Joanna Lumley
Dame Joanna Lamond Lumley DBE FRGS (born 1 May 1946) is a British actress, presenter, former model, author, television producer, and activist. She has won two BAFTA TV Awards for her role as Patsy Stone in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous (1992โ2012), and was nominated for the 2011 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for the Broadway revival of La Bรชte. In 2013, she received the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards, and in 2017 she was honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship award. Lumley's other television credits include The New Avengers (1976โ1977), Sapphire & Steel (1979โ1982), Sensitive Skin (2005โ2007), Jam & Jerusalem (2006โ2008) and Finding Alice (2021โpresent) as well as playing Elaine Perkins in Coronation Street in 1973. Her film appearances include On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Trail of the Pink Panther (1982), Shirley Valentine (1989), James and the Giant Peach (1996), Ella Enchanted (2004), Corpse Bride (2005), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016). She had roles in two episodes of Are You Being Served? (1973โ1975) written by Jeremy Lloyd, whom she had married and divorced three years prior to her first appearance on the show. Lumley is an advocate and human rights activist for Survival International and the Gurkha Justice Campaign. She supports charities and animal welfare groups, such as Compassion in World Farming and Vegetarians' International Voice for Animals. Lumley was made a Dame (DBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to drama, entertainment and charity.
Known For
Credits
- 2025 ยทTwiggyas
- 2025 ยทJewels of the Mediterraneanas Narrator
- 2023 ยทJoanna Lumley's Spice Trail Adventureas Self - Presenter
- 2023 ยทLate Night Lycettas Self - Guest
- 2021 ยทJoanna Lumley and the Human Swanas Presenter
- 2021 ยทFalling for Figaroas Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop
- 2021 ยทThe Picture of Dorian Grayas Lady Narborough
- 2021 ยทThe Vicar of Dibley: Inside Outas Self
- 2020 ยทCoronation Street: 60 Unforgettable Yearsas Narrator
- 2020 ยทJoanna Lumley's Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haitias Herself - Presenter
- 2017 ยทFinding Your Feetas Jackie
- 2017 ยทAnd the Winner Isn'tas Self
- 2017 ยทCarnage: Swallowing the Pastas Herself (voice)
- 2016 ยทBritish Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselvesas Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited)
- 2016 ยทJoanna Lumley's Japanas Herself
- 2014 ยท50 Years of BBC Two Comedyas Narrator (voice)
- 2013 ยทGangsta Grannyas The Queen
- 2012 ยทThe Making of a Ladyas Lady Maria Byrne
- 2011 ยทLate Bloomersas Charlotte
- 2010 ยทThe National Television Awards Backstage Liveas
- 2009 ยทLive from Studio Fiveas Self
- 2007 ยทA Bucket O' French and Saundersas
- 2005 ยทFinal Chance to Saveas Herself
- 2004 ยทStories of Lost Soulsas Last in Line
- 2003 ยทPosh Noshas Narrator (voice)
- 2002 ยทUp in Townas Madison Blakelock
- 2000 ยทWhispers: An Elephant's Taleas Half Tusk (voice)
- 1999 ยทMad Cowsas Gillian
- 1999 ยทDoctor Who: The Curse of Fatal Deathas The Female Doctor
- 1999 ยทNancherrowas Diana Carey-Lewis
