Latest news with #Joanna
Daily Mail
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Joanna Lumley insists she hasn't had a career but has simply worked to 'keep herself alive' as she reveals she didn't get into acting 'for stardom'
Joanna Lumley has insisted that she hasn't had a career but simply worked to earn enough money to 'keep herself alive'. The actress, 79, has had an illustrious film and television career spanning 55 years, with notable projects including On Her Majesty's Secret Service, The New Avengers and Absolutely Fabulous, while newer roles have seen her star in Amandaland and the upcoming second season of Wednesday. However, in a new interview, Joanna brushed aside the notion that her path to success as an actress was carefully planned, instead noting that she had no idea of her 'destiny' as she went from role to role. She was certain though that she just 'loved' to act and didn't enter this 'precarious profession' for the fame or 'stardom'. Speaking to the Radio Times about her vocation, Joanna explained: 'I've had no career – I was trying to earn money to keep myself alive. I've never had any idea of a destiny or where my career would go and I have never ever asked myself, "Will this damage my career?" I loved acting, so that was going to be my chosen thing. 'We actors just wanted to get to be better actors, and we wanted to work so we could pay the rent. We weren't longing for stardom. We're jobbing actors and we're no different, really, from painters and decorators. It's a precarious profession at the best of times and I've just done anything to keep my head above water.' Meanwhile, Joanna, who started off as a model in the 60s, opened up on the longevity of her career, revealing she was initially only cast in 'pretty girlfriend' roles before the industry eventually changed so that looks wasn't the most important thing. She noted how actresses back in the day were told to keep going 'until 29', by which point they were 'too old', however, Joanna resolutely told herself to 'stick around' and keep pushing ahead. On how things have improved, she shared: 'Now, you look at the wonderful parts for people as old as me, and also interesting, different looking parts that don't need a pretty face. Men have always been allowed to be whatever they want to be, but women have always had to look attractive or alluring or something. That's fading away.' These days, Joanna is as known for her plummy voice as she is for her face, as is often cast because show makers want 'Joanna Lumley' for the part. But the blonde bombshell told how people are 'mad' not to realise that part and parcel of acting is 'typecasting', adding that the point of an actress is that she can 'change' and often did turn down similar roles because she 'wanted to keep changing'. After dreaming of becoming an actress as a teenager, Joanna was turned away from drama school before becoming a model in London during the Swinging Sixties. She later took up small-time acting roles before landing a place in the 1969 James Bond movie, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. It wasn't until a few years later, however, that she hit the big time playing Purdey in The New Avengers. Meanwhile, Joanna opened up on the longevity of her career, revealing she was initially only cast in 'pretty girlfriend' roles before the industry eventually changed so that looks wasn't the most important thing [pictured in 1965] And Joanna has no plans to retire, telling crowds at the SANDS International Film Festival earlier this year that 'she'll be there' as long as she can speak. 'When I was 16 and told the careers officer at my convent school that I wanted to go into acting, he told me that the only jobs open to me in film would be as a continuity or make-up girl,' she added. 'In the past women like me would have been sidelined at 38 but now there are lead parts for people in their 50s and big parts for those in their 70s.' It comes after Joanna made the heartbreaking admission that she 'doesn't have much time left' as she turned 79 in May. Joanna celebrated her 79th birthday on May 1, and the iconic actress opened up about her mortality, admitting that she may not have much time left. 'As you nearly the top of the hill, you suddenly think, "Gosh, there's not all that much time left,"' she told Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2. 'My time must be coming quite soon, and I don't want to have wasted a minute of being on this beautiful planet. I used to panic when I was young, but as I've got older, I've started to live day to day. 'With age, you work out what matters. I always knew that good stuff would come along when I was older. 'When I was 18, I longed to be 30. When I was 30, I longed to be 50. We mustn't be led into thinking getting old is bad. Growing old is good.'
