Joanna Lumley

In May 1970, she married the comedy writer Jeremy Lloyd. Unfortunately, the marriage was dissolved after a few months, ending in September 1970.

In 1986, she entered into wedlock with conductor Stephen Barlow.

Joanna Lamond Lumley was born on May 1, 1946, in Srinagar, Kashmir and Jammu, British India, to Major James Rutherford-Lumley, who served in the 6th Gurkha Rifles, a regiment of the British Indian Army, and his wife, Thya Rose.

After India achieved independence in 1947, her family moved to Kent, England, where she attended Mickledene School as a boarder. Afterwards, she went to St Mary's Convent School in Sussex, and then studied at the Lucie Clayton Finishing School, after being turned down by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art at the age of 16.

During the first three years of her career, Joanna Lumley worked as a photographic model, notably for Brian Duffy. Alongside, she also worked as a house model for Jean Muir.

In 1966, she appeared in an early episode of the ‘Bruce Forsyth Show’. Three years later, her acting career started with a small role in the movie ‘Some Girls Do’, which was followed by her appearanceas a Bond girl in the 1969 film ‘On Her Majesty's Secret Service’.

In 1973, she starred in a short but memorable role in the television sitcom ‘Coronation Street’. She portrayed the character of Elaine Perkins who turns down Ken Barlow's offer of marriage. The following year, she appeared on the big screen in ‘The Satanic Rites of Dracula’, starring Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.

In 1976–77, she achieved mainstream stardom when she was roped in for the role of a super-agent in the sitcom ‘The New Avengers’. She charmed as the all-powerful Purdey, a former ballerina-turned-martial arts and weapons expert.

Between 1979 and 1982, she starred in the sci-fi adventure series ‘Sapphire & Steel’ in which she played the role of a mysterious inter-dimensional agent who is not quite human.

In 1992, Joanna Lumley signed the defining role of her career for the TV comedy series ‘Absolutely Famous’. In the role of an aging, sexually aggressive, and frequently drunken fashion director, she delivered a show-stealing performance which earned her several awards.