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Amanda Donohoe

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Amanda Donohoe
Born (1962-06-29) 29 June 1962 (age 62)
London, England
Alma materRoyal Central School of Speech and Drama
OccupationActress
Years active1980–present

Amanda Donohoe (born 29 June 1962)[1] is an English actress. She first came to public attention at age 16 for her relationship with pop singer Adam Ant, appearing in the music videos for the Adam and the Ants singles "Antmusic" (1980) and "Stand and Deliver" (1981) during their four-year relationship. After making her film debut in Foreign Body (1986), she co-starred in Castaway with Oliver Reed and starred in two films by Ken Russell: The Lair of the White Worm (1988) and The Rainbow (1989).

Donohoe later moved to the United States, where she appeared in films and in television series, which included winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress during her two years (1990–1992) as C.J. Lamb on the NBC drama series L.A. Law. She also appeared in the series Frasier in the episode "Call Me Irresponsible". Other television roles include Natasha Wylde on the British soap opera Emmerdale (2009–2010). She has had numerous stage roles, including Yelena in a 1996 Broadway production of Uncle Vanya.

Early life

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Donohoe was born in London, to Ted and Joanna Donohoe. She has an older sister, Cordelia. She is of Irish, Russian and Swiss ancestry.[2] Her father worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which led to her family moving a great deal, with a base in London but also living for periods overseas. After her father's retirement, he joined her mother in her antiques-dealing business.

Donohoe was educated at the Francis Holland School. When 15 years-old, she met Adam Ant and a year later, she left her parents' home and moved in with Ant in Notting Hill. In October 1980, she accompanied Ant to the recording of the Top of the Pops performance of "Dog Eat Dog." Afterwards, in an incident in the BBC corridors, she personally stepped in to physically defend Ant from an assault by rival band 4" Be 2" [3] which was also on the premises.[4]

In 1981, Donohoe appeared in the promotional videos for the songs "Antmusic" and "Stand and Deliver" by Adam and the Ants, which were screened on TV when the band was at the height of its fame. Shortly before the band began its 1981 world tour, Donohoe was offered a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama; she left Ant.

Career

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After graduation, Donohoe came to the attention of worldwide audiences in 1986 when she was cast to co-star with Oliver Reed as Lucy Irvine in Castaway. She followed this with roles in two Ken Russell films, The Lair of the White Worm and The Rainbow.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1990, Donohoe made her debut on television in the role of lawyer Cara Jean "C.J." Lamb on the American television series L.A. Law in which she appeared during the fifth and sixth seasons of the series. In February 1991, she took part in the first of the so-called "lesbian kiss episodes" on American television when her character privately kissed fellow lawyer Abby Perkins, played by Michele Greene.[5] Some of her other television roles include Bad Girls and a guest appearance in Ally McBeal. She had a major supporting role in the comedy film Liar Liar (1997), starring Jim Carrey.

Donohoe made her Broadway debut in a 1995 production of Uncle Vanya, at the Circle in the Square Theatre.[6] She returned to the UK to play Mrs. Robinson in a 2001 stage production of The Graduate.[2]

After moving back to the UK in the early 2000s, Donohoe took the role of DI Susan Alembic in the crime drama Murder City (2004–2006). In 2009 she joined the cast of ITV soap opera Emmerdale as businesswoman Natasha Wylde. Donohoe played the character until leaving the series in November 2010. On 18 and 19 February 2010, she was a guest panelist on Loose Women. She has also lent her voice to the Activision PC video game Santa Fe Mysteries: The Elk Moon Murder as Karen Gordon.

Personal life

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A socialist and feminist,[7] Donohoe said in a Q&A with The Guardian in 2001 that she was categorically opposed to the death penalty, supported the monarchy, and would vote for the Labour Party in the general election of that year. Donohoe considered smoking cigarettes to be her most unappealing habit, and said she cooked and drank good red wine to relax.[8]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1986 Foreign Body Susan Partridge
Castaway Lucy Irvine
1988 The Lair of the White Worm Lady Sylvia Marsh
1989 The Rainbow Winifred Inger
Diamond Skulls Ginny Bruckton
Tank Malling Helen Searle
1990 Paper Mask Christine Taylor
1994 The Madness of King George Lady Pembroke
1997 Liar Liar Miranda
One Night Stand Margaux
1998 The Real Howard Spitz Laura Kershaw
I'm Losing You Mona Deware
Stardust Christine Wasacz
2000 Circus Gloria
Wild About Harry Ruth McKee
2001 Phoenix Blue Persha Lovich
2008 Starship Troopers 3: Marauder Admiral Enolo Phid
2009 The Calling Trish
2011 The Last Belle Siobhan (voice) Short film
2013 Trafficker Alison Reid
2018 Blue Iguana Dawn Bradshaw
2021 The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star Bianca Pembroke

