Imelda Staunton Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Ethnicity, Spouse, Child, Awards, TV Series, Films

Imelda Staunton is a British actress and singer born on January 9, 1956, in London, England.

A graduate of RADA, she is widely recognized for her powerful performances on stage and screen.

Staunton gained international acclaim for her lead role in Vera Drake and became globally known as Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter films. She also portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown.

Profile

• Full Name: Imelda Mary Philomena Bernadette Staunton
• Stage Name: Imelda Staunton
• Born: January 9, 1956
• Age: 69 years old
• Birthplace: Archway, London, England
• Nationality: British
• Occupation: Actress and Singer
• Height: 1.52 m (5 ft 0 in)
• Parent: Bridget Staunton (mother), Joseph Staunton (father)
• Siblings: Only child
• Spouse: Jim Carter
• Children: Bessie Carter
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life And Education

Imelda Staunton was born on January 9, 1956, in Archway, North London, England. She is 69 years old. She is the only child of Irish immigrant parents—her mother, Bridget Staunton, was a hairdresser who once worked on actress Vivien Leigh’s hair, and her father, Joseph Staunton, was a laborer and road worker.

Staunton was raised in a Catholic household and maintains the Christian faith. Her family is of Irish ethnicity, originally from County Mayo, Ireland, making her of Irish descent, though she holds British nationality. She attended La Sainte Union Catholic School in Camden, where she was encouraged by her drama teacher to pursue acting.

Her talent was evident early on, and she earned a spot at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, one of the most prestigious acting schools in the UK. Staunton studied there for two years and graduated with professional training that laid the foundation for her career in theatre and film.

Career

Imelda Staunton’s career spans over four decades and showcases her as one of Britain’s most versatile and accomplished performers in theatre, film, and television.

She began on stage in the late 1970s, building a strong reputation with the Royal National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. Early standout roles included performances in The Beggar’s Opera, Guys and Dolls, A Chorus of Disapproval, and Into the Woods.

Her work in musicals earned her multiple Laurence Olivier Awards, particularly for Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, and Gypsy, where her commanding stage presence and powerful voice were praised.

Staunton made a seamless transition into film, gaining international attention for her lead role in Mike Leigh’s Vera Drake (2004). Her portrayal of a working-class woman performing illegal abortions in 1950s England earned her the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

In mainstream cinema, she became widely known for playing the villainous Dolores Umbridge in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) and reprised the role in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010). Her chilling and memorable performance made the character one of the most hated yet iconic in the franchise.

She continued to appear in both commercial and critically acclaimed films, such as Pride (2014), Maleficent (2014, 2019), Downton Abbey (2019, 2022), and The Awakening (2011). In animation, she lent her voice to Aunt Lucy in Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017).

In television, Staunton took on a major role as Queen Elizabeth II in the final two seasons of The Crown (2022–2023), portraying the monarch during the later years of her reign. Her performance was noted for its emotional depth, subtlety, and poise.

Awards and Nominations

• BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Vera Drake) – Won
• Academy Award for Best Actress (Vera Drake) – Nominated
• Olivier Awards – Four-time Winner, including Best Actress in a Musical
• BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress – Nominated
• Screen Actors Guild Award – Nominated

Personal Life

Imelda Staunton is married to English actor Jim Carter, best known for his role as Mr. Carson in Downton Abbey. The couple met in 1982 while working on a production of Guys and Dolls and got married the following year in 1983. They have been together for over 40 years, maintaining one of the most enduring relationships in the entertainment industry.

Together, they have a daughter, Bessie Carter, who has followed in their footsteps and built a successful acting career of her own, with roles in productions like Beecham House and Bridgerton. Imelda Staunton stands at a height of 1.52 meters (5 feet 0 inches).

Filmography

Notable Film Roles:

• Vera Drake (2004)
• Harry Potter series (2007, 2010)
• Pride (2014)
• Maleficent (2014, 2019)
• Downton Abbey (2019, 2022)

Notable TV Roles:

• The Crown (2022–2023)
• Return to Cranford (2009)
• Psychoville (2009)

Theatre Work:

• Sweeney Todd
• Gypsy
• Follies
• Into the Woods
• Guys and Dolls

Net Worth

Imelda Staunton has an estimated net worth of $10 million. Her wealth has been accumulated through a long-standing career in theatre, film, and television.

A significant portion of her earnings comes from her critically acclaimed stage performances in London’s West End, where she starred in award-winning musicals such as Sweeney Todd, Gypsy, and Into the Woods.

Staunton also earned considerable income from her roles in major film productions, notably her performance as Dolores Umbridge in the Harry Potter franchise, which brought her international fame. Additional earnings came from roles in box office hits like Maleficent, Paddington, and Downton Abbey.