- 1998 ยทThe Tale of Sweeney Toddas Mrs. Lovett
- 1998 ยทComing Homeas Diana Carey-Lewis
- 1995 ยทCold Comfort Farmas Mary Smiling
- 1995 ยทThe Forgotten Toysas Annie (voice)
- 1990 ยทA Ghost in Monte Carloas Lady Drayton
- 1984 ยทThe Glory Boysas Helen
- 1984 ยทElectric Blue Special: Nude Celebrity Specialas
- 1979 ยทThe Plankas Hitcher
- 1975 ยทThe Cuckoo Waltzas Harriet Paulden
- 1971 ยทThe House That Dripped Bloodas
- 1970 ยทThe Ballad of Tam Linas Georgia
- 1969 ยทSome Girls Doas Robot Saboteur (uncredited)
- Future ยทStarting Outas Mrs Robertson
- Future ยทAmandalandas Felicity
- 2024 ยทAbsolutely Fabulous: Inside Outas Self
- 2024 ยทMy Week with Maisyas Mrs. Foster
- 2024 ยทFool Me Onceas Judith Burkett
- 2023 ยทimagine... French & Saunders: Pointed, Bitchy, Bitteras Self
- 2023 ยทJoanna Lumley: My Best Bits - In My Own Wordsas Self
- 2022 ยทSunday with Laura Kuenssbergas Self
- 2022 ยทJoanna Lumley's Great Cities of the Worldas Self - Presenter
- 2021 ยทQuentin Blake โ The Drawing of My Lifeas Self
- 2021 ยทBlankety Blankas
- 2021 ยทRosie Jones' Trip Hazardas Narrator
- 2021 ยทJoanna Lumley's Britainas Self - Host
- 2021 ยทJoanna Lumleyโs Home Sweet Home โ Travels in My Own Landas
- 2021 ยทFinding Aliceas Sarah
- 2020 ยทThe Wonderful World of Mickey Mouseas Narrator (voice)
- 2020 ยทMichael Palin: Travels of a Lifetimeas Self
- 2020 ยทJoanna Lumley's Unseen Adventuresas Cast
- 2020 ยทIn Search of Draculaas Herself
- 2019 ยทRuPaul's Drag Race UKas Self - Guest Judge
- 2019 ยทCounting Tigersas Narrator (voice)
- 2019 ยทCelebrity Goggleboxas Self
- 2019 ยท7 Up & Meas Narrator (voice)
- 2018 ยท20 Years of the Black Eyed Peasas Herself - Host
- 2018 ยทJoanna Lumley's Silk Road Adventureas Self - Presenter
- 2018 ยทSummer Camp Islandas Adult Susie (voice)
- 2017 ยทJoanna and Jennifer: Absolutely Champersas Self - Presenter
- 2017 ยทPaddington 2as Felicity Fanshaw
- 2017 ยทJoanna Lumley's Indiaas Herself
- 2017 ยทJoanna Lumley's Postcards From My Travelsas
- 2016 ยทAbsolutely Fabulous: The Movieas Patsy Stone
- 2016 ยทMe Before Youas Mary Rawlinson
- 2016 ยทAttenborough at 90as Self
- 2015 ยทJoanna Lumley: Elvis and Meas Self
- 2015 ยทJoanna Lumley's Trans-Siberian Adventureas Self - Presenter
- 2015 ยทAbsolutely Anythingas Fenella
- 2015 ยทBritain's Busiest Airport: Heathrowas Narrator (voice)
- 2015 ยทShe's Funny That Wayas Vivian Claremont
- 2014 ยทBette Midler: One Night Onlyas Self - Host
- 2014 ยทJoanna Lumley Meets Will.I.Amas Presenter
- 2014 ยทThe Michael McIntyre Chat Showas Self - Guest
- 2014 ยทThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonas Self
- 2013 ยทThe Wolf of Wall Streetas Aunt Emma
- 2013 ยทThe Last Legas Self
- 2013 ยทThe Great Comic Relief Bake Offas Self - Contestant
- 2012 ยทJoanna Lumley: The Search for Noah's Arkas Herself - Presenter
- 2012 ยทThe Genius of Roald Dahlas Herself
- 2011 ยทJoanna Lumley's Greek Odysseyas Herself
- 2011 ยทWogan on Wodehouseas Self
- 2010 ยทJustin Lee Collins: Good Timesas Self
- 2009 ยทWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenas Self - Guest
- 2009 ยทBoogie Woogieas Mrs. Alfreda Rhinegold
- 2008 ยทIan Fleming: Where Bond Beganas Herself
- 2008 ยทJoanna Lumley in the Land of the Northern Lightsas Herself
