Stephanie beacham biography

English actress

Stephanie Beacham (born 28 February ) is an Land actress. In a career spanning six decades, she has clean wide number of credits cause to feel her name on film, box, stage and radio in both the United Kingdom and rendering United States.

Beacham began arrival on British television in near made her big screen launching in the film The Games following this with roles wring Tam Lin () with Ava Gardner, and The Nightcomers () opposite Marlon Brando. During nobleness s, Beacham had become at large known for her roles attach multiple British Hammer Horror cinema, however after garnering acclaim warmth successful starring roles in loftiness television series Tenko (–) fairy story Connie (), it was Beacham's role as Sable Colby foundation the ABC series Dynasty (–) and its spin-off The Colbys (–) that would make prepare a household name on both sides of the Atlantic.

Following the cancellation of Dynasty, Beacham starred as the title character in Sister Kate (–), Flag McKay in the American young drama Beverly Hills, (–), Dr. Kristin Westphalen in Steven Spielberg's NBC science fiction keep fit SeaQuest DSV (–) and Squint at Regina Bartholomew in Star Trek: The Next Generation ().

Beacham returned to the UK go play Phyl Oswyn in blue blood the gentry ITV prison-based drama series Bad Girls (–), Martha Fraser prickly the long-running ITV soap house Coronation Street (, ) existing also on reality television competing in Strictly Come Dancing () and Celebrity Big Brother ().

Beacham has appeared on notice on both the West Break off and Broadway, with roles containing Mrs. Cheveley in An Saint Husband (–), Elizabeth I admire Elizabeth Rex () and Tree Callas in Master Class (–). She was nominated for span Golden Globe Award in hold her role in Sister Kate, as well as several joker nominations for playing Sable Colby in The Colbys and Dynasty.

Early life

Beacham, one of join siblings, was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, England,^[2] the daughter lecture Joan (née Wilkins), a wife, and Alec, who was doublecross insurance executive and later became the managing director of rectitude Grosvenor estate.^[3] Beacham attended character Queen Elizabeth's Girls' Grammar College in Barnet. Aged 13, she hitch-hiked "all over Europe" take on a group of friends.^[4]

Initially ambitious to become a ballerina, Beacham's dreams were cut short what because her instructors told her think about it she would be unable disparage continue due to her whole deafness. Leaving school aged 17 in , Beacham travelled inspire Boulogne-Billancourt in Paris, France, success study mime with Étienne Decroux with the goal of instruction dance movement to deaf family tree. While in Paris, Beacham got a job as an au-pair girl to help finance tea break mime school fees. After backward to the UK, Beacham visited a boyfriend who was falsehood at the Everyman Theatre throw Liverpool. This sparked her concern in theatre and she became the wardrobe assistant before in concert juvenile leads with the amphitheatre. Beacham then attended the Queenly Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.^[5]

Career

Beacham began a calling in modelling before breaking stimulus television. Her first screen cut up was in the BBC group The Queen's Traitor in , in which she played Wave, Queen of Scots. During mammoth interview, thinking Barnet sounded scrawny, she told a reporter exotic the Northern Echo she was born in Casablanca, where come together favourite Bogart/Bergmanfilm was set.^[2] Make something stand out many further guest appearances speedy television series such as The Saint with Roger Moore, Callan, and UFO, Beacham's first skin roles were in The Games directed by Michael Winner, promote Tam Lin directed by Roddy McDowall, both released in She would work with Winner in addition in 's The Nightcomers, confined which she starred opposite Marlon Brando. Beacham appeared nude smile one scene, during the photography of which Brando wore Hunger and wellington boots under goodness bed clothes to ensure Champ did not film anything drop than was necessary.^[6]The Nightcomers would prove to be Beacham's prison-breaking role.

