West Hampstead actress Imelda Staunton awarded CBE
Imelda Staunton who has received a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2016 New Year's Honours List. (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire) - Credit: PA
Actress Imelda Staunton has been awarded a CBE in honour of her services to drama in the New Year’s Honours list.
Imelda, an accomplished stage, screen and musical actress, was awarded an OBE in 2006 and has now had the title promoted in the New Year’s Honours list.
Born in Archway to an Irish labourer and hairdresser, Imelda attended La Sainte Union Convent in Highgate before studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
She began her career in repertory theatre at the National Theatre and has been awarded multiple awards for her stage performances, including two Lawrence Olivier Theatre Awards.
Most recently she just finished a stint as Momma Rose in the West End musical Gypsy which snagged her the Best Musical Performance prize at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
Imelda has also become well-known for roles in family movies such as Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix and Maleficant as well as her Oscar-nominated performance of Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake.
Imelda, 59, now lives in West Hampstead with her husband of 32 years Jim Carter, who plays butler Carson in Downton Abbey.
