Helen McCrory
Birthday: 17 August 1968, London, England, UK
Height: 163 cm
Award-winning actress Helen Elizabeth McCrory was born in London, England, to Welsh-born Anne (Morgans) and Scottish-born Iain McCrory, a diplomat (from Glasgow). She trained at the Drama Centre Londo ...Show More
What I find most interesting about acting is transforming myself.
What I find most interesting about acting is transforming myself.
The only time I ever spend alone is when I am working or when my husband is away filming. I put the Show more
The only time I ever spend alone is when I am working or when my husband is away filming. I put the kids to bed and have an hour and a half in the evening for myself. Hide
As I've got older, I feel more confident in my body, so wouldn't want to tamper with it.
As I've got older, I feel more confident in my body, so wouldn't want to tamper with it.
People are not considerate of others. They tend not to consider themselves as all living together, b Show more
People are not considerate of others. They tend not to consider themselves as all living together, but see themselves only as individuals. Hide
I've become more confident as I have got older. I care less what others think.
I've become more confident as I have got older. I care less what others think.
My own parents were very un-neurotic, so I never thought that I had to change enormously in order to Show more
My own parents were very un-neurotic, so I never thought that I had to change enormously in order to become a parent. Hide
If I were in politics, I'd make both left and right sit down and make good decisions about national Show more
If I were in politics, I'd make both left and right sit down and make good decisions about national health. It's a huge problem, and it is something we all should be part of. Hide
Actually, I'm looking forward to being 50. Because to me, that's when a woman is at the pinnacle of Show more
Actually, I'm looking forward to being 50. Because to me, that's when a woman is at the pinnacle of her femininity and her womanhood. Hide
I love theater because it's just me and the audience. It's the litmus test in acting, to be able to Show more
I love theater because it's just me and the audience. It's the litmus test in acting, to be able to sustain a performance over one, two or three hours. Hide
Theatre is liberating because it only works if it's truthful, That's what it requires. That's not tr Show more
Theatre is liberating because it only works if it's truthful, That's what it requires. That's not true of film: the camera does lie. You can be moved by a performance on set, but when you see it on screen, it does nothing. Yet there will be someone you simply didn't notice on set that on screen: bam! Hide
A script is only as good as the director who's making it.
A script is only as good as the director who's making it.
I think I was brought up with an innate sense of responsibility because my dad was in the Foreign Of Show more
I think I was brought up with an innate sense of responsibility because my dad was in the Foreign Office where you were in somebody else's country, and you were aware of your behavior. And my mum worked for the NHS, so you were aware of your responsibility to your country. Hide
I've often sat down with people talking about a film I've been in, and they haven't realized I was i Show more
I've often sat down with people talking about a film I've been in, and they haven't realized I was in it. Hide
A perfect weekend in London has to start on Friday night, by going to the theater, the Donmar or the Show more
A perfect weekend in London has to start on Friday night, by going to the theater, the Donmar or the National. It's a cliche for an actor, but I enjoy going as much as possible. Hide
What really matters to me is what my peers think.
What really matters to me is what my peers think.
People who are exceptionally intelligent are often lonely because there are few people as intelligen Show more
People who are exceptionally intelligent are often lonely because there are few people as intelligent as them. I have two little children, and everyone says: 'I hope they're doing well in school. I hope they're bright.' And I think: 'Why would anyone want their children to be the brightest?' Academia is a lonely world. Hide
I love dressing up. But I'm very low-maintenance; the week before an event, I'll choose something as Show more
I love dressing up. But I'm very low-maintenance; the week before an event, I'll choose something as quickly as possible and that's that. If I can do my own hair and make-up, even better. I like it to be fun. Hide
So often when you meet child actors, they're weird - they're freaks. No, I mean it, they're really o Show more
So often when you meet child actors, they're weird - they're freaks. No, I mean it, they're really odd people. Hide
You don't learn from good people - they've found what works for them and are completely original; yo Show more
You don't learn from good people - they've found what works for them and are completely original; you learn from the people who are bad. You think: 'Oh dear, I'm not going to do that.' Hide
If you're constantly frightened of being unhappy, how bloody exhausting must that be?
If you're constantly frightened of being unhappy, how bloody exhausting must that be?
Every time, at any point of my life, I think now is always the best age to be.
Every time, at any point of my life, I think now is always the best age to be.
Literature is reflecting what is happening in life. More and more women are having relationships wit Show more
Literature is reflecting what is happening in life. More and more women are having relationships with younger men. It's partly that women are not losing their figures now. Hide
I used to say that theater was my favorite thing. But the more I do film, the more I appreciate it.
I used to say that theater was my favorite thing. But the more I do film, the more I appreciate it.
The benefits of feminism for someone like my husband are fantastic. He can stay at home with the kid Show more
The benefits of feminism for someone like my husband are fantastic. He can stay at home with the kids, he can take them to a park, he does the school run. Hide
I was a real art freak when I was a teenager.
I was a real art freak when I was a teenager.
