British actress and Dame Helen Mirren | CNN

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

In pictures: British actress and Dame Helen Mirren

Updated 12:49 PM EST, Wed March 2, 2022
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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.
Mirren, center, is seen wearing pigtails at St. Bernard's High School in Westcliff-on-Sea, England, in 1961.
Shutterstock
A young Mirren participates in a reading for the play "Antony and Cleopatra" with Michael Croft, left, and John Nightingale in 1965.
A young Mirren participates in a reading for the play "Antony and Cleopatra" with Michael Croft, left, and John Nightingale in 1965.
Daily Mail/Shutterstock
Mirren, who is playing Cleopatra in "Antony and Cleopatra," is seen during a break from rehearsals in 1966.
Mirren, who is playing Cleopatra in "Antony and Cleopatra," is seen during a break from rehearsals in 1966.
Mirrorpix/Courtesy Everett Collection
Mirren, center, appears in the play "Charley's Aunt" alongside Tom Courteney, left, and Lucy Fleming at the Century Theatre in Manchester in 1966.
Mirren, center, appears in the play "Charley's Aunt" alongside Tom Courteney, left, and Lucy Fleming at the Century Theatre in Manchester in 1966.
Peter Howard/ANL/Shutterstock
Mirren waits with her luggage at the London Airport in 1969.
Mirren waits with her luggage at the London Airport in 1969.
Dove/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
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.
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.
Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Mirren poses for a portrait in 1975.
Mirren poses for a portrait in 1975.
Mirrorpix/Getty Images
In 1980, Mirren makes her breakthrough film performance in "The Long Good Friday."
In 1980, Mirren makes her breakthrough film performance in "The Long Good Friday."
HandMade Films/Alamy
Mirren appears in the film "Cal" alongside John Lynch in 1984.
Mirren appears in the film "Cal" alongside John Lynch in 1984.
Moviestore/Shutterstock
Mirren poses for a portrait in 1986 in Paris.
Mirren poses for a portrait in 1986 in Paris.
Frederic PIAU/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Mirren and Nigel Hawthorne star in the film "The Madness of King George" in 1994. Mirren received an Oscar nomination for her performance.
Mirren and Nigel Hawthorne star in the film "The Madness of King George" in 1994. Mirren received an Oscar nomination for her performance.
Keith Hamshere/Moviepix/Getty Images
Mirren puts on a pair of shoes on the set of the series "Prime Suspect 4" in 1995.
Mirren puts on a pair of shoes on the set of the series "Prime Suspect 4" in 1995.
Shutterstock
Mirren participates in an Amnesty International protest against stun guns in 1997.
Mirren participates in an Amnesty International protest against stun guns in 1997.
Alex Lentati/Evening Standard/Shutterstock
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.
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.
Scott Barbour/Getty Images
On December 5, 2003, Mirren was invested as a Dame from the Prince of Wales during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
On December 5, 2003, Mirren was invested as a Dame from the Prince of Wales during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
Fiona Hanson/AFP/Getty Images
Mirren stars in "The Queen" in 2006. She received an Academy Award, SAG Award and BAFTA Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II.
Mirren stars in "The Queen" in 2006. She received an Academy Award, SAG Award and BAFTA Award for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II.
Pathe/Kobal/Shutterstock
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."
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."
Mark J. Terrill/AP
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.
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.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Mirren presents Daniel Day-Lewis with an Oscar at the 2008 Academy Awards.
Mirren presents Daniel Day-Lewis with an Oscar at the 2008 Academy Awards.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Mirren stars in the play "Phèdre" at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Greece in 2009.
Mirren stars in the play "Phèdre" at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus in Greece in 2009.
P Anastasselis/Shutterstock
Mirren reacts to her husband, Taylor Hackford, kissing a wax figure of her at Madame Tussauds in London in 2011.
Mirren reacts to her husband, Taylor Hackford, kissing a wax figure of her at Madame Tussauds in London in 2011.
Akira Suemori/AP
Mirren leaves her handprints during a ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles in 2011.
Mirren leaves her handprints during a ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles in 2011.
Peter Brooker/Shutterstock
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.
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.
Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images
Mirren shakes hands with Queen Elizabeth II during a performing arts reception at Buckingham Palace in 2011.
Mirren shakes hands with Queen Elizabeth II during a performing arts reception at Buckingham Palace in 2011.
Dominic Lipinski/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
In 2012, Mirren speaks at the Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle.
In 2012, Mirren speaks at the Diamond Jubilee Pageant at Windsor Castle.
Steve Parsons/PA Images/Getty Images
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.
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.
AP
Prince William presents Mirren a BAFTA fellowship during the 2014 British Academy Film Awards.
Prince William presents Mirren a BAFTA fellowship during the 2014 British Academy Film Awards.
Rich Hardcastle/PA Images/AP
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.
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.
Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Getty Images
Mirren kneels on stage between Thomas Gottschalk, left, and Christian Berkel at the Golden Camera Awards in Hamburg in 2016.
Mirren kneels on stage between Thomas Gottschalk, left, and Christian Berkel at the Golden Camera Awards in Hamburg in 2016.
Christian Charisius/picture-alliance/dpa/AP
In 2017, Mirren is presented with an honorary doctorate degree by the University of Southern California President C.L. Max Nikias.
In 2017, Mirren is presented with an honorary doctorate degree by the University of Southern California President C.L. Max Nikias.
Jerritt Clark/Getty Images
Mirren takes part in a L'Oreal fashion show in Paris in 2017.
Mirren takes part in a L'Oreal fashion show in Paris in 2017.
Kamil Zihnioglu/AP
Mirren attends the 2018 Royal Ascot horse race in Berkshire, England.
Mirren attends the 2018 Royal Ascot horse race in Berkshire, England.
John Walton/PA Images/Getty Images
Mirren attends the "Catherine The Great" premiere in London in 2019.
Mirren attends the "Catherine The Great" premiere in London in 2019.
Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images
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. 
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. 
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP
Mirren accepts the Life Achievement Award at the 2022 SAG Awards.
Mirren accepts the Life Achievement Award at the 2022 SAG Awards.
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

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