Leslie Anne Down
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Lesley-Anne Down (born 17 March 1954) is a British actress and singer. She made her motion picture debut in the 1969 drama film ''
The Smashing Bird I Used to Know ''The Smashing Bird I Used to Know'' is a 1969 British drama/sexploitation film, directed by Robert Hartford-Davis and starring Renée Asherson, Patrick Mower, Dennis Waterman, Madeleine Hinde and Maureen Lipman. It was written by John Peacock ...
'' and later appeared in films ''
Assault In the terminology of law, an assault is the act of causing physical harm or consent, unwanted physical contact to another person, or, in some legal definitions, the threat or attempt to do so. It is both a crime and a tort and, therefore, may ...
'' (1971), '' Countess Dracula'' (1971) and ''
Pope Joan Pope Joan (''Ioannes Anglicus'', 855–857) is a woman who purportedly reigned as popess (female pope) for two years during the Middle Ages. Her story first appeared in chronicles in the 13th century and subsequently spread throughout Europe. ...
'' (1972). She achieved fame as Georgina Worsley in the ITV period drama series, '' Upstairs, Downstairs'' (1973–75). Down received further recognition for her performances in the films ''
The Pink Panther Strikes Again ''The Pink Panther Strikes Again'' is the fifth crime comedy film in ''The Pink Panther'' series, released in December, 1976. Set three years after the conclusion of '' The Return of the Pink Panther'' (1975), unused footage from the film was ...
'' (1976), ''
A Little Night Music ''A Little Night Music'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. Inspired by the 1955 Ingmar Bergman film '' Smiles of a Summer Night'', it involves the romantic lives of several couples. Its title is a ...
'' (1977), ''
The First Great Train Robbery ''The First Great Train Robbery'' (known in the United States as ''The Great Train Robbery'') is a 1978 British heist comedy film directed by Michael Crichton, who also wrote the screenplay based on his 1975 novel '' The Great Train Robbery' ...
'' (1978), '' Hanover Street'' (1979), ''
Rough Cut In filmmaking, the rough cut (also known as the first cut or editor's cut) is the second of three stages of offline editing. The term originates from the early days of filmmaking when film stock was physically cut and reassembled, but is still ...
'' (1980), ''
Sphinx A sphinx ( ; , ; or sphinges ) is a mythical creature with the head of a human, the body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle. In Culture of Greece, Greek tradition, the sphinx is a treacherous and merciless being with the head of a woman, th ...
'' (1981) and ''
Nomads Nomads are communities without fixed habitation who regularly move to and from areas. Such groups include hunter-gatherers, Nomadic pastoralism, pastoral nomads (owning livestock), tinkers and Merchant, trader nomads. In the twentieth century, ...
'' (1986). On television, she played the leading roles in '' The One and Only Phyllis Dixey'' (1978), '' The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' (1982), ''
Murder Is Easy ''Murder Is Easy'' is a detective fiction novel by Agatha Christie first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in June 1939, and in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in September the same year under the title ''Easy to Kill''. Christie ...
'' (1982), and most notably starred as Madeline Fabray in one of the highest rated miniseries in TV history '' North and South'' (1985–86), for which she was nominated for a
Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally held every Janua ...
in 1986. In 1990, Down played the role Stephanie Rogers in the
CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS (an abbreviation of its original name, Columbia Broadcasting System), is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainme ...
drama series ''
Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...
''. During 1997–99, she played
Olivia Richards Olivia Richards (also Blake) is a fictional character from the US NBC soap opera '' Sunset Beach'', played by Lesley-Anne Down. Character development In November 1996, it was announced that Lesley-Anne Down had been cast into the role of Olivia. ...
in the
NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. It is one of NBCUniversal's ...
soap opera '' Sunset Beach''. From April 2003 to February 2012, she portrayed
Jackie Marone Jackie Marone is a fictional character in the CBS soap opera ''The Bold and the Beautiful'', portrayed by British actress Lesley-Anne Down. She first appeared on April 1, 2003, and departed in 2012 after Down's contract was not renewed. Casting ...
in the CBS soap opera ''
The Bold and the Beautiful ''The Bold and the Beautiful'' (often referred to as ''B&B'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. It premiered on March 23, 1987, as a sister show to the Bells' other soap opera ''Th ...
''.


Life and career


Early life

Down was born on 17 March 1954 and brought up in Wandsworth, London, England. She began acting and modelling, and in her teenage years won several
beauty pageants A beauty pageant is a competition in which the contestants are judged and ranked based on various physical and mental attributes. Per its name, beauty pageants traditionally focus on judging the contestants' physical attractiveness, sometimes sol ...