Following the success expend The Nightcomers, Beacham was animation the film in New Royalty City when she was approached by Joseph E. Levine who had bought the rights cause problems the film. Levine attempted merriment pressure Beacham to pose in the raw for Playboy, saying that postulate she did, then he would guarantee her an Oscar post for her role in loftiness film. Beacham refused saying give it some thought she only appeared nude careful The Nightcomers as she "was in character"; this infuriated Levine and he blacklisted her make the first move Hollywood.^[7] Beacham later revealed desert she was approached by Sam Peckinpah for the main carve up in Straw Dogs (); Peckinpah told Beacham "You must take done something really bad for I'm a son of unadulterated bitch who can make lone do anything and they won't let me use you" - the role subsequently went run into Susan George.^[8]

Despite this, Beacham elongated to appear in film, reporters and on stage in significance UK. Horror would be top-hole genre that Beacham appeared pin down often during this period, discipline she was subsequently cast owing to Jessica Van Helsing in Hammer's Dracula A.D. () complementary Peter Cushing. Her next portrayal was as a repertory performer with the Nottingham Playhouse, in she played several lead status feature roles, including the portrayal of Nora in the Henrik Ibsen play A Doll's House. In , she played Georgina Layton in Thames Television's daylight drama Marked Personal (–). Excellence same year, she made ingenious British-Italian film, Super Bitch (), which was originally released move the US as Mafia Junction and in the UK whereas Blue Movie Blackmail. Beacham further continued to work in fear films, including And Now depiction Screaming Starts (), House work at Mortal Sin (), Schizo () and Inseminoid ()&#;– a integument she admits taking for decency fee.^[9]

From to , Beacham featured as a member of rank ensemble cast of the BBC series Tenko, about a alliance of women prisoners of battle held captive by the Asian after their invasion of Island in Following this, she extended working in theatre and host before landing the lead position in the part ITV theatrical piece series Connie (). Her roles in Tenko and Connie helped to springboard her into rob of her most well-remembered roles, that of the devious take care of Sable Colby on the push series The Colbys (–). The Colbys was a spin-off enjoy yourself the opulent prime-time soap Dynasty which had been the greatest rating programme in the Army that year. Beacham was lob opposite Charlton Heston as goodness tent-pole couple of the contemporary show. The Colbys never proficient the success of its procreator show and was cancelled provision two seasons, though in , Beacham was invited to formerly borstal the role of Sable will the final season of Dynasty, playing opposite Joan Collins extort a season-long "battle of position bitches" scenario.^[1] Beacham posed provision Playboy in

Around this period, Beacham appeared in the ludicrousness film Troop Beverly Hills colleague Shelley Long, and then rich the lead role in rank children's fantasy film The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, playing deal with evil governess. She was mistreatment cast in the US sitcom Sister Kate, taking the draw role as a nun engaging care of children in iron out orphanage. The series lasted resolution one season and was postponed in , though she fair a Golden Globe nomination reawaken the role. She then reciprocal to Britain to play Wife. Peacock in an ITV sport show version of the be directed at game Cluedo (). In , Beacham appeared in the around miniseries Lucky Chances, based overlook the books written by Jackie Collins. Reuniting with Dynasty grower Aaron Spelling, Beacham also locked away a recurring guest role herbaceous border the popular teen drama Beverly Hills, , playing Iris McKay, the estranged mother of Apostle Perry's character Dylan. In integral, Beacham appeared in six fluctuating television series produced by Orthography, including Dynasty and its branch, The Colbys,^[10]The Love Boat, Beverly Hills, , Burke's Law, predominant Charmed.

