Conversation | 04/15/2008 11:18 am

Helen Mirren: 'Awards Are Wonderful ... But They Are Not the Main Course'

Dearest Liz,

After much rushing, finishing my husband’s film, promoting my book in New York, and then enduring six-hour costume fittings here in Germany, and shooting the first week of a fabulously emotional role as Tolstoy’s wife, I finally have a moment with my computer to answer your questions, so here goes …

LIZ: Did you have more fun at the Academy Awards this year or last year when you won for "The Queen"?

HELEN: Last year at the Academy Awards was probably the best night of my life and I floated on a cloud; nothing could be better than that! Having said that, the "Dame in Red" had a grand time this year, the highlight being the honor of presenting an Academy Award to my countryman [Daniel Day-Lewis], and one of the film world’s greatest actors.

LIZ: How does it feel now to have the Oscar, the Golden Globe awards, several Emmys, the BAFTA awards, the SAG awards and everything else all behind you for your great efforts in "Prime Suspect," "The Queen" and "Elizabeth I"? Where do you keep these things? Can you now rest on your laurels and your neat little behind?

HELEN: Darling Liz, who gets everything else right, my behind is neither neat nor little. However, you know awards are wonderful things to receive, a delicious dessert at the end of a dinner, but they are not the main course. They have to find the right place both in the home and in your professional life. In the home they should never be center, front of the mantelpiece, and in your professional life likewise.

Mine are actually spread around a bit, between L.A. and London, where Taylor and I also have a home. My Oscar is in London, I think at the moment standing halfway up the stairs. He tends to move around a bit, and I suspect has struck up a "Bronnie" relationship with the SAG "Actor" I also have in London.
(I hope you have watched "Make Me a Supermodel" to understand a Bronnie relationship!)

LIZ: You are finishing up playing a madam of a whorehouse in Nevada in "Love Ranch." What’s the difference in being a royal queen and a royal prostitute?

HELEN: Not much! Both are the CEOs of their realm. Our queen of Britain has far more constrictions on how she behaves, but in the end, people are people, and our job as actors is to reveal their humanity.

48 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Nice interview - I think America would like to appropriate Ms Mirren!

By fiona R on 04/15/2008 2:45 pm

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Well, Dame Missy, I went and ordered your book, and at $38 and change, I must say I was a little taken aback. I do think it’s out of reach for many, but Ladies (see other postings today as to terminology), my old trick is this: Go request her new book from your library, and get your friends to. It’s a simple process, it supports Dame Helen, you get to read the book and share with friends, and it supports the library. I also have a standing order with my local bookstore to purchase one book a month for my branch library as a donation. I also offer them any “first-run” hardcovers as donations. Anything they refuse goes for resale to Amazon.com.

By Mugsy Peabody on 04/15/2008 4:03 pm

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Love that dame!Thanks Liz for the interview.

By Jeannot Kensinger on 04/15/2008 4:04 pm

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The women’s movement forward (Jane Austin to Helen Mirren) is maybe best demonstrated by Dame Helen’s being awarded the knighthood (is that what it is?) on the merits of her own talent, hard work, and success, rather than on inheritance or marriage. Brava.

By Mugsy Peabody on 04/15/2008 4:28 pm

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Liz, Thank you ever so much for bringing the wonderful Helen Mirren to the neighborhood. You are a Peach! Helen and Liz. Here is a poem that you may well be familiar with. It came to mind as I thought of each of you today. Phenomenal Woman - by Maya Angelou Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size But when I start to tell them, They think I’m telling lies. I say, It’s in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me. Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can’t touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can’t see. I say, It’s in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me. Now you understand Just why my head’s not bowed. I don’t shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It’s in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, ‘Cause I’m a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That’s me.

By E . on 04/15/2008 6:29 pm

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Thank you Liz for a lovely interview. Thank you Helen Mirrin for doing it. You are a great lady, a great actor. My mother was a great lady, very bright and rather nutty, who went everywhere, and knew all sorts of creative people and people from all classes and ethnic groups. Her take on who she was while visiting a strange little junk store, when asked, “What’s a lady like you doing here?” was: “My dear, a LADY can go anywhere.” That is how I see you — and I shall never forget seeing you hooking arms with Ed Bradley at the end of your “60 Minutes” interview, with a little laugh…then walking together toward the sunset. Absolutely CHARMING! I wish my dear mother had been here to see you.

By Peg C on 04/15/2008 6:52 pm

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Ah, I had forgotten, my mother did see you…in “Caligula” — and no doubt remarked on your acting, as she loved Masterpiece Theatre and we had many discussions about all the plays. Oh, and another thought, I have ordered your book and can’t wait to look at it….and read about the photos.

By Peg C on 04/15/2008 6:57 pm

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Great combo: Mirren & Smith.Can we have more? Harriet C.

By Harriet C. on 04/15/2008 8:33 pm

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I’ve been hoping for Mirren and Streep.

By Mugsy Peabody on 04/16/2008 10:25 pm

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Wonderful, the interview and Helen Mirren. I am just mesmerized every time I see her act. I can’t wait to read her book.

By DL L on 04/15/2008 8:52 pm

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Thank you Liz for the gift of your interview with the incomparable Dame Helen. We are fortunate to have a group (family,gaggle, brace???) of mature women actors in the U.S. and U.K. who have perfected their craft so well that any vehicle they perform in is outstanding. Helen Mirren is at the top of my list. I will watch any TV program, attend any film or performance, listen to any tape in which she appears. It’s always a pleasure and I hope she knows how much she is appreciated by American women in her chronological circle! She’s also funny and charming whenever she’s interviewed. So, thanks to you both…can’t wait to read your autobiography, Dame Helen!

By Maurine H on 04/15/2008 9:06 pm

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I am a big fan of Helen Mirren and I look forward to reading her book. Thanks for the interview.

By Linda Bauer on 04/15/2008 9:07 pm

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Thank you, wowowow, and Liz Smith and Helen Mirren for the wonderful interview. I am a fan of this talented actress. For those of you who want to now more about Helen Mirren, there is a web site called the Helen Mirren Appreciation Society. It is filled with interesting discussions of Helen Mirren’s career.

By Wendy Wilson on 04/15/2008 9:15 pm

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Helen Mirren, thank you.

By Renata on 04/15/2008 10:06 pm

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This was a kick ass interview! I love the work that Ms. Mirren does and I would see her in a land fill in New Jersey reading the phone book if I knew she was going to be there live! I wish her all the best!

By Renee B on 04/15/2008 10:12 pm