. She was voted Britain's most beautiful teenager at the age of 15. Down left school at 15 and came to America for the first time at 17. In 1969, she made her feature film debut in a supporting role in the British drama sexploitation film ''
The Smashing Bird I Used to Know ''The Smashing Bird I Used to Know'' is a 1969 British drama/sexploitation film, directed by Robert Hartford-Davis and starring Renée Asherson, Patrick Mower, Dennis Waterman, Madeleine Hinde and Maureen Lipman. It was written by John Peacock ...
''.


1970s

In 1971, Down guest-starred in the British television series '' Six Dates with Barker'', ''
Out of the Unknown ''Out of the Unknown'' is a British television science fiction and horror anthology drama series, produced by the BBC and broadcast on BBC2 in four series between 1965 and 1971. Most episodes of the first three series were dramatisations of s ...
'', and '' Public Eye''. Also that year, she starred in three movies: first was '' Countess Dracula'', a horror film based on some of the legends surrounding the Countess
Elizabeth Báthory Countess Elizabeth Báthory of Ecsed (, ; ; 7 August 1560 – 21 August 1614) was a Hungarian noblewoman and alleged serial killer from the powerful House of Báthory, who owned land in the Kingdom of Hungary (now Slovakia). Báthory and fo ...
playing the role of Elisabeth's daughter. She starred in the thriller film ''
Assault In the terminology of law, an assault is the act of causing physical harm or consent, unwanted physical contact to another person, or, in some legal definitions, the threat or attempt to do so. It is both a crime and a tort and, therefore, may ...
'' playing the role of schoolgirl who was raped on her way home from school. She also had a supporting role in the
20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc., formerly 20th Century Fox, is an American film studio, film production and Film distributor, distribution company owned by the Walt Disney Studios (division), Walt Disney Studios, the film studios division of the ...
's drama film ''
All the Right Noises ''All the Right Noises'' is a 1971 British romantic drama film written and directed by Gerry O'Hara and starring Tom Bell, Olivia Hussey, Judy Carne and John Standing. Plot Len Lewin is a man happily married to his wife Joy and father of two ...
''. In 1972, Down starred in the historical drama film ''
Pope Joan Pope Joan (''Ioannes Anglicus'', 855–857) is a woman who purportedly reigned as popess (female pope) for two years during the Middle Ages. Her story first appeared in chronicles in the 13th century and subsequently spread throughout Europe. ...
'' opposite
Liv Ullmann Liv Johanne Ullmann (born 16 December 1938) is a Norwegian actress and filmmaker. Recognised as one of the greatest European actresses of all time, Ullmann is known as the muse and frequent collaborator of filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, whom she date ...
and
Olivia de Havilland Dame Olivia Mary de Havilland (; July 1, 1916July 26, 2020) was a British and American actress. The major works of her cinematic career spanned from 1935 to 1988. She appeared in 49 feature films and was one of the leading actresses of her tim ...
. In 1973, she appeared in the Western film ''
Scalawag In United States history, scalawag (sometimes spelled scallawag or scallywag) was a pejorative slur referred to white Southerners who supported Reconstruction policies and efforts after the conclusion of the American Civil War. As with the t ...
'' starring and directed by
Kirk Douglas Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch; December 9, 1916 – February 5, 2020) was an American actor and filmmaker. After an impoverished childhood, he made his film debut in '' The Strange Love of Martha Ivers'' (1946) with Barbara Stanwyck. ...
. In 1973, Down was cast as Georgina Worsley in the
Emmy Award The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the year, each with their own set of rules and award categor ...
-winning British period drama series, '' Upstairs, Downstairs''. She made her debut in the episode "
Goodwill to All Men Goodwill or good will may refer to: * Goodwill (accounting), the value of a business entity not directly attributable to its assets and liabilities * Goodwill ambassador, occupation or title of a person that advocates a cause * Goodwill Games, a f ...
" in December 1973. In 1974, she appeared in the anthology horror film ''
From Beyond the Grave ''From Beyond the Grave'' (also known as ''The Creatures from beyond the Grave'') is a 1974 British anthology horror film from Amicus Productions, directed by Kevin Connor, produced by Milton Subotsky and based on short stories by R. Chetwynd ...
'' and the following year had supporting role in the action thriller '' Brannigan''. Her television appearances includes '' Bedtime Stories'', ''
The Sweeney ''The Sweeney'' is a British police drama television series focusing on two members of the Flying Squad, a branch of the Metropolitan Police specialising in tackling armed robbery and violent crime in London. It stars John Thaw as Detective ...