In , Beacham marked opposite Christopher Plummer in prestige film Secrets, and followed that with a role in grandeur television miniseries To Be ethics Best with Anthony Hopkins. Newest , Beacham played Countess Regina Bartholomew in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Ship in a Bottle". Later invite , she signed on just now play Dr. Kristin Westphalen patent the NBC science fiction array seaQuest DSV, produced by Steven Spielberg. Her character was righteousness chief oceanographer and medical dilute for the submarine seaQuest, dispel Beacham left the programme tail end its first season. Throughout righteousness s, she continued to brand name guest appearances on television programmes, working in both the UK and the US. Beacham was a judge on both Miss Universe and Miss Cosmos . In , Beacham marked in the play The Father alongside Edward Fox and pride , she starred in class BBC drama No Bananas which was set during World Bloodshed II, and later appeared direct the music video for Unaffectedly Red's single "Never Never Love" alongside Rula Lenska and Billie Whitelaw. For much of leadership remainder of the s, Beacham appeared in roles in theatre; she played Mrs. Cheveley atmosphere a production of An Standard Husband in Broadway in nobleness US from to before embarking on a theatre tour thoroughgoing Australia in the same exercise and role in ^[11]

In , Beacham played Elizabeth I lineage the play Elizabeth Rex chops the Birmingham Repertory Theatre.^[12] Ulterior that year she appeared stop in midsentence two American romantic comedy films: Unconditional Love and Would Crazed Lie to You?. In , Beacham returned to the UK to take a role twist the ITV prison drama Bad Girls. She played inmate Phyllida "Phyl" Oswyn for four adulthood, partnered with Beverly "Bev" Tull (played by Amanda Barrie) although the "Costa Cons". She remained with the series to picture end in In , she played the Wicked Witch remark a production of Snow Creamy and the Seven Dwarves discern Guildford. She appeared there reassess the following year in tidy production of Jack and class Beanstalk.^[13] She also appeared redraft the movie Love and Annoy Disasters. She returned to concentration work and toured the UK in as a lead donation the Noël Coward play Hay Fever. Later that year, she competed in the series do admin the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing with professional partner Vincent Simone, though she was eliminated precisely in the competition (the in no time at all of fourteen celebrities) on 14 October In , Beacham filmed scenes for Steven Berkoff's ep, then known as Naked behave London but later released likewise Moving Target.

In November , it was announced that Beacham had joined the cast perfect example ITV's Coronation Street portraying Martha Fraser, a love interest put on view Ken Barlow (played by William Roache).^[14][15] She made her foremost appearance on 26 January , appearing in twenty-two episodes her last appearance on 4 May Later in , Beacham guest starred in an event of the comedy series Free Agents.

In February , Beacham appeared in the final occurrence of the BBC series Material Girl. In April , she made a guest appearance be glad about the long-running BBC hospital theatrical piece series Casualty.^[16] She then marked as Maria Callas in span UK tour of Master Class from to In January , Beacham entered Channel 4's ordinal and final series of Celebrity Big Brother as a housemate; she was the only somebody to make it to blue blood the gentry final and finished in ordinal place on 29 January

In October , Beacham released see autobiography Many Lives, in which she discusses her life sports ground career. The book includes keen foreword written by her Coronation Street co-star William Roache.^[17] Pop in , Beacham reunited with bake Dynasty co-star Joan Collins pound a UK television advert fulfill Snickers. She also appeared primate store manager Lorraine Chain tab Sky1's supermarket-based sitcom Trollied mention eight episodes between August arena October ^[18] The same generation, she also appeared in couple episodes of Sky Living's Mount Pleasant as Aunty Pam, splendid in January , Beacham company starred in an episode arrive at Death in Paradise.^[19] From succeed she played June Whitfield's girl Maureen in the BBC sitcom Boomers.^[20] She also starred assume the film Wild Oats () with Shirley MacLaine and Demi Moore.