Daily Mirror
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
The One Show viewers say the same thing over Hollywood star's appearance
The One Show viewers were left distracted on Tuesday evening by actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, who was on the BBC programme to speak about the second series of Netflix's smash hit Wednesday. The One Show fans were all making identical observations during Tuesday's edition of the BBC programme. Alex Jones and JB Gill presented the show and invited guests Catherine Zeta-Jones, Luis Guzman, Diane Morgan and Alex Scott onto the famous green sofa. Despite Catherine and Luis appearing to discuss the second series of Netflix's hit programme Wednesday, viewers found themselves somewhat distracted by the actress's looks. Heading to X, one viewer remarked: "I read people talking about CZJ, but didn't realise she was on the screen until she spoke." Another posted: "Catherine zeta jones looks unreal." A third penned: "Catherine Zeta Jones is morphing into Morticia Addams." During her appearance on the programme, the 55-year-old discussed her part in Wednesday ahead of the upcoming series, which is scheduled for release on August 6. Whilst fans will witness many of the original cast members returning to the fictional universe of the Addams Family, there are expected to be some fresh faces, including Joanna Lumley. Joanna will portray Grandmama Hester Frump, Morticia Addams' mother. However, Catherine admitted she was initially nervous about collaborating with her, reports Wales Online. She revealed to Alex Jones: "You have no idea! On an international Dame Joanna is admired, revered. But for me, being a Brit being a Welsh girl like you Alex,for me it was like, my Queen. "I'd never met her, I'd never worked with her, and there was a time where I thought, 'Maybe I shouldn't'. Because I'd be devastated if she's not the kind of woman or artist you know, sharing as an actor. She was everything and more." Gushing about Joanna's performance on Wednesday, Catherine told the two BBC presenters she's 'so mean' in the series. She continued: "So, now we have my character Morticia, and we have this fantastic relationship between Wednesday and the matriarch. "Now comes Joanna's character, Grandma Frump, and we have that dynamic. We have this triangle of three generations of kooky, crazy, wonderful women, and it was a treat." Wednesday, season 2 will premiere on Netflix in two parts: on August 6 and September 3.
Newsweek
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Couple Adopts First Kitten—Can't Cope With How Huge He Becomes: 'Panther'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The joy of adopting a new pet often comes with surprises—but one couple got a larger surprise than they expected. For TikTok user Joanna and her husband, their first feline addition shattered all their expectations. What they thought was a standard kitten grew into a strikingly large, majestic cat now known as their "house panther"—and captivated a wide audience from a TikTok video. Joanna, 27, spoke to Newsweek about how they've adjusted to their kitty's size, and how deep their bond has grown since adopting. "When you think you adopted a it turns out you adopted a panther," Joanna captioned the video. "Adopted our first cat, was not expecting him to be the biggest cat we've ever seen! We love our Witcher." Photos from Joanna's TikTok video of her cat, Witcher, as a kitten and adult. Photos from Joanna's TikTok video of her cat, Witcher, as a kitten and adult. @thesweetlifeofjoanna/TikTok Joanna shared more about their journey with Witcher. Having always been drawn to the majestic appearance of black cats, her path to cat parenthood was somewhat unexpected. Already having a goldendoodle named Teddy, they considered adopting a kitten after realizing Teddy was overwhelmed by other dogs. Seeing a photo of "kitten Witcher with his cute face and prominently big ears," Joanna's heart was set. Witcher, originally named Toast by his foster parents, quickly lived up to his new namesake. Joanna and her husband named him Witcher, after Geralt of Rivia from The Witcher, recognizing his early traits of "stoicism, loyalty, independence, compassion and natural heroism," Joanna said. From the moment he arrived, Witcher's bravery was evident. Despite being dwarfed by Teddy, Witcher immediately began "setting boundaries." And the kitten didn't just bring vibrant energy; he also helped Teddy come out of his shell. Their bond blossomed into a "true brotherly bond," filled with cuddles and playful bouts around the house. The couple initially worried about the size difference during their play, constantly intervening. However, Witcher would hold his ground, and many times, even overtake Teddy. It wasn't long before they noticed the cat's remarkable growth. "Soon, we noticed his tail begun to match the size of his big ears," Joanna said. "Then his body begun stretching longer and longer. Before we knew it, when our friends would come over, they begun commenting 'wow, he is a long boy' or, 'wow he's only a few months old?' Even when I would send update photos to his foster parents, they were blown away by his size too." Joanna noted the significant change as their goldendoodle went from towering over Witcher, to Witcher becoming a "fair opponent" in their play. 'The Same Amount of Love' Beyond his impressive size, Witcher's core personality traits have remained. "My favorite his sense of bravery," Joanna shared, adding that he faces new people, pets, harness training and even long car drives with unwavering courage. Joanna, who once wasn't sure how she'd feel as a cat parent, now emphasizes that "cats and dogs display the same amount of love towards their fur parents—just in different ways." She urges those with strong opinions against cats to consider that they are animals that simply appreciate consistency and trust. For her, Witcher's affectionate moments, like cuddling and endless purrs, are "a very active choice he is making." She hopes that by showcasing Witcher's quirks, she can "bring a spotlight to black cats at large," advocating for their adoption given historical biases and misconceptions. She encourages anyone considering a loyal and loving companion to think about adopting a black cat, just like her magnificent "house panther."