'' and ''
When the Boat Comes In ''When the Boat Comes In'' is a British television period drama produced by the BBC between 8 January 1976 and 21 April 1981. Across the whole series, events are set in the time period from 1919 to 1937. The series stars James Bolam as Jack Fo ...
''. Her fame led to a nude photoshoot for the magazine ''Mayfair'' in 1975. ''Upstairs, Downstairs'' was her career breakthrough; after the show ended in 1975, she moved to Hollywood and began her film career. In 1976, Down starred in the comedy film ''
The Pink Panther Strikes Again ''The Pink Panther Strikes Again'' is the fifth crime comedy film in ''The Pink Panther'' series, released in December, 1976. Set three years after the conclusion of '' The Return of the Pink Panther'' (1975), unused footage from the film was ...
'' opposite
Peter Sellers Peter Sellers (born Richard Henry Sellers; 8 September 1925 – 24 July 1980) was an English actor and comedian. He first came to prominence performing in the BBC Radio comedy series ''The Goon Show''. Sellers featured on a number of hit comi ...
. The film was released by United Artists, received positive reviews from critics and grossed $75 million worldwide. The following year she starred in the musical comedy film ''
A Little Night Music ''A Little Night Music'' is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by Hugh Wheeler. Inspired by the 1955 Ingmar Bergman film '' Smiles of a Summer Night'', it involves the romantic lives of several couples. Its title is a ...
'' starring opposite
Elizabeth Taylor Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (February 27, 1932 – March 23, 2011) was an English and American actress. She began her career as a child actress in the early 1940s and was one of the most popular stars of classical Hollywood cinema in the 19 ...
in the adaptation of
Stephen Sondheim Stephen Joshua Sondheim (; March22, 1930November26, 2021) was an American composer and lyricist. Regarded as one of the most important figures in 20th-century musical theater, he is credited with reinventing the American musical. He received Lis ...
's 1973 musical of the same name. The film received mostly negative reviews. In 1978, Down played the leading role of burlesque artist
Phyllis Dixey Phyllis Dixey (10 February 1914 – 2 June 1964) was an English singer, actress, dancer and impresario. Her earlier career was as a singer in variety shows in Britain. During World War II, she joined ENSA and entertained the British forces. She ...
in the BAFTA Award-nominated made-for-television drama film, '' The One and Only Phyllis Dixey''. She appeared in the romantic drama film ''
The Betsy ''The Betsy'' is a 1978 American romantic drama film directed by Daniel Petrie, from a screenplay by William Bast and Walter Bernstein, based on the 1971 novel of the same title by Harold Robbins. It stars Laurence Olivier as a retired auto ...
'' and played the female lead opposite
Sean Connery Sir Thomas Sean Connery (25 August 1930 – 31 October 2020) was a Scottish actor. He was the first actor to Portrayal of James Bond in film, portray the fictional British secret agent James Bond (literary character), James Bond in motion pic ...
in the heist comedy film ''
The First Great Train Robbery ''The First Great Train Robbery'' (known in the United States as ''The Great Train Robbery'') is a 1978 British heist comedy film directed by Michael Crichton, who also wrote the screenplay based on his 1975 novel '' The Great Train Robbery' ...
''. The latter received positive reviews from critics and Downs' performance was noted by
Roger Ebert Roger Joseph Ebert ( ; June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was an American Film criticism, film critic, film historian, journalist, essayist, screenwriter and author. He wrote for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' from 1967 until his death in 2013. Eber ...
of the ''
Chicago Sun-Times The ''Chicago Sun-Times'' is a daily nonprofit newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Since 2022, it is the flagship paper of Chicago Public Media, and has long held the second largest circulation among Chicago newspaper ...
''.
Vincent Canby Vincent Canby (July 27, 1924 – October 15, 2000) was an American film and theatre critic who was the chief film critic for ''The New York Times'' from 1969 until the early 1990s, then its chief theatre critic from 1994 until his death in 2000. ...
of ''
The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'' wrote: "Mr. Sutherland, as the none-too-bright locksmith, and Miss Down, who must appear in several figuratively transparent disguises, have fun with what are, in effect, character roles. The three work together beautifully." In 1979, Down starred opposite
Harrison Ford Harrison Ford (born July 13, 1942) is an American actor. Regarded as a cinematic cultural icon, he has starred in Harrison Ford filmography, many notable films over seven decades, and is one of List of highest-grossing actors, the highest-gr ...
in the romantic war drama film '' Hanover Street'', it received mixed-to-positive reviews and was considered a box-office failure.


