she has also been in many other acclaimed and popular films, such as The Age of Innocence (1993), Romeo + Juliet (1996), and Mulan (1998).
What Are Some Of Miriam Margolyes Tv Shows?
Miriam Margolyes is a famous actress who has appeared in many TV shows, both live-action and animated. Some of her TV shows are:
Call the Midwife (2022), where she played Mother Mildred, a nun who runs a maternity home in London.
The Windsors (2020), where she played Queen Elizabeth II, the monarch of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
Bucket (2017), where she played Mim, a rebellious and eccentric mother who goes on a road trip with her daughter.
Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (2015), where she played Prudence Stanley, the wealthy and conservative aunt of the titular detective.
Blackadder (1982-1989), where she played various roles, such as Queen Victoria, Lady Whiteadder, and the Spanish Infanta.
The Life and Loves of a She-Devil (1986), where she played Nurse Hopkins, a loyal and sadistic assistant to a vengeful woman.
What Are Some Of Miriam Margolyes' Awards?
Miriam Margolyes is a very accomplished actress who has won and been nominated for many awards. Some of her awards are:
BAFTA Film Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Age of Innocence (1993)
LAFCA Award for Best Supporting Actress for Little Dorrit (1988)
Theatregoers Choice Awards for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical for Madam Morrible in Wicked (2007)
Audiofile’s Earphones Award for A Christmas Carol (2001)
Prix Jeunesse for Best Children’s Programme for The First Snow of Winter (2000)
The Talkies Performer of the Year for Oliver Twist (1997)
She has also received many other nominations and accolades for her work on stage and screen. She is a true icon of drama and comedy.
Miriam Margolyes Net Worth
Miriam Margolyes has a net worth of around $6 million. She has earned this amount from her long and successful career as an actress, voice artist, writer, and performer. She has appeared in over 150 films and TV shows, including the Harry Potter series, The Age of Innocence, Babe, and Call the Midwife. She has also written three books and created several one-woman shows. She is a versatile and talented artist who has entertained and inspired millions of people.
Controversy And Activism Of Miriam Margolyes
Miriam Margolyes is a well-known actress who is also known for her outspoken and controversial opinions on various topics. She is also an activist for various causes, such as LGBT rights, animal welfare, and social justice. Some examples of her controversy and activism are:
In 2020, she said on a live TV show that she had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die when he contracted Covid-19, and that she was furious with his government’s handling of the pandemic. She later clarified that she did not wish him dead, but that she was expressing her anger and frustration.
In 2016, she was accused of making a racist joke which left a black man reportedly “humiliated” at the London Film Convention. She allegedly asked him if he had just come from prison, and then said that she was “just joking”. She later apologised and said that she did not mean to offend anyone.
In 2013, she became an Australian citizen and said that she was “ashamed” of being British because of the UK’s involvement in the Iraq War and its treatment of asylum seekers. She also criticised the monarchy and said that she hoped Australia would become a republic.
In 2012, she participated in a protest against the badger cull in England, and said that she was willing to break the law to stop the killing of badgers. She also joined other celebrities in signing a letter to the government urging them to abandon the cull.
In 2011, she came out as a lesbian and said that she had been in a relationship with an Australian academic for over 40 years. She also said that she was proud of being gay and that she supported same-sex marriage.
Conclusion
Miriam Margolyes is a remarkable woman who has lived a rich and diverse life. She is a talented and versatile actress who has entertained and inspired millions of people with her performances.
She is also a witty and honest writer and speaker who has shared her insights and experiences with humour and grace. She is a true icon of drama and comedy, and a treasure of both British and Australian culture.
