Imelda Mary Philomena Bernadette Staunton, OBE, (born 9 January 1956) is an English actress best known for her performances in the British comedy television series Up the Garden Path and the films Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and Vera Drake. For the latter, in which she played the title character, she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Attended La Sainte Union Convent, London.
She was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1986 (1985 season) for Best Performance in a Supporting a Role for "A Chorus of Disapproval" and "The Corn is Green".
She was awarded the Laurence Olivier Theatre Award in 1991 (1990 season) for Best Actress in a Musical for "Into the Woods".
She was nominated for a 1997 Laurence Olivier Theatre Awards for Best Actress in a Musical of the 1996 season for her performance in "Guys and Dolls".
She was awarded the 1985 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in A Chorus of Disapproval and The Corn is Green.
Became an Associate Member of RADA.
Graduated from RADA.
She has won the "Coppa Volpi" award for her performance in Vera Drake (2004) at the 2004 Venice Film Festvial. The movie "Vera Drake" has also won the "Gold Lion" award for the best movie at the same event.
She said that her idols are Bette Davis, Vivien Leigh, and Maya Angelou.
Daughter, Bessie, born in 1993
Her talent agent is the mother of Freddie Highmore.
One of 112 invitees to join AMPAS in 2005.
She was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2006 New Year's Honours List for her services to drama.
Turned down a recurring role in Desperate Housewives.
Offered a role in Bewitched.
Went to a convent school in the north of London.
At 14, she played Polly Peachum in the Beggar's Opera.
