In pictures: British actress and Dame Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren poses for a portrait in San Jose, California, in May 2017.
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In pictures: British actress and Dame Helen Mirren

Updated 1749 GMT (0149 HKT) March 2, 2022

Helen Mirren poses for a portrait in San Jose, California, in May 2017.
Michael Macor/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images

Helen Mirren, an acclaimed British actress and Dame, was presented with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award at the 2022 SAG Awards.

The award is given annually to an actor who upholds the "finest ideals of the acting profession," according to the awarding organization. The last three winners have been Robert De Niro, Alan Alda and Morgan Freeman.

"Dame Helen Mirren is quite simply a brilliant and luminous talent. Her work runs the gamut of characters from a not-so-retired CIA super-killer and a ruthless Russian spy handler to a Hungarian cleaning lady and the most exquisite Elizabeth II," said SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher. "She has set the bar very high for all actors and, in role after role, she exceeds even her own extraordinary performances."

Mirren has won a host of awards including multiple SAG awards, an Academy Award, four Emmys, numerous BAFTA Awards and a Tony. 

Mirren, center, is seen wearing pigtails at St. Bernard's High School in Westcliff-on-Sea, England, in 1961.
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A young Mirren participates in a reading for the play "Antony and Cleopatra" with Michael Croft, left, and John Nightingale in 1965.
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Mirren, who is playing Cleopatra in "Antony and Cleopatra," is seen during a break from rehearsals in 1966.
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Mirren, center, appears in the play "Charley's Aunt" alongside Tom Courteney, left, and Lucy Fleming at the Century Theatre in Manchester in 1966.
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Mirren waits with her luggage at the London Airport in 1969.
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From left, Mirren, Malcolm McDowell, Lindsay Anderson, Rachel Roberts and Miroslav Ondricek sing around Alan Price as he plays the piano at the Cannes Film Festival in France.
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Mirren poses for a portrait in 1975.
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In 1980, Mirren makes her breakthrough film performance in "The Long Good Friday."
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Mirren appears in the film "Cal" alongside John Lynch in 1984.
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Mirren poses for a portrait in 1986 in Paris.
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Mirren and Nigel Hawthorne star in the film "The Madness of King George" in 1994. Mirren received an Oscar nomination for her performance.
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Mirren puts on a pair of shoes on the set of the series "Prime Suspect 4" in 1995.
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Mirren participates in an Amnesty International protest against stun guns in 1997.
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From left, Trisha Stewart, Mirren, Angela Baker and Julie Walters pose during a photocall for the film "Calendar Girls" during the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2003.
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On December 5, 2003, Mirren was invested as a Dame from the Prince of Wales during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
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Mirren stars in "The Queen" in 2006. She received an Academy Award, SAG Award and BAFTA Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II.
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Mirren looks on as confetti falls in the Kodak Theatre after the 2007 Academy Awards. She received the Oscar for best actress for her work in "The Queen."
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Mirren shows off a copy of her book, "In the Frame: My Life in Words and Pictures," at a book shop in London in 2007.
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Mirren presents Daniel Day-Lewis with an Oscar at the 2008 Academy Awards.
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Mirren stars in the play "Phèdre" at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Greece in 2009.
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Mirren reacts to her husband, Taylor Hackford, kissing a wax figure of her at Madame Tussauds in London in 2011.
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Mirren leaves her handprints during a ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles in 2011.
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From left, "Saturday Night Live" cast members Kenan Thompson, Bobby Maynihan, Bill Hader, Taran Killam, Paul Brittain and Andy Samberg lift Mirren when she hosted the show in 2011.
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Mirren shakes hands with Queen Elizabeth II during a performing arts reception at Buckingham Palace in 2011.
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In 2012, Mirren speaks at the Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle.
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Mirren waves as she is paraded through Harvard Square alongside drag actors Tony Oblen, left, and Ethan Hardy. Helen was presented woman of the year by Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals in 2014.
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Prince William presents Mirren a BAFTA fellowship during the 2014 British Academy Film Awards.
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Mirren and the cast of "The Audience" stand during curtain call on opening night of the show on Broadway in 2015. She won a Tony award for her performance that year.
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Mirren kneels on stage between Thomas Gottschalk, left, and Christian Berkel at the Golden Camera Awards in Hamburg in 2016.
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In 2017, Mirren is presented with an honorary doctorate degree by the University of Southern California President C.L. Max Nikias.
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Mirren takes part in a L'Oreal fashion show in Paris in 2017.
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Mirren attends the 2018 Royal Ascot horse race in Berkshire, England.
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Mirren attends the "Catherine The Great" premiere in London in 2019.
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In 2021, Mirren is seen on a control room monitor announcing the nominees for the SAG Awards. The ceremony was a pre-recorded, one-hour telecast due to the pandemic. 
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Mirren accepts the Life Achievement Award at the 2022 SAG Awards.
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