History of Helen Mirren in Timeline

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Helen Mirren

Dame Helen Mirren is a highly acclaimed English actress with a career spanning six decades across stage and screen. She has received numerous prestigious awards including an Academy Award, multiple Emmy and BAFTA Awards, and a Tony Award. Notably, Mirren is the only individual to achieve both the US and UK Triple Crowns of Acting. She has also been honored with the BAFTA Fellowship and Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. In 2003, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

1923: Setting of Yellowstone Spinoff 1923

The Yellowstone spinoff 1923, in which Helen Mirren portrays Cara Dutton, is set in 1923.

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1938: Brighton Rock film is based on novel by Graham Greene

In 2010, Mirren played a role in film "Brighton Rock", a crime film loosely based on Graham Greene's 1938 novel of the same name.

1964: Experienced inappropriate behavior during casting call

In 1964, Helen Mirren had an experience where she felt she was treated inappropriately by director Michael Winner during a casting call.

1967: First visit to Israel after the Six-Day War

In 1967, after the Six-Day War, Helen Mirren visited Israel, witnessing both the "extraordinary magical energy" of the country and instances of Arabs being displaced from their homes in Jerusalem.

1969: Golda Meir as prime minister of Israel

From 1969 to 1974, Golda Meir served as the prime minister of Israel, a role Helen Mirren portrayed in the 2023 biopic "Golda".

1974: Golda Meir as prime minister of Israel

From 1969 to 1974, Golda Meir served as the prime minister of Israel, a role Helen Mirren portrayed in the 2023 biopic "Golda".

1981: Meeting Liam Neeson on Excalibur

In 1981, Helen Mirren met Liam Neeson while working on "Excalibur", leading to a romantic relationship. Neeson credited Mirren with helping him find an agent.

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1981: Arthur Remake

In 2010, Mirren's next film was the comedy film "Arthur", a remake of the 1981 film of the same name, starring Russell Brand in the lead role. "Arthur" received generally negative reviews from critics, who declared it an "irritating, unnecessary remake".

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1985: Meeting Taylor Hackford on the set of White Nights

In 1985, Helen Mirren met American director Taylor Hackford on the set of "White Nights", beginning a relationship that led to their marriage.

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1986: Dating Taylor Hackford

In 1986, Helen Mirren started dating Taylor Hackford, whom she had met on the set of White Nights in 1985. They eventually married in 1997.

1990: Mirren Declared Atheist

In 1990, Helen Mirren stated in an interview that she was an atheist.

1990: Reunion with Donald Sutherland in Bethune: The Making of a Hero

In 1990, Helen Mirren worked with Donald Sutherland on Bethune: The Making of a Hero. This was the first time they had worked together since that time.

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1994: Appeared in The Madness of King George

In 1994, Helen Mirren appeared in "The Madness of King George", portraying Queen Charlotte.

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1994: Portrayed Charlotte in The Madness of King George

In 1994, Helen Mirren portrayed Charlotte in "The Madness of King George".

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1996: Appeared in Some Mother's Son

In 1996, Helen Mirren appeared in "Some Mother's Son".

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December 1997: Marriage to Taylor Hackford

On December 31, 1997, Helen Mirren married Taylor Hackford at the Ardersier Parish Church in the Scottish Highlands, marking her first marriage and his third. The wedding occurred on Hackford's 53rd birthday.

1997: Appeared in Painted Lady

In 1997, Helen Mirren appeared in "Painted Lady".

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1997: Mirren wanted to see the defeat of the Conservative Party

In 2006, Mirren stated that she wanted to see the defeat of the Conservative Party at the 1997 UK general election, calling them appalling.

1998: Appeared in The Prince of Egypt and Antony and Cleopatra

In 1998, Helen Mirren appeared in "The Prince of Egypt". She also played Cleopatra in "Antony and Cleopatra" at the National Theatre alongside Alan Rickman, although the production received poor reviews.

