Lipman, Maureen (1946–)
Lipman, Maureen (1946–)
English actress. Born Maureen Diane Lipman, May 10, 1946, in Hull, Yorkshire, England; dau. of Zelma Lipman; attended London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art; m. Jack Rosenthal (playwright), 1973 (died 2004); children: Adam and Amy Rosenthal (playwright).
Versatile actress and comedy writer, made film debut in Up the Junction (1967) and theatrical debut in The Knack (1969); debuted on West End in Shaw's Candide (1976); won acclaim for portrayal of Maggie in Outside Edge (1978) and received Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy Performance for See How They Run (1985); appeared in one-woman shows, Re: Joyce (1988), about Joyce Grenfell, and Alive and Kidding (1997), which was nominated for another Olivier Award (1998); on tv, starred in "All at Number 20" (1986–89) and "Agony Again" (1995); wrote several books, including How Was It for You? (1985) and When's It Coming Out? (1992), and columns for Options, She and Good Housekeeping; won BAFTA award for British Telecom commercials; films include Educating Rita (1983), Solomon and Gaenor (1999) and The Pianist (2002); often appeared in husband's plays, including The Evacuees, as well daughter's play, Sitting Pretty (2001); starred in Throughly Modern Millie (2003), for which she was nominated for Laurence Olivier Theater Award. Made Commander of British Empire (CBE, 1999).