Miriam Margolyes

Current Role

Miriam Margolyes is no longer starring in hit West End show, Wicked. Miriam played the part of Madame Morrible in this spectacular new show alongside Adam Garcia, Nigel Planer and Idina Menzel.

Early Life

Miriam Margolyes was born in Oxford in 1941. This talented British character actress studied at New Hall College and Cambridge university before beginning her acting career. Her early work was primarily in radio and on the stage. Miriam Margolyes started her acting career with the BBC in 1963 as a radio actress. Her work in radio was often in eccentric comedy roles and for a number of years her voice was heard everywhere from radio spots to TV commercials.

Career Highlights

Miriam Margolyes began to act regularly in film in the mid 1970s but did not grasp public attention until her 1988 role in the film adaptation of Charles Dickens' 'Little Dorrit.' This role as Flora Finching, the flirtatious spinster earned Margolyes critical acclaim and recognition. Miriam followed this success with the black comedy 'I Love You to Death.' During the 1990s Miriam Margolyes appeared in a number of films, television shows and her own highly successful one-woman touring show. Miriam received her greatest recognition from the public and critics for the 1993 film 'The Age of Innocence.' She played the sharp-tongued and elderly Mrs Mingott and gave the film it's primary source of comedy. At the time there was widespread speculation of an Oscar nomination for this role but the rumours were unfounded. Miriam did, however, win the BAFTA award for best supporting actress.

In the last decade Miriam has appeared in many ambitious, sometimes 'oddball' productions with roles in films such as 'Ed and His Dead Mother.' Miriam Margolyes has also had success with her voiceover work - her most famous voiceover role to date was the voice of 'Fly,' the maternal dog who takes care of Babe in both 'Babe' and 'Babe - Pig in the City.' In recent years Miriam has appeared in mainstream films such as 'Magnolia,' 'End of Days' and alongside Leonardo di Caprio and Clare Danes in 'Romeo and Juliet.' Miriam found a young, new fan base when she appeared as 'Professor Sprout' in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.'

Miriam's most recent work has included the hugely successful 'Ladies in Lavender' in which she starred alongside Dame Judi Dench and dame Maggie Smith. She also played the part of Peg Sellers in the acclaimed 2004 biopic 'The Life and Death of Peter Sellers.' In 2002 Miriam Margolyes was awarded an OBE for her services to drama.

Interesting Facts

• Miriam participated on 'University Challenge' whilst at Cambridge University
• Miriam is a campaigner for a respite care charity
• In the Independent on Sundays 2006 Pink List, Miriam came in at number 93