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1999: Portrayed Ayn Rand in The Passion of Ayn Rand

In 1999, Helen Mirren portrayed Ayn Rand in the television film, "The Passion of Ayn Rand", winning an Emmy for her performance.

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1999: Starred in Teaching Mrs. Tingle

In 1999, Helen Mirren starred in "Teaching Mrs. Tingle", playing Mrs. Eve Tingle, a sadistic history teacher.

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2000: Appeared in Greenfingers, The Pledge, and No Such Thing

In 2000, Helen Mirren appeared in "Greenfingers", a comedy about prisoners winning gardening awards, Sean Penn's "The Pledge", in which she played a child psychologist, and "No Such Thing", where she portrayed a television producer. The Pledge was a critical success, while No Such Thing was panned by critics.

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2000: Cast as Lady Torrance in Orpheus Descending

In 2000, Nicholas Hytner cast Helen Mirren as Lady Torrance in his revival of Tennessee Williams' "Orpheus Descending" at the Donmar Warehouse in London. Her performance was described as exemplary.

2001: Starred in Gosford Park and Last Orders

In 2001, Helen Mirren starred in Robert Altman's "Gosford Park", receiving awards and nominations for her role. She also appeared in Fred Schepisi's "Last Orders".

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2002: Appeared in Door to Door

In 2002, Helen Mirren appeared in "Door to Door".

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November 2003: Starred in Mourning Becomes Electra at the National Theatre

In November 2003, Helen Mirren starred in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's "Mourning Becomes Electra" at the National Theatre, receiving praise for her performance as Christine Mannon.

2003: Starred in Calendar Girls and The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone

In 2003, Helen Mirren starred in "Calendar Girls", a film inspired by the true story of women producing a nude calendar for charity, and "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone", a Showtime television film based on the novel by Tennessee Williams.

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2003: Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire

In 2003, Helen Mirren was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) for services to drama.

2003: Clarkson's death

In 2013, Mirren replaced Bette Midler in David Mamet's biographical television film "Phil Spector" about the American musician. The HBO film focuses on the relationship between Spector and his defence attorney Linda Kenney Baden, played by Mirren, during the first of his two murder trials for the death in 2003 of Lana Clarkson in his California mansion.

2004: Appeared in The Clearing, Pride, and Raising Helen

In 2004, Helen Mirren appeared in "The Clearing", "Pride", and "Raising Helen".

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2004: Named Naturist of the Year

In 2004, Helen Mirren was named Naturist of the Year by British Naturism, expressing her love for nude beaches and belief in naturism.

2005: Appeared in Shadowboxer and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

In 2005, Helen Mirren appeared in "Shadowboxer" and provided the voice for Deep Thought in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".

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2005: Portrayed Elizabeth I in the television series Elizabeth I

In 2005, Helen Mirren portrayed Elizabeth I in the television series "Elizabeth I", receiving an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for her performance.

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2006: Political views on the Conservative Party

In 2006, Helen Mirren expressed her desire to see the Conservative Party defeated in the 1997 UK general election, referring to them as "appalling".

2006: Portrayed Elizabeth II in The Queen

In 2006, Helen Mirren portrayed Elizabeth II in "The Queen", winning the Academy Award for Best Actress, the BAFTA, and a Golden Globe, among other awards.

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2006: Ranked among TV's 50 Greatest Stars

In 2006, Helen Mirren was ranked number 29 in ITV's poll of TV's 50 Greatest Stars for her role as Jane Tennison in ITV's Prime Suspect.

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September 2007: Publication of autobiography, In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures

In September 2007, Helen Mirren's autobiography, "In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures", was published in the UK by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, offering a candid account of her life and career.

In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures
In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures

September 2007: Won an Emmy Award for Prime Suspect: The Final Act

On September 16, 2007, Helen Mirren won another Emmy Award for her role in "Prime Suspect: The Final Act" on PBS.