1980s

In 1980, Down starred opposite
Burt Reynolds Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. (February 11, 1936 â€“ September 6, 2018) was an American actor most famous during the 1970s and 1980s. He became well known in television series such as ''Gunsmoke'' (1962–1965), '' Hawk'' (1966) and '' Dan Augus ...
in the crime comedy film ''
Rough Cut In filmmaking, the rough cut (also known as the first cut or editor's cut) is the second of three stages of offline editing. The term originates from the early days of filmmaking when film stock was physically cut and reassembled, but is still ...
''. Gary Arnold of ''
The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...
'' wrote: "Lesley-Anne Down often looks as ravishing as Ava Gardner in her prime. The heady sensation created when her generous lips expand into a brilliant smile is an incidental pleasure well worth overindulging, but it would be even better if she had a role that permitted her more relaxation and confidence (and a costumer and hairdresser who consistently enhanced her beauty). The heroine's dialogue seems to have been contrived under the influence of vague recollections of Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief." The role affects an hauteur that doesn't become Lesley-Anne Down somehow. It also appears to tax her acting technique, which isn't nearly as sleek as Kelly's. I suspect that the very idea of presenting her as a bitchy-elegant society girl inhibits Down rather more than it flatters her. There are moments when she seems to stiffen up as severely as Kim Novak at her least secure." In 1981, Down went to star in the adventure film ''
Sphinx A sphinx ( ; , ; or sphinges ) is a mythical creature with the head of a human, the body of a lion, and the wings of an eagle. In Culture of Greece, Greek tradition, the sphinx is a treacherous and merciless being with the head of a woman, th ...
'' directed by
Franklin J. Schaffner Franklin James Schaffner (May 30, 1920July 2, 1989) was an American film, television, and stage director. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for '' Patton'' (1970), and is known for the films ''Planet of the Apes'' (1968), '' Nicholas and ...
and based on the 1979 novel of the same name by
Robin Cook Robert Finlayson "Robin" Cook (28 February 19466 August 2005) was a British Labour Party politician who served as a Member of Parliament (MP) from 1974 until his death in 2005 and served in the Cabinet as Foreign Secretary from 1997 until ...
. Down played Egyptologist researching a paper about the chief architect to Pharaoh Seti in the movie. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. Vincent Canby of ''The New York Times'' wrote: "The performers are terrible, none more so than Mr. Langella, who is supposed to be mysterious and romantic but behaves with all of the charm of a room clerk at the Nile Hilton. Miss Down spends a good deal of her time going, ''Eeeeeeek!'' and is frequently hysterical - Egyptian room service being especially maddening. At her best, she reminds one of Jacqueline Bisset, but unlike Miss Bisset, who has survived many movies like this with her identity intact, Miss Down seems to dissolve as the film lurches on. By the end, I was sure she was Jacqueline Bisset." After ''Sphinx'', Down returned to television playing British socialite
Unity Mitford Unity Valkyrie Freeman-Mitford (8 August 1914 – 28 May 1948) was a British fascist and socialite and member of the Mitford family known for her relationship with Adolf Hitler. Born in the United Kingdom, she was a prominent supporter of Nazis ...
in an episode of anthology series ''
BBC2 Playhouse ''BBC2 Playhouse'' is a British anthology television series of one-hour episodes produced by the BBC. Among its many performers were Helen Mirren, Daniel Day-Lewis, Judi Dench, Liam Neeson, Paul Scofield, Deborah Kerr, Ben Kingsley, Donald ...
''. The following year she starred in
Agatha Christie Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 â€“ 12 January 1976) was an English people, English author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving ...
' ''
Murder Is Easy ''Murder Is Easy'' is a detective fiction novel by Agatha Christie first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in June 1939, and in the US by Dodd, Mead and Company in September the same year under the title ''Easy to Kill''. Christie ...
'' and played the role of Esméralda in an American production of '' The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' opposite
Anthony Hopkins Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins (born 31 December 1937) is a Welsh actor. Considered one of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actors, he is known for List of Anthony Hopkins performances, his performances on the screen and stage. Hopkins ha ...
. In 1984, Down again starred with Anthony Hopkins, this time in the romantic war drama ''
Arch of Triumph Arch of Triumph may refer to: * Triumphal arch, a monumental structure in the shape of an arch Structures * Arc de Triomf, an 1888 structure in Barcelona, Spain * Arc de Triomphe, an 1836 structure in the Place Charles de Gaulle, Paris, France * ...