In the area we live, there's a large show of children who run from one house to another house to ano Show more
In the area we live, there's a large show of children who run from one house to another house to another house. That's lovely because it means all the children play together, and all the adults get to sit around and have coffees and read the papers or go to the park. Hide
I feel as though my life is bathed in golden sunlight. And the really wonderful thing is that I know Show more
I feel as though my life is bathed in golden sunlight. And the really wonderful thing is that I know it. Hide
I was very lucky. I left college, and Richard Eyre was in charge of the National Theater. I was offe Show more
I was very lucky. I left college, and Richard Eyre was in charge of the National Theater. I was offered the lead in 'The Seagull' with no experience and went on to do five plays there. Hide
I really love my food. My favorite thing is artichokes. I am not so much interested in desserts or c Show more
I really love my food. My favorite thing is artichokes. I am not so much interested in desserts or chocolate, though. I also like to cook with my husband Damian. Hide
What interests me about life most is people, and the why of the world. That's what theater looks at: Show more
What interests me about life most is people, and the why of the world. That's what theater looks at: it examines life, and gives it a cohesiveness that life doesn't have. Hide
I love live performance and have huge admiration for people who can really do it. It's the same with Show more
I love live performance and have huge admiration for people who can really do it. It's the same with music: I'll play a record and think that I'm not really into country or ragga. But, if it's live and the musicians are good, I'll listen to pretty much anything. Hide
I was lucky to learn early in life that you need money for food and shelter, but there's no ambition Show more
I was lucky to learn early in life that you need money for food and shelter, but there's no ambition in having money in the bank for the sake of it! Hide
To be honest, my husband and my children are my best friends.
To be honest, my husband and my children are my best friends.
If you think you are beautiful in a scene, you will come across as beautiful. I don't think looks ar Show more
If you think you are beautiful in a scene, you will come across as beautiful. I don't think looks are important; I think what's important is if someone is sexy. Hide
I'm a very positive person. My grandmother taught me that happiness is both a skill and a decision, Show more
I'm a very positive person. My grandmother taught me that happiness is both a skill and a decision, and you are responsible for the outcome. Hide
There are a lot of little lessons that can be taught around the home without sitting a child down an Show more
There are a lot of little lessons that can be taught around the home without sitting a child down and boring them to death with your philosophy of life! Hide
You can be moved by a performance on set, but when you see it on screen, it does nothing. Yet there Show more
You can be moved by a performance on set, but when you see it on screen, it does nothing. Yet there will be someone you simply didn't notice on set that on screen: bam! Hide
I love London, and it's a privilege for my children to grow up here.
I love London, and it's a privilege for my children to grow up here.
Appallingly, I hadn't thought about it one jot. I never daydreamed as a little girl of getting marri Show more
Appallingly, I hadn't thought about it one jot. I never daydreamed as a little girl of getting married and having children. I was as surprised to discover I was getting married as I was to discover I was up the duff. Hide
I think it's very important not to grow up with the unhealthy amount of attention that is sometimes Show more
I think it's very important not to grow up with the unhealthy amount of attention that is sometimes put on people because they are 'actors'. Hide
When I was 14, I told my mother I intended to be in the House of Commons in the morning, in court in Show more
When I was 14, I told my mother I intended to be in the House of Commons in the morning, in court in the afternoon and on stage in the evening. She realized then a fantasist had been born. Hide
I had a great start in television; the first thing I did was an episode of 'Performance' called 'The Show more
I had a great start in television; the first thing I did was an episode of 'Performance' called 'The Entertainer' with Michael Gambon playing Archie Rice. Hide
Childhood has definitely been invented, hasn't it? I think that's because people had children later, Show more
Childhood has definitely been invented, hasn't it? I think that's because people had children later, and we appreciate and cherish childhood a lot more. Hide
I think change is good because it teaches you that it's nothing to be frightened of.
I think change is good because it teaches you that it's nothing to be frightened of.
America is such a nation of suppressed emotion, and when you arrive in L.A., you can smell the fear. Show more
America is such a nation of suppressed emotion, and when you arrive in L.A., you can smell the fear. It's the most alien country I've ever been to. Hide
I can sleep anywhere! I can come off stage during the interval of a play, lie down for four minutes Show more
I can sleep anywhere! I can come off stage during the interval of a play, lie down for four minutes then wake up feeling better. Hide
I spent my teenage years in Paris when my dad was stationed there, and I'd look at women in their fo Show more
I spent my teenage years in Paris when my dad was stationed there, and I'd look at women in their forties and think, 'That's the age I want to be.' Hide
I use my awards as doorstops. Others are in the office or in little cubbyholes in our library - they Show more
I use my awards as doorstops. Others are in the office or in little cubbyholes in our library - they go between the books, because they actually look like arty pieces. Hide
Working in films, there are hundreds of odd moments.
Working in films, there are hundreds of odd moments.
It's what people create that makes my heart stop.
It's what people create that makes my heart stop.
I listen to Radio 4 all the time. I didn't go to university, so that's my further education.
I listen to Radio 4 all the time. I didn't go to university, so that's my further education.
Helen McCrory's FILMOGRAPHY
as Actor (111)
Helen McCrory'S roles
Amanda Puryer
Clair Dowar MP
Elizabeth I
Mama Jeanne
Emma Banville
Madame Le Notre
Cherie Blair
Mrs. Bean
Narcissa Malfoy
Valentine de Villefort
Show More
