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Linda Bassett

Highest Rated: 86% Alive and Kicking (1996)

Lowest Rated: 26% Mary Reilly (1996)

Birthday: Feb 4, 1950

Birthplace: Kent, England, UK

Though born in Pluckley, a small village in Kent, England, Linda Bassett moved early on to the Pimlico region of London. It was there the youngster developed a passion for drama, as she and her family often watched classic plays at the Old Vic Theatre (where Bassett eventually found work as an usher). Her passion for acting blossomed during her Old Vic tenure, and after one year at Leeds University (as an English student), Bassett dropped out of school to work with a community drama group. These years working in small, local productions were vastly important for the budding actress, who had never received "proper" training. In 1982, at age 32, Bassett finally broke through on Broadway, and she spent the rest of that decade building a solid stage and screen reputation. Transitioning to film came easily--her first big-screen role was a starring spot in the 1987 drama "Waiting for the Moon." Her work throughout the '90s, however, was typically of the TV variety, including one-off and multi-episode stints on popular programs like police procedural "The Bill" and detective drama "A Touch of Frost." Though well-respected by both her peers and critics, Bassett was never a household name during this period--but in 1999, she delivered her break-out film performance, earning a Best Actress BAFTA nomination for her role as Ella Khan. Throughout the '00s, Bassett continued to find quality character work in films like the 2008 drama "The Reader" and shows like the BBC sitcom "Grandma's House."

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Highest-Rated Movies

86% 66% Alive and Kicking
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80% 84% The Hours
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80% 51% Haunted
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80% 85% Beautiful People
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79% 78% East Is East
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74% 77% The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry Watchlist
73% 67% Calendar Girls
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72% 47% Separate Lies
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66% 65% Oscar and Lucinda
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63% 55% West Is West
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Filmography

Movies TV Shows
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry 74% 77% 2023 Queenie Actor Effie Gray 44% 41% 2014 Anna Actor West Is West 63% 55% 2010 Ella Khan Actor Kinky Boots 58% 74% 2005 Melanie Actor Separate Lies 72% 47% 2005 Maggie Actor The English Harem 2005 Monica Pringle Actor Spivs 53% 2004 Auntie Vee Actor Calendar Girls 73% 67% 2003 Cora Actor Entering Blue Zone 2003 Nurse Nina Actor The Hours 80% 84% 2002 Nelly Actor The Martins 52% 2001 Anthea Actor Don Quixote 38% 2000 The Housekeeper Actor Don Quijote 2000 Actor Beautiful People 80% 85% 1999 Nurse Actor East Is East 79% 78% 1999 Ella Actor The Life & Crimes of William Palmer 1998 Mary Thornton Actor Oscar and Lucinda 66% 65% 1997 Betty Stratton Actor Loved Up 1996 Mother Actor Mary Reilly 26% 40% 1996 Mary's Mother Actor Alive and Kicking 86% 66% 1996 Doctor Actor Haunted 80% 51% 1995 Madame Brontski Actor A Small Dance 1991 Sandra Matkin Actor Traffik 80% 1989 Actor Paris by Night 1988 Janet Swanton Actor Waiting for the Moon 44% 77% 1987 Gertrude Stein Actor
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