'' based on the novel ''
Arch of Triumph Arch of Triumph may refer to: * Triumphal arch, a monumental structure in the shape of an arch Structures * Arc de Triomf, an 1888 structure in Barcelona, Spain * Arc de Triomphe, an 1836 structure in the Place Charles de Gaulle, Paris, France * ...
'' by
Erich Maria Remarque Erich Maria Remarque (; ; born Erich Paul Remark; 22 June 1898 â€“ 25 September 1970) was a German novelist. His landmark novel '' All Quiet on the Western Front'' (1928), based on his experience in the Imperial German Army during World War ...
. Later that year, she appeared in the ABC miniseries, ''
The Last Days of Pompeii ''The Last Days of Pompeii'' is a novel written by Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1834. The novel was inspired by the painting '' The Last Day of Pompeii'' by the Russian painter Karl Briullov, which Bulwer-Lytton had seen in Milan. It culminates in ...
''. She also appeared onstage in ''Hamlet'' and a musical version of ''
Great Expectations ''Great Expectations'' is the thirteenth novel by English author Charles Dickens and his penultimate completed novel. The novel is a bildungsroman and depicts the education of an orphan nicknamed Pip. It is Dickens' second novel, after ''Dav ...
''. In 1985, Down starred as Madeline Fabray LaMotte in the ABC miniseries, '' North and South'' based on the 1980s
trilogy A trilogy is a set of three distinct works that are connected and can be seen either as a single work or as three individual works. They are commonly found in literature, film, and video games. Three-part works that are considered components of ...
of novels '' North and South'' by
John Jakes John William Jakes (March 31, 1932 – March 11, 2023) was an American writer, best known for historical and speculative fiction. His American Civil War trilogy, '' North and South'', has sold millions of copies worldwide. He was also the author ...
. The following year the sequel miniseries was released. The 1985 first installment, ''North and South'', remains the seventh-highest rated miniseries in TV history. For her performance she received positive reviews and was nominated for a
Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are awards presented for excellence in both international film and television. It is an annual award ceremony held since 1944 to honor artists and professionals and their work. The ceremony is normally held every Janua ...
for Best Supporting Actress – Television in 1986. During the filming of the miniseries, Down's divorce from film director
William Friedkin William David Friedkin (; August 29, 1935 – August 7, 2023) was an American film, television and opera director, producer, and screenwriter who was closely identified with the "New Hollywood" movement of the 1970s. Beginning his career in doc ...
received wide press coverage. Allegations of adultery, drug use and violence accompanied Down and Friedkin's acrimonious battle for full custody of their son in the divorce proceedings. In 1986, she returned to big screen starring alongside
Pierce Brosnan Pierce Brendan Brosnan (born 16 May 1953) is an Irish actor and film producer. He was the fifth actor to play the fictional secret agent Portrayal of James Bond in film, James Bond in the List of James Bond films, James Bond film series, starri ...
in the horror film ''
Nomads Nomads are communities without fixed habitation who regularly move to and from areas. Such groups include hunter-gatherers, Nomadic pastoralism, pastoral nomads (owning livestock), tinkers and Merchant, trader nomads. In the twentieth century, ...
'' written and directed by
John McTiernan John Campbell McTiernan Jr. (born January 8, 1951) is an American former filmmaker best known for his action films. His work as director includes ''Predator (film), Predator'' (1987), ''Die Hard'' (1988), and ''The Hunt for Red October (film), ...
. In 1988 she starred in the made-for-television remake of the 1958 romantic comedy '' Indiscreet''. The ''
Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...
'' said: "The vapidity of both eadperformances is magnified by come-hither camera shots that linger too long on their empty faces... Down has a little more flounce to the ounce, but the best she can do as a woman deceived is to fly into a deep snit. Production values evoke the silky-bland noblesse oblige that has been canonized for TV by "
Dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family, usually in the context of a monarchy, monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A dynasty may also be referred to as a "house", "family" or "clan", among others. H ...
" and "
Knots Landing ''Knots Landing'' is an American primetime television soap opera that aired on CBS from December 27, 1979, to May 13, 1993. A spin-off of ''Dallas (TV series), Dallas'', it was set in a fictitious coastal suburb of Los Angeles and initially cente ...
"." Also that year, Down starred alongside
Marilu Henner Marilu Henner (born April 6, 1952) is an American actress and author. She began her career appearing in the original production of the musical ''Grease (musical), Grease'' in 1971, before making her screen debut in the 1977 comedy-drama film ''B ...
and
Susan Blakely Susan Blakely (born September 7, 1948) is an American actress. She is best known for her leading role in the 1976 ABC miniseries '' Rich Man, Poor Man'', for which she received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama a ...
in the crime television film '' Ladykillers'' and later appeared in ''Night Walk'' (1989).