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2007: Spoke about Michael Winner's Treatment at casting call

In 2007, Helen Mirren spoke about director Michael Winner's treatment of her at a 1964 casting call, where she felt she was treated "like a piece of meat".

2007: The Debt remake

In 2009, Mirren worked on the film The Debt, which is a remake of the 2007 Israeli film of the same name.

2008: Mirren discusses past drug use

In 2008, Helen Mirren revealed in an interview with GQ that she was date raped as a student and used cocaine at parties until the 1980s. She stopped after learning that Klaus Barbie profited from cocaine dealing.

January 2009: Named one of the top 10 British actresses of all time

In January 2009, Helen Mirren was named one of The Times' list of the top 10 British actresses of all time, alongside Julie Andrews, Helena Bonham Carter, Judi Dench, and Audrey Hepburn.

July 2009: Played title role in Phèdre at the National Theatre

In July 2009, Helen Mirren played the title role in Jean Racine's "Phèdre" at the National Theatre, also staged at the Epidaurus amphitheatre on July 11 and 12.

2009: Release of The Leisure Seeker Novel

In 2009, the novel The Leisure Seeker by Paolo Virzì was released. This is the novel that the 2017 film starring Helen Mirren was based on.

2009: Preparation for role in The Debt

In 2009, while in Israel for filming of some scenes, Helen Mirren reportedly immersed herself in studies of Hebrew language, Jewish history, and Holocaust writing in preparation for her role as a retired Israeli Mossad agent in the film "The Debt".

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May 2010: Waxwork unveiling at Madame Tussauds

On May 11, 2010, Helen Mirren attended the unveiling of her waxwork at Madame Tussauds in London.

September 2010: Brighton Rock Premiered at Toronto International Film Festival

In September 2010, "Brighton Rock", starring Helen Mirren, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, receiving mixed reviews.

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2010: Starred in Love Ranch and The Tempest

In 2010, Helen Mirren appeared in five films including starring in "Love Ranch", directed by her husband Taylor Hackford, and in Julie Taymor's "The Tempest". While Mirren received strong reviews for The Tempest, the film itself was panned.

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2010: The Hundred-Foot Journey Novel Release

In 2014, Mirren starred in "The Hundred-Foot Journey", which is based on Richard C. Morais's 2010 novel with the same name.

The Hundred-Foot Journey
The Hundred-Foot Journey

April 2011: Hosted Saturday Night Live

On April 9, 2011, Helen Mirren hosted "Saturday Night Live".

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August 2011: Mirren describes herself as spiritual

In August 2011, Helen Mirren told Esquire that she is quite spiritual and believed in fairies as a child, but does not believe in God.

2011: Named Sexiest Woman Alive by Esquire

In 2010, Helen Mirren was named Sexiest Woman Alive by Esquire, and in a 2011 photo shoot for the magazine, she posed with the Union Jack.

2012: Played Alma Reville in Hitchcock and The Door

In 2012, Helen Mirren played Alfred Hitchcock's wife Alma Reville in the biopic "Hitchcock", and also starred in the drama film "The Door".

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2012: Selection for Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band cover

In 2012, Helen Mirren was chosen by Sir Peter Blake as one of the British cultural icons to appear in a new version of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album cover.

February 2013: Started in The Audience as Elizabeth II

In February 2013, Helen Mirren began playing Elizabeth II in the World Premiere of Peter Morgan's "The Audience" at the West End's Gielgud Theatre. The show was directed by Stephen Daldry.

March 2013: Featured in Marks & Spencer's "Womanism" campaign and listed as one of the 50 Best-Dressed Over 50 by The Guardian

In March 2013, Helen Mirren was announced as part of Marks & Spencer's "Womanism" campaign, featuring British women from various fields, and was listed as one of the 50 Best-Dressed Over 50 by The Guardian.

2013: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2013, Helen Mirren received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2013: Replaced Bette Midler in Phil Spector and voiced Dean Hardscrabble in Monsters University

In 2013, Helen Mirren replaced Bette Midler in the biographical television film "Phil Spector" and voiced Dean Abigail Hardscrabble in Pixar's animated comedy film "Monsters University".