Daily Record
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
King Charles 'really ill' says Joanna Lumley as she shares health insight
Absolutely Fabulous star Joanna Lumley has opened up on King Charles' cancer battle as she praised the future monarch for his 'extraordinary' legacy. King Charles has been praised as "exceptionally brave" amid his health battles, after his cancer diagnosis in February last year. Dame Joanna Lumley has gave an insight on the monarch, who she described as being "really ill" in a new interview. The Absolutely Fabulous icon, 79, who is known for being a passionate royalist, heaped praise on Charles. Dame Joanna was honoured with her damehood three years ago by Princess Anne, for her services to drama, entertainment, and charity. Speaking to Saga Magazine, she revealed: "He's exceptionally brave, because he really is ill, but practically nobody can keep up with him. He packs so much into every day, he walks faster than anybody I've ever met - he's incredible." However Joanna's admiration for the King dates back many years, as she expressed Charles already had made his mark and a lasting legacy long before he took the crown, according to reports in the Mirror. She stated: "He was the most brilliant Prince of Wales we will ever see, without being cruel to Prince William, because he had the role for so long. The Prince's Trust was set up when he was in his twenties - what a far-thinking thing to do!" After meeting both Charles and Queen Camilla in person previously, Joanna described the monarch as a "golden, fabulous person". The actress claimed she believed that the media had championed Diana during the royal pair's marriage troubles, observing that "so much mud was flung" at Camilla Parker Bowles, who has now became Queen. She added: "But now she goes about her job without any rancour." Joanna was awarded an OBE in the 1995 New Year Honours List before claiming her Dame title 27 years later. Dame Joanna expressed that finding out the news through a letter left her in tears, as she reflected on the overwhelming moment she will never forget. The 2022 honours marked the last New Year's awards handed out by the late Queen Elizabeth II before her sad passing nine months later, following her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Giving insight into the late Queen, she commented: "She left so gracefully, remaining upright and swearing in Liz Truss as Prime Minister until the very last minute. We never saw her use a wheelchair, even though she was very frail. She was compos mentis, then she went to her bed and died." Joanna published her book A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II back in 2021. She told Jonathan Ross that it included stories from people who had met her throughout her reign, from figures like Winston Churchill to children who gave her flowers on the street. One story came from rock star Rob Halford from Judas Priest, with Joanna revealing: "He went to Buckingham Palace and heard the queen say 'heavy metal.' He said 'I never believed I'd hear The Queen say the words heavy metal.'". Meanwhile, Joanna has also been in the spotlight recently after expressing support for assisted dying, stating she wouldn't want to continue living if left unable to speak or recognise her loved ones.
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Joanna Lumley says King Charles 'really is ill' as she shares rare health battle insight
Joanna Lumley has shared her deep admiration for King Charles and offered a rare insight into how the monarch is handing his health battle after being diagnosed with cancer last year Absolutely Fabulous legend Dame Joanna Lumley, a devoted royalist, has showered King Charles with glowing praise - describing the monarch as being "exceptionally brave". The 79-year-old actress, who received her damehood three years ago, offered the glowing tribute while discussing Charles' ongoing health struggles, following his cancer diagnosis in February 2024. Speaking to Saga Magazine, she said: "He's exceptionally brave, because he really is ill, but practically nobody can keep up with him. He packs so much into every day, he walks faster than anybody I've ever met - he's incredible." Yet Joanna's deep respect for Charles stretches back decades, as she insisted he had already established an extraordinary legacy well before ascending to the throne. She declared: "He was the most brilliant Prince of Wales we will ever see, without being cruel to Prince William, because he had the role for so long. The Prince's Trust was set up when he was in his twenties - what a far-thinking thing to do!" Having encountered both Charles and Queen Camilla personally, Joanna described the latter as a "golden, fabulous person". The veteran performer claimed the press had backed Diana throughout the Royal couple's marital troubles, noting that "so much mud was flung" at the woman then known as Camilla Parker Bowles. She added: "But now she goes about her job without any rancour." Joanna received an OBE in the 1995 New Year Honours List before securing her Dame title 27 years later. She revealed discovering the news through a letter left her in floods of tears during an unforgettable moment that proved completely overwhelming. The 2022 honours were the final New Year's awards distributed by Queen Elizabeth II before her death nine months later, following her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Offering a glimpse into the late monarch, she remarked: "She left so gracefully, remaining upright and swearing in Liz Truss as Prime Minister until the very last minute. We never saw her use a wheelchair, even though she was very frail. She was compos mentis, then she went to her bed and died." In 2021, Joanna released a book titled A Queen for All Seasons: A Celebration of Queen Elizabeth II. She explained to Jonathan Ross that it featured stories from individuals who had encountered her throughout her reign - ranging from figures like Winston Churchill to children who presented her with flowers on the street. One tale came from rock legend Rob Halford from Judas Priest, with Joanna revealing: "He went to Buckingham Palace and heard the queen say 'heavy metal.' He said 'I never believed I'd hear The Queen say the words heavy metal.'" Meanwhile, Joanna has also attracted attention recently after voicing support for assisted dying - stating she wouldn't wish to continue living if left unable to speak or recognise her loved ones.