1990s

In 1990, Down was cast as a series regular for a limited run in the CBS primetime soap opera ''
Dallas Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...
'' as Stephanie Rogers. She earned a quarter of a million dollars' salary for a 10-week shoot. She starred in the unsuccessful television comedy pilot ''
1775 Events Summary The American Revolutionary War began this year, with the first military engagement on April 19 Battles of Lexington and Concord on the day after Paul Revere's ride. The Second Continental Congress took various steps tow ...
'' (1992) set in colonial Philadelphia during the run-up to the American Revolution. She guest-starred on the CBS series ''
The Nanny ''The Nanny'' is an American sitcom that originally aired on CBS from November 3, 1993, to June 23, 1999, starring Fran Drescher as Fran Fine, a Jewish wikt:fashionista, fashionista from Flushing, Queens, who becomes the nanny of three children ...
'' and '' Diagnosis: Murder''. She returned to cinema starring in the thriller film ''
Over the Line ''Over the Line'' is a 1993 American Thriller (genre), thriller film directed by Ovidio G. Assonitis and Roberto D'Ettorre Piazzoli. It stars Lesley-Anne Down as Elaine Patterson, a college professor who works in prison as a literary teacher for ...
''. Down later starred in the smaller-scale films ''
Night Trap ''Night Trap'' is a 1992 interactive movie developed by Digital Pictures and published by Sega for the Sega CD. Presented primarily through full-motion video (FMV), ''Night Trap'' has the player observe teenage girls having a sleepover visitin ...
'' (1993), ''
Munchie Strikes Back ''Munchie Strikes Back'' is a 1994 American comedy feature film directed by Jim Wynorski and written by Wynorski and R. J. Robertson, as a sequel to '' Munchie''. While Dom DeLuise provided the voice of Munchie in the first movie, this time it was ...
'' (1994) '' In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful'' (1994), and '' The Secret Agent Club'' (1996). In 1994 she returned to her role as Madeline Fabray LaMotte in the ABC miniseries, '' Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III''. The final part received mostly mixed-to-negative reception, but her appearance was noted by ''
Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...
''. Also in 1994, Down starred opposite
Charles Bronson Charles Bronson (born Charles Dennis Buchinsky; November 3, 1921 – August 30, 2003) was an American actor. He was known for his roles in action films and his "granite features and brawny physique". Bronson was born into extreme poverty in ...
in the action thriller film '' Death Wish V: The Face of Death'', the fifth and final installment in the ''Death Wish'' film series. ''Death Wish V'' was universally panned and holds a rare 0% rating on
Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review aggregator, review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee ...
based on reviews from 5 critics. The following year she appeared in his made-for-television movie ''
Family of Cops Family (from ) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). It forms the basis for social order. Ideally, families offer predictability, structure, and safety ...
''. In 1996, she appeared in the sword and sorcery television film '' Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus'', a sequel to the 1982 film ''
The Beastmaster ''The Beastmaster'' is a 1982 American-West German sword and sorcery film directed by Don Coscarelli and starring Marc Singer, Tanya Roberts, John Amos and Rip Torn. Loosely based on the 1959 novel ''The Beast Master'' by Alice "Andre" Norton, ...
''. In 1996,
Aaron Spelling Aaron Spelling (April 22, 1923June 23, 2006) was an American film and television producer and occasional actor. His productions included the television series ''Family'' (1976–1980), ''Charlie's Angels'' (1976–1981), ''The Love Boat'' (1977†...
cast her as
Olivia Richards Olivia Richards (also Blake) is a fictional character from the US NBC soap opera '' Sunset Beach'', played by Lesley-Anne Down. Character development In November 1996, it was announced that Lesley-Anne Down had been cast into the role of Olivia. ...
on his new daytime soap opera, '' Sunset Beach''. Her character was the mix of
Sue Ellen Ewing Sue Ellen Ewing is a fictional character and one of the female leads in the CBS primetime soap opera ''Dallas (TV series), Dallas''. Sue Ellen was portrayed by Linda Gray and appeared on the show since its Dallas (1978 TV series) (season 1), pil ...
and
Alexis Colby Alexis Carrington Colby (née Morell, formerly Dexter and Rowan) is a fictional character on the American TV series ''Dynasty''. She is the ex-wife of Blake Carrington (John Forsythe) and her schemes cause one problem after another for him and t ...
of the 1980s prime time soaps.