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2014: Starred in The Hundred-Foot Journey

In 2014, Helen Mirren starred in "The Hundred-Foot Journey" opposite Om Puri, directed by Lasse Hallström and produced by Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey. The film is based on Richard C. Morais's 2010 novel with the same name.

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June 2015: Won Tony Award for The Audience

On June 7, 2015, Helen Mirren won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in "The Audience". Her Tony Award win made her one of the few actors to achieve the US "Triple Crown of Acting".

2015: Reunion with Simon Curtis and appearances in multiple films

In 2015, Helen Mirren reunited with Simon Curtis for "Woman in Gold", a film based on Maria Altmann's fight for her aunt's painting. Mirren also appeared in "Eye in the Sky" as a military intelligence officer and in "Trumbo" as Hedda Hopper, receiving a Golden Globe nomination for the latter. "Woman in Gold" became one of the year's highest-grossing specialty films.

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2016: Starring in Collateral Beauty

In 2016, Helen Mirren starred in "Collateral Beauty," a film about a man coping with his daughter's death. The film received negative reviews.

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2017: Becoming a U.S. citizen

In 2017, Helen Mirren became a U.S. citizen.

2017: Narration and appearance in Fast & Furious film

In 2017, Helen Mirren narrated "Cries from Syria" and appeared in "The Fate of the Furious" as Magdalene Shaw. She also starred in "The Leisure Seeker", receiving her 15th Golden Globe nomination at the 75th awards ceremony.

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2018: Roles in Winchester and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

In 2018, Helen Mirren starred as Sarah Winchester in the horror film "Winchester" and as Mother Ginger in Disney's "The Nutcracker and the Four Realms".

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2019: Appearances in Berlin, I Love You, Anna, and Hobbs & Shaw

In 2019, Helen Mirren appeared in "Berlin, I Love You," "Anna," and co-starred in "Hobbs & Shaw," expanding her presence in ensemble and action films.

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2020: Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival

In 2020, Helen Mirren received the Honorary Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

2020: Voting in first U.S. election

In 2020, Helen Mirren voted in her first U.S. election and supported Patricia Ackerman's campaign in Nevada.

March 2021: Cast as Hespera in Shazam! Fury of the Gods

In March 2021, Helen Mirren was cast as the villain Hespera in the superhero film "Shazam! Fury of the Gods".

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April 2021: Participation in "La Vacinada" Music Video

In April 2021, Helen Mirren participated in the "La Vacinada" music video by Italian comedian Checco Zalone, which humorously highlights the safety of having affairs with vaccinated individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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2021: Named Great Immigrants Award Honoree

In 2021, Helen Mirren was named by the Carnegie Corporation of New York as an honoree of the Great Immigrants Award.

2022: Appearance in Kendrick Lamar's Music Video and Yellowstone Spinoff

In 2022, Helen Mirren appeared in Kendrick Lamar's "Count Me Out" music video and began portraying Cara Dutton in the Yellowstone spinoff "1923".

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2022: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award

In 2022, Helen Mirren received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, adding to her numerous accolades and recognition as one of the few performers to achieve both the American and British Triple Crowns of Acting.

August 2023: Support for Israel's existence

In August 2023, Helen Mirren voiced strong support for Israel's existence due to the Holocaust but criticized the Israeli government's direction and proposed judicial reform. She reaffirmed her support for the state while opposing cultural boycotts.

2023: Role in Golda and Barbie

In 2023, Helen Mirren portrayed Golda Meir in the biopic "Golda" and served as the narrator in Greta Gerwig's "Barbie".

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March 2024: Barbie doll likeness for International Women's Day

In March 2024, to commemorate the 65th anniversary of International Women's Day, Helen Mirren was one of the female celebrities who had their likeness turned into Barbie dolls.