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Alison Steadman

Actor

Alison Steadman

Born August 26, 1946 in Liverpool, England, UK77 films

Alison Steadman (born 26 August 1946) is an English actor. She won the 1991 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the Mike Leigh (her husband 1973-2001) film Life is Sweet, and the 1993 Olivier Award for Best Actress for her role as Mari in the original production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice. In a 2007 Channel 4 poll, the "50 Greatest Actors" voted for by other actors, she was ranked No. 42.

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Steadman made her professional stage debut in 1968 and went on to establish her career in Mike Leigh's 1970s TV plays Nuts in May (1976) and Abigail's Party (1977). She received BAFTA TV Award nominations for the 1986 BBC serial The Singing Detective, and in 2001 for the ITV drama series Fat Friends (2000–05). Other television roles include Pride and Prejudice (1995), Gavin & Stacey (2007–10, 2019) and Orphan Black (2015–16). Her other film appearances include A Private Function (1984), Clockwise (1986), Shirley Valentine (1989), Topsy Turvy (1999), and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004).

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Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
The King's Man poster6.7The King's Man2021Secrets & Lies poster7.6Secrets & Lies1996The Adventures of Baron Munchausen poster7.0The Adventures of Baron Munchausen1988Life Is Sweet poster7.0Life Is Sweet1991The Life and Death of Peter Sellers poster6.6The Life and Death of Peter Sellers2004Topsy-Turvy poster6.6Topsy-Turvy1999Clockwise poster6.2Clockwise1986Shirley Valentine poster6.3Shirley Valentine1989

Filmography

77 films as actor
  1. TBAKing of the TedsTina
  2. 2026JokeVet
  3. 2025Here We Go: Our New Year’s Fireworks FantasaganzaSue Jessop
  4. 2025Stitch HeadNan (voice)
  5. 2024Gavin & Stacey: The FinalePam Shipman
  6. 2024Better ManBetty
  7. 2023Here We Go: Mum's Classic Family ChristmasSue Jessop
  8. 2023WakeGrace
  9. 2021The King's ManRita
  10. 2020Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious MouseDora
  11. 202023 WalksFern
  12. 2019Gavin & Stacey: A Special ChristmasPam Shipman
  13. 2019Off GridGrace Tanner
  14. 2018CareMary
  15. 2017Yours Faithfully, Edna Welthorpe (Mrs)
  16. 2017We Can Be HeroesGranny Evans
  17. 2016Burn Burn BurnDiana
  18. 2016Dad's ArmyMrs. Fox
  19. 2015PetermanAuntie Jean
  20. 2012A Civil ArrangementIsobel
  21. 2011French ExchangeMrs. Phillips
  22. 2010Come Rain Come ShineDora Mitchell
  23. 2008Gavin & Stacey Christmas Special 2008Pam Shipman
  24. 2007Who Gets the DogJenny Evans
  25. 2007Fanny HillMrs. Brown
  26. 2007The Dinner PartyJuliet
  27. 2007The Man from MontevideoKaren Horner
  28. 2006Loony in the WoodsCrazy Butcher
  29. 2006ConfettiSam's Mum
  30. 2004The Life and Death of Peter SellersCasting Agent
  31. 2003Chunky MonkeyBeryl
  32. 2002D.I.Y. HardWoman
  33. 2001Ivor the InvisibleAuntie Barbara (voice)
  34. 2001Bob the Builder: A Christmas to Remember - The MovieMayoress Bunty Ferguson (voice)
  35. 2001Happy NowBronwyn Race
  36. 1999Topsy-TurvyMadame Leon
  37. 1999Jack and the BeanstalkMother / Veronica
  38. 1999Santa's Last ChristmasMrs Whatnot (voice)
  39. 1997The Ugly DucklingThe Hen (voice)
  40. 1997The Missing PostmanChristine Peacock
  41. 1996Secrets & LiesWoman with Dog
  42. 1996The Snow Queen's RevengePearl
  43. 1995Gotta Get OutMaggie
  44. 1994Degas and Pissario Fall OutEmma Dumay
  45. 1993Selling HitlerEdda Goering
  46. 1992Blame It on the BellboyRosemary Horton
  47. 1991Life Is SweetWendy
  48. 1990News HoundsJackie Johns
  49. 1989A Small MourningMarjorie
  50. 1989Shirley ValentineJane
  51. 1989WiltEva
  52. 1989VirtuosoBrenda
  53. 1989Monster MakerPerriwinkle
  54. 19897 Deadly Sins: Stage ActingJanista Maine
  55. 1988The Adventures of Baron MunchausenDaisy
  56. 1988Stormy MondayMayor
  57. 1987The Short & CurliesBetty
  58. 1986ClockwiseGwenda Stimpson
  59. 1985Coming ThroughKate
  60. 1985Number OneDoreen
  61. 1985The Caucasian Chalk CircleKato/Natella/Aniko
  62. 1984A Private FunctionMrs. Allardyce
  63. 1984ChampionsMary Hussey
  64. 1983Tartuffe, or The ImposterElmire
  65. 1982P'tang, Yang, KipperbangMiss Land
  66. 1981The Muscle MarketSusan
  67. 1980PasmoreKay Pasmore
  68. 1978Two Days That Shook the BranchNorma Hardy
  69. 1977Abigail's PartyBeverley
  70. 1977Our Flesh and BloodJan Blincoe
  71. 1976Bag of YeastMargaret Hudson
  72. 1976Nuts in MayCandice Marie
  73. 1975Through the NightChristine Potts
  74. 1975Early to BedHelen
  75. 1974Taking LeaveNonie
  76. 1974GirlJackie
  77. 1973Hard LabourVeronica Thornley