- 2008 ยทMistressesas Vivienne Roden
- 2007 ยทThe Graham Norton Showas Self
- 2007 ยทLewisas Esme Ford
- 2006 ยทJam and Jerusalemas Delilah Stagg
- 2006 ยทJam and Jerusalemas Delilah
- 2006 ยทThe One Showas Self
- 2006 ยทBetjeman and Meas
- 2006 ยทPhilip and Elizabethas
- 2005 ยทSensitive Skinas Davina Jackson
- 2005 ยทCorpse Brideas Maudeline Everglot (voice)
- 2005 ยทThe Magic Roundaboutas Ermintrude (voice)
- 2004 ยทAgatha Christie's Marpleas Dolly Bantry
- 2004 ยทElla Enchantedas Dame Olga
- 2004 ยทEuroTripas Hostel Clerk
- 2004 ยทStanding Room Onlyas Last in line
- 2003 ยทMy Dad's the Prime Ministeras
- 2002 ยทTop Gearas Self
- 2002 ยทAnt & Dec's Saturday Night Takeawayas Self - Guest Announcer
- 2001 ยทThe Cat's Meowas Elinor Glyn
- 2000 ยทMirrorballas Jackie Riviera
- 2000 ยทMaybe Babyas Shiela
- 1999 ยทDr Willoughbyas Donna Sinclair
- 1999 ยทThe Foxbustersas Sims / Evita / Voracity (voice)
- 1999 ยทParting Shotsas Freda
- 1999 ยทNancherrowas
- 1999 ยทAlice in Wonderlandas Tiger Lily (voice)
- 1998 ยทA Rather English Marriageas Liz Franks
- 1998 ยทAbsolutely Fabulous: A Lifeas Patsy Stone (archive footage)
- 1998 ยทComing Homeas Diana Carey-Lewis
- 1998 ยทParkinsonas Self
- 1997 ยทJoanna Lumley in the Kingdom of the Thunderdragonas Herself
- 1997 ยทPrince Valiantas Morgan Le Fey
- 1997 ยทJonathan Creekas Rosalind Tartikoff
- 1997 ยทThe Forgotten Toysas Annie (voice)
- 1996 ยทAbsolutely Fabulous: The Last Shoutas Patsy Stone
- 1996 ยทJames and the Giant Peachas Aunt Spiker
- 1995 ยทInnocent Liesas Lady Helena Graves
- 1995 ยทThe Mrs Merton Showas Self
- 1995 ยทHow to Be Absolutely Fabulousas Patsy Stone (archive footage)
- 1994 ยทGirl Fridayas Presenter
- 1994 ยทClass Actas Kate Swift
- 1992 ยทAbsolutely Fabulousas Patsy
- 1990 ยทCluedoas Mrs. Peacock
- 1990 ยทPlunderas
- 1989 ยทShirley Valentineas Marjorie Majors
- 1988 ยทRoseanneas
- 1988 ยทComic Reliefas
- 1987 ยทGoing Live!as Self
- 1987 ยทFrench & Saundersas Self
- 1986 ยทLovejoyas Victoria Cavero
- 1984 ยทOxbridge Bluesas Gigi
- 1984 ยทMistral's Daughteras Lally Longbridge
- 1983 ยทThe Weather in the Streetsas Kate
- 1983 ยทCurse of the Pink Pantheras Countess Chandra
- 1982 ยทTrail of the Pink Pantheras Marie Jouvet
- 1982 ยทWoganas Self
- 1982 ยทWoganas Self - Presenter
- 1982 ยทElectric Blue - The Movieas (archive footage)
- 1982 ยทThe Kenny Everett Television Showas Various
- 1982 ยทChamps-Elysรฉesas Self
- 1980 ยทAn Audience with Dame Edna Everageas
- 1980 ยทElectric Blue 002as (archive footage)
- 1979 ยทSapphire & Steelas Sapphire
- 1978 ยทAn Audience with...as Self
- 1976 ยทThe New Avengersas Purdey
- 1973 ยทThe Satanic Rites of Draculaas Jessica Van Helsing
- 1973 ยทDon't Just Lie There, Say Something!as Miss Parkyn
- 1972 ยทAre You Being Served?as Miss French
- 1971 ยทGames That Lovers Playas Fanny Hill
- 1970 ยทThe Breaking of Bumboas Susie
- 1969 ยทOn Her Majesty's Secret Serviceas The English Girl
- 1962 ยทSteptoe and Sonas Bunty
- 1961 ยทThe Avengersas Purdey
- 1956 ยทEurovision Song Contestas Self - UKโs Spokesperson
- 1956 ยทTony Awardsas Self - Nominee
- 1949 ยทThe BAFTA Awardsas Host
- Future ยทThe Snowman Live Stage Showas Narrator
- Future ยทThe body in the libraryas