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1988 An Affair in Mind Drusilla Janus TV film
1988 Les Girls Camilla Episode: "Tarts"
1988 Game, Set and Match Gloria Kent Regular role
1990–1992 L.A. Law Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb Main role
1991 Screen Two Jane Clemant Episode: "The Laughter of God"
1992 Shame Diana Cadell TV film
1993 It's Nothing Personal Katherine Whitloff TV film
1993 Briefest Encounter Siobhan TV film
1993 The Hidden Room Martha Episode: "Dangerous Dreams"
1993 The Substitute Gayle Richards / Laura Ellington TV film
1993 Frasier Catherine Episode: "Call Me Irresponsible"
1993 A Woman's Guide to Adultery Jo 3 episodes
1994 Murder Most Horrid Carmela Vezza Episode: "Overkill"
1995 Shame II: The Secret Diana Cadell TV film
1996 The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years Meggie Cleary O'Neill TV film
1996 Deep Secrets Lara TV film
1998 A Knight in Camelot Queen Guinevere TV film
1999 Batman Beyond Donna Walker / Queen Voice, episode: "Dead Man's Hand"
2000 Ally McBeal Marianne Holt Episode: "I Will Survive"
2000 In the Beginning Zuleika TV miniseries
2001 The Atlantis Conspiracy Lauren Marcus TV film
2001 The Legend of Tarzan Lady Waltham Voice, episode: "Tarzan and the Gauntlet of Vengeance"
2002 Lucky Day Nora Barkin TV film
2004–2006 Murder City DI Susan Alembic Main role
2006 Bad Girls Lou Stoke Main role
2009–2010 Emmerdale Natasha Wylde Regular role
2013 Toast of London Ellen Episode: "Vanity Project"
2013 Air Force One Is Down Gillian Berry TV miniseries
2014 Pramface Sally 2 episodes
2014 Toast of London Ellen Episode: "Buried Alive"

Stage

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Year Title Role Notes
1984 Cymbeline Helen
1984 Great Expectations Estella Royal Exchange, Manchester
1984 The Admirable Crichton Lady Catherine Royal Exchange, Manchester
1996 Uncle Vanya Yelena
1996 Miss Julie Miss Julie Royal Exchange, Manchester
1997–1998 HRH Wallis Simpson UK tour
2001 The Graduate Mrs. Robinson
2001 Hedda Gabler Hedda Royal Exchange, Manchester
2002 Teeth 'n' Smiles Maggie Sheffield Theatres
2011 Star Quality Lorraine UK tour

Awards and nominations

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In 1992, Donohoe won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film for her role in L.A. Law.

References

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  1. ^ "Amanda Donohoe". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023.
  2. ^ a b Lane, Harriet (4 February 2001). "Mrs Robinson, I presume..." The Guardian. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  3. ^ https://www.discogs.com/artist/119560-4-Be-2
  4. ^ Stand and Deliver The Autobiography, Adam Ant, PanMcMillan, 2006
  5. ^ Staff writers (23 September 2008). "Amanda Donohoe to join Emmerdale". BBC News. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  6. ^ Canby, Vincent (24 February 1995). "THEATER REVIEW: UNCLE VANYA; A 'Vanya' Of Spite And Fury". The New York Times. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  7. ^ Alexander, Chris (17 December 2015). "Interview: Amanda Donohoe on Ken Russell's THE LAIR OF THE WHITE WORM". ComingSoon.net. Archived from the original on 8 January 2023.
  8. ^ Greenstreet, Rosanna (19 May 2011). "Q&A: Amanda Donohoe". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 July 2023.
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