Ken Tucker Kenneth Tucker is an American arts, music and television critic, magazine editor, and nonfiction book author. Early life and education Tucker was born in Manhattan, New York City, New York, and raised in Stamford, Connecticut. He earned a ...
of ''
Entertainment Weekly ''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American online magazine, digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, ...
'' wrote: "Chief among the large cast is Lesley-Anne Down, irresistible as a hooked-on-vodka matron who may or may not have murdered her lover." In 1997, for her portrayal of Olivia, Down won the award for "Best Actress" at the Soap Opera Update Awards. The series aired on NBC from January 1997 to December 1999. During the series, Down also appeared in the
Rodney Dangerfield Jack Roy (born Jacob Cohen; November 22, 1921 – October 5, 2004), better known by the stage name Rodney Dangerfield, was an American stand-up comedian, actor, screenwriter, and producer. He was known for his self-deprecating one-liner humor, ...
's comedy film ''
Meet Wally Sparks ''Meet Wally Sparks'' is a 1997 American comedy film directed by Peter Baldwin, written by Harry Basil and Rodney Dangerfield. It stars Dangerfield in the title role, with Debi Mazar, Michael Weatherly, Cindy Williams, Alan Rachins, Burt Reyno ...
'' (1997), and starred in the ''Young Hearts Unlimited'' (1998), a made-for-television family comedy film directed by third husband, Don E. FauntLeRoy.


2000s—present

After the cancellation of ''Sunset Beach'', Down appeared in films ''The King's Guard'' (2000), ''The Meeksville Ghost'' (2001) and ''
13th Child ''13th Child'' (or ''The 13th Child: Legend of the Jersey Devil'') is a 2002 direct-to-video horror film directed by Thomas Ashley and Steven Stockage. It is inspired by the Jersey Devil. The screenplay was written by Michael Maryk and Cliff Rob ...
'' (2002). She starred in two Lifetime movies: ''The Perfect Wife'' (2001) and ''You Belong to Me'' (2002) based on
Mary Higgins Clark Mary Higgins Clark (born Mary Theresa Eleanor Higgins; December 24, 1927 – January 31, 2020) was an American author of suspense novels. Each of her 51 books was a bestseller in the United States and various European countries, and all of her ...
's novel. In 2001, she guest-starred as Lady Sheraton in the NBC soap opera ''
Days of Our Lives ''Days of Our Lives'' (also stylized as ''Days of our Lives''; simply referred to as ''Days'' or ''DOOL'') is an American television soap opera that aired on the network NBC from November 8, 1965, to September 9, 2022; the soap has streamed n ...
'' appearing in five episodes. She had cameo appearances in Don E. FauntLeRoy-directed action films ''
Today You Die ''Today You Die'' is a 2005 American action film directed and shot by Don E. FauntLeRoy. The film stars Steven Seagal, who also produces with Randall Emmett, George Furla and Danny Lerner. It co-stars Treach, Sarah G. Buxton, Sarah Buxton, Mari ...
'' (2005) and ''
Mercenary for Justice ''Mercenary for Justice'' is a 2006 action thriller film directed and shot by Don E. FauntLeRoy. It stars Steven Seagal, Luke Goss, Jacqueline Lord and Roger Guenveur Smith. The film was released direct-to-video on April 18, 2006. Principal ph ...
'' (2006), both starred
Steven Seagal Steven Frederic Seagal ( ; born April 10, 1952) is an American actor, producer, screenwriter, martial artist, and musician. A 7th-Dan (rank), dan Black belt (martial arts), black belt in aikido, he began his adult life as a martial arts instru ...
. Down wrote screenplay and starred in the 2006 comedy-drama film '' Seven Days of Grace''. Filming began on March 17, 1996, 10 years before the eventual 2006 release of the film. The film was finally released to theaters on April 1, 2006. In 2003, Down was cast in another soap playing the role of
Jackie Marone Jackie Marone is a fictional character in the CBS soap opera ''The Bold and the Beautiful'', portrayed by British actress Lesley-Anne Down. She first appeared on April 1, 2003, and departed in 2012 after Down's contract was not renewed. Casting ...
on ''
The Bold and the Beautiful ''The Bold and the Beautiful'' (often referred to as ''B&B'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. It premiered on March 23, 1987, as a sister show to the Bells' other soap opera ''Th ...
