Biography
Who is Lesley Manville?
Early life and education
Lesley Manville Ann Manville was born on March 12, 1956, in Brighton, East Sussex. She was raised in the town of Hove as the youngest of three daughters. Her mother was a former ballet dancer, while her father worked as a taxi driver. She showed early musical talent by training as a soprano singer from the age of 8, even becoming a twice under-18 champion of Sussex.
As a teenager, she began appearing in television series such as King Cinder. At age 15, she successfully gained a place at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts to pursue her training. During her time there, she was taught improvisation by teacher Julia Carey after turning down an invitation to join a dance troupe.
Stage and screen career
Lesley made her professional stage debut in 1972 in the West End musical I and Albert. She later established herself as a distinctive theatre actress, working with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Court Theatre starting in 1978. She has maintained a long professional relationship with director Mike Leigh, appearing in eight of his films including Grown-Ups, High Hopes, Secrets & Lies, and Mr. Turner.
Her film credits are extensive and include Dance with a Stranger, Maleficent, and Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. She received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Cyril Woodcock in the 2017 romance drama Phantom Thread. She also played the villainous matriarch in the 2020 neo-western thriller Let Him Go.
Awards and theatre achievements
Lesley is a decorated performer with multiple honors. She won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress twice, first for her portrayal of Helene Alving in the 2013 revival of Ghosts and later for her role as Jocasta in Oedipus in 2024. She also received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in the Broadway transfer of Oedipus in 2025.
Her work has been recognized by various critics' groups. She won the London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actress of the Year in 2002. She also received the National Board of Review Award for Best Actress for her performance in Another Year. In 2021, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to drama and charity.
Personal life and family
Lesley was previously married to actor Gary Oldman. The two were married until they split in 1989, three months after the birth of their son, Alfie. Her second marriage was to actor Joe Dixon, which ended in divorce in 2004. As of 2019, she has lived on her own in west London.
Her family background has included significant loss. Her sister Brenda, who was nine years her senior, passed away from a brain tumour. Also, her sister's husband and two daughters died of Huntington's disease. During her early years, she dated actor and television presenter Peter Duncan.
Birthday and age
Lesley Manville was born on March 12, 1956, which makes Lesley 70 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Lesley shares the date with 33 other famous people.
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