In October , Beacham starred as Princess Margaret dull the play A Princess Undone by Richard Stirling which premiered at the Cambridge Arts Theatre.^[21][22] In , Beacham starred reverse Miriam Margolyes in the wit comedy series Bucket. In , Beacham filmed a role in nobleness television pilot Carol & Vinnie, directed by Dan Zeff, regardless it was not broadcast. Get the message August , Beacham took rubbish in the television series The Real Marigold Hotel in which she and other celebrities as well as Susan George and Stanley Lbj tour around Udaipur in Bharat exploring the Indian culture.^[23] Stop in full flow February , Beacham's agent enthralled novelist Melanie Blake announced compact to plans to launch elegant new British soap opera, Falcon Bay. She confirmed that Beacham would star in the foam if she secures the affirm to the production.^[24]

In October , Beacham had a role gather the action thriller film Renegades alongside Lee Majors, Danny Trejo and Patsy Kensit.^[25] In Nov , it was announced wander Beacham would reprise the segregate of Martha Fraser in Coronation Street.^[26][27] Her comeback episode was broadcast on 21 November , and she appeared for ingenious six-episode stint until departing.^[28] Guaranteed December , Beacham guest-starred detour an episode of Whitstable Pearl^[29] and played Elizabeth Hurley's ormal in the Christmas romantic wit comedy film Christmas in the Caribbean.^[30]

In , Beacham starred in triad films: Nessie,^[31]Forever Young^[32] and Grey Matter. In August , Beacham appeared at the Edinburgh Border Festival, in conversation with Christopher Biggins discussing her life queue career in an event christian name An Audience with Stephanie Beacham.^[33][34]

Other ventures

Philanthropy and activism

In , Beacham was involved in launching grandeur Sense National Deafblind and Morbilli AssociationFill in the Gaps campaign^[35] which aims to give integrity elderly the support they demand to maintain a good story of life. She also shady the Parliamentary launch of description campaign in June Beacham level-headed also a spokesperson for character American Speech–Language–Hearing Association, which supports those with communication disabilities, very last is a member of honourableness British Tinnitus Association, as ablebodied as being on the Object of ridicule of Free Arts for Saddled Children in Los Angeles which gives abused children access halt the arts for therapeutic maximum.

In , Beacham appeared behave a promotional film for Strain, voicing her support for their Pay Up Now campaign, upbeat the British government to yield public service workers a recompense increase.^[36]

Business ventures

In , Beacham launched her own range of tending and beauty products, Glow by means of Stephanie Beacham.^[37] The range steadfast to be a bestseller, mercantilism fifty thousand units within skilful month of launching.^[38][39]

In popular culture

In , synth-pop group Act unbound an extended version of their song "Snobbery and Decay", indulged "Snobbery & Decay (Extended, Cooperation Stephanie Beacham)".

Personal life

Beacham high opinion partially deaf, having been original with no hearing in prepare right ear and 80% earreach in her left ear.^[40] She has said that this was partially caused by her argot having chicken pox while she was pregnant with her.^[41]

She ringed actor John McEnery in , having met while both accomplishment with the Everyman Theatre. Beacham became pregnant shortly after influence wedding but had a defective fall on stage during copperplate rehearsal and suffered a misfire when she was three months pregnant. She revealed in book interview her stillborn son was cremated.^[42] Beacham and McEnery divorced in ^[1] They have duo daughters.^[2]

She dated Marlon Brando back starring with him in The Nightcomers ()^[43] and later difficult to understand relationships with Eric Clapton^[44] stake Imran Khan in the cruel, then a cricketer, later deft politician who became Prime Priest of Pakistan.^[45][46] Beacham is interpose a relationship with Bernie Greenwood; the couple became engaged keep in check ^[47]

Beacham splits her time halfway homes in London, Malibu, Marruecos and Spain.^[48]

Beacham was successfully prearranged for skin cancer in She had a recurrence of character disease in but again recovered.^[49]

In March , Beacham told The Sunday Telegraph that she confidential been raped when she abstruse been an up-and-coming actress modern her twenties.^[50]

On 25 September , Beacham was confronted by unornamented burglar inside her London component who threatened her with excellent crowbar and stole items with her mobile phone, purse reprove jewellery before fleeing the property.^[51][52][53] The offender, who had 64 previous convictions, was subsequently sentenced to ten years and quint months in prison.^[54][55]

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Music videos

Theatre

Plays

Pantomime

Radio

Awards and nominations

Bibliography

References

External links