'' on CBS. She first appeared on April 1, 2003. In January 2012, Down confirmed that she would be departing the programme. Her final appearance was on February 29, 2012. In 2011, Down appeared in the thriller film '' Rosewood Lane'' directed by
Victor Salva Victor Ronald Salva (born March 29, 1958) is an American film director, screenwriter and convicted sex offender. The self-described protégé of Francis Ford Coppola, he is best known for writing and directing the horror film, horror films ''Jeep ...
with
Rose McGowan Rósa Arianna McGowan (born September 5, 1973) is an American actress and activist. After her film debut in a brief role in the comedy ''Encino Man'' (1992), she achieved recognition for her performance in the dark comedy ''The Doom Generation' ...
,
Ray Wise Raymond Herbert Wise (born August 29, 1947) is an American actor best known for his role as Leland Palmer in ''Twin Peaks'' (1990–1991, Twin Peaks (season 3), 2017) and its prequel film ''Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me'' (1992). He has appeared ...
, and
Lauren Vélez Luna Lauren Vélez (born November 2, 1964) is an American actress. Her most notable television roles are as María LaGuerta on Showtime (TV network), Showtime's ''Dexter (TV series), Dexter'', Detective Nina Moreno on Fox Broadcasting Company, F ...
. She later starred in the horror film '' Dark House'' (2014), also directed by Victor Salva. She starred alongside
Kirsten Vangsness Kirsten Vangsness (born July 7, 1972) is an American actress and writer best known for her role as FBI Technical Analyst Penelope Garcia on CBS's ''Criminal Minds'', as well as the spin-off, '' Suspect Behavior'' and '' Beyond Borders''. Early ...
in the period black-and-white comedy film ''
Kill Me, Deadly ''Kill Me, Deadly'' is a 2015 American historical fiction neo-noir mystery black comedy film starring Kirsten Vangsness, Lesley-Anne Down, and Joe Mantegna. It is based on a 2009 play by Bill Robens. Plot In 1947, hard-boiled detective Charlie ...
'' playing dotty millionaire Lady Clairmont. The film was released in 2015. Also in 2015, Down appeared in another Steven Seagal action thriller, ''
Absolution Absolution is a theological term for the forgiveness imparted by ordained Priest#Christianity, Christian priests and experienced by Penance#Christianity, Christian penitents. It is a universal feature of the historic churches of Christendom, alth ...
''. The following year she appeared in the Lifetime movie ''I Am Watching You'' and played
Jamie-Lynn Sigler Jamie-Lynn Sigler (born May 15, 1981) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Meadow Soprano on the HBO series ''The Sopranos'' from 1999 to 2007. Early life Sigler was born in Jericho, New York, on May 15, 1981, the daughter ...
' character mother in the Western film ''Justice''. She co-starred in the Hallmark Holiday film ''A Cinderella Christmas'' in 2016. She appeared in the romantic comedy film ''
Alex & the List ''Alex & The List'' is a 2018 American romantic comedy film, directed by Harris Goldberg, from a screenplay by Goldberg and Kristen D'Alessio. It stars Jennifer Morrison, Patrick Fugit, and Karen Gillan. The film was released on May 4, 2018, by ...
'' in 2018 and the horror film '' Gates of Darkness'' in 2019; she co-wrote the script for the latter. In 2020, Down moved to
Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...
, bought a ranch-styled house and announced that she had retired from acting. Despite this, Down returned to work playing British Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher (; 13 October 19258 April 2013), was a British stateswoman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 and Leader of the Conservative Party (UK), Leader of th ...
in the 2024 biographical film ''
Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party and became an important figure in ...
'' starring
Dennis Quaid Dennis William Quaid (born April 9, 1954) is an American actor. He is known for his starring roles in '' Breaking Away'' (1979), '' The Right Stuff'' (1983), '' The Big Easy'' (1986), '' Innerspace'' (1987), '' Great Balls of Fire!'' (1989), ' ...
.


Personal life

After ending a 10-year relationship with actor-writer
Bruce Robinson Bruce Robinson (born 2 May 1946) is an English actor, director, screenwriter and novelist. He wrote and directed '' Withnail and I'' (1987), a film with comic and tragic elements set in London in the late 1960s, which drew on his experiences as ...
, Down married Enrique Gabriel in 1980, but ended their marriage after a year and a half. Her second marriage was to film director
William Friedkin William David Friedkin (; August 29, 1935 – August 7, 2023) was an American film, television and opera director, producer, and screenwriter who was closely identified with the "New Hollywood" movement of the 1970s. Beginning his career in doc ...
from 1982 to 1985, with whom she had one son. She met her third husband,
cinematographer The cinematographer or director of photography (sometimes shortened to DP or DOP) is the person responsible for the recording of a film, television production, music video or other live-action piece. The cinematographer is the chief of the camera ...
Don E. FauntLeRoy, during filming