Claire Skinner
Claire Skinner | |
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Born | Claire L. Skinner 1965 (age 58–59) |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1989–present |
Spouse | Charles Palmer (2001-present) |
Children | Henry Thomas Palmer William John Palmer |
Claire L. Skinner (born 1965) is an English actress, known in the United Kingdom for her television career.
Biography
Born and brought up in Hemel Hempstead, Skinner, the youngest daughter of a shopkeeper and an Irish-born secretary, was shy as a child.[1] Her dream was to be an actress and she immersed herself in her ambition. She acted all the time, neglecting school work,[2] at Cavendish School in Hemel Hempstead, and "barely scraped through [her] A-levels".[1] She went on to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and then joined the Royal Shakespeare Company.[3]
Career
Her first role was in Hanky Park, by Walter Greenwood at the Oldham Repertory Theatre, which she describes as a "really traditional start."[2]
Skinner is known for her role as Clare in the British TV comedy Life Begins, and as Lucinda, the sous chef in the first season of Chef! alongside Lenny Henry. Most recently, she has portrayed Sue in the BBC's award-winning sitcom Outnumbered. For many years, she has preferred theatre to screen roles because she's been disappointed with her TV projects ("apart from Mike Leigh's stuff"), "not just when you see the final thing, but also because it hasn't taken off."[4]
Skinner has worked with directors that include Mike Leigh, Trevor Nunn, Tim Burton and Sam Mendes, but she remembers one particular director, Alan Ayckbourn, when she started out: "He was a great influence for me as he pushed me so hard, but every director you work with has a big influence in some way, they really push you.”[5] She has also made small appearances in TV shows such as Lark Rise to Candleford where for 2 episodes she played Mrs Macey. She appeared in the 2011 Doctor Who Christmas special, "The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe".[6]
Personal life
She is married to director Charles Palmer, the son of actor Geoffrey Palmer. They have two sons.[7]
Filmography
Films
- The Rachel Papers (1989)
- Life Is Sweet (1990)
- Naked (1993)
- I.D. (1994)
- The Return of the Native (1994)
- Clockwork Mice (1995)
- You're Dead… (1999)
- Sleepy Hollow (1999)
- Mauvaise Passe aka Escort (1999)
- Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
- And When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007)
- Act of Memory (short) (2011)
Theatre
- The Playboy of the Western World by J.M. Synge
- The Revengers' Comedies by Alan Ayckbourn, Stephen Joseph Theatre, (1989)
- Taking Steps-Revival by Alan Ayckbourn, Stephen Joseph Theatre, (1990)
- Invisible Friends by Alan Ayckbourn, Cottlesloe Theatre, National Theatre, (1991)
- Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare, Young Vic Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, (1992)
- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, (1993)
- Moonlight, by Harold Pinter, London's West End, (1993)
- Look Back in Anger, by John Osborne, Royal Exchange, Manchester, (1995)
- Charley's Aunt, by Brandon Thomas, Royal Exchange, Manchester, (1995)
- The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, Donmar Warehouse and Comedy Theatre, (1995)
- Othello by William Shakespeare, Lyttelton Theatre, Royal National Theatre, (1997)
- The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare, Olivier Theatre, Royal National Theatre, (2001)
- Mrs. Affleck, National Theatre, (2009)[8]
- Deathtrap by Ira Levin, Noël Coward Theatre (2010)
Radio
Television
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Awards
- 1992 – Won – Geneva Stars de Demain Best Actress Life Is Sweet.[10]
- 1995 – Won – Critics' Circle Theatre Award Best Actress The Glass Menagerie.[11]
- 1995 – Won – Time Out Award for Best Performance Off West End The Glass Menagerie.[12]
- 1996 – Nominated – Laurence Olivier Award Best Supporting Performance The Glass Menagerie.[13]
- 2009– Nominated – BAFTA Best Comedy Performance Outnumbered.[14]
References
- ^ a b Bassett, Kate (25 January 2009). "Mommy dearest: Claire Skinner transforms into a monster of a mother" (Press release). London: The Independent. Retrieved 2009-02-10.
- ^ a b "BBC The Boss Series 2 – Press Kit" (PDF) (Press release). BBC Worldwide. 2000. p. 8. Retrieved 2009-02-10.[dead link]
- ^ Patricia Brennan (December 4, 1994). "A Beauty, a Rogue and a Good Man" (Press release). The Washington Post.
- ^ "The Family Way: Claire Skinner warms to her role in Poliakoff's new drama" (Press release). Time Out-London: Plugged In section, by Emma Perry. May 2001.
- ^ "BBC The Boss Series Press Release" (PDF) (Press release). BBC. 2000.[dead link]
- ^ "Doctor Who, Christmas special, BBC One, review". Telegraph. 2011-12-25. Retrieved 2011-12-25.
- ^ "Geoffrey Palmer guest-stars – Radio Times, December 2007" (Press release). Radio Times. December 2007.[dead link]
- ^ "Mrs.Affleck: National Theatre (2009)".[dead link]
- ^ Holmwood, Leigh (2008-07-15). "ITV2 plans 'sex, drugs and murder' drama to follow Billie Piper hit series". guardian.co.uk. London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
- ^ "MIKE LEIGH, FILM AND TELEVISION CREDITS".[dead link]
- ^ "Critics' Circle Theatre Awards for 1995". Albemarle of London.
- ^ "Donmar Warehouse List of Awards for The Glass Menagerie-Time Out Award for 1995".
- ^ "Olivier Winners 1996".
- ^ "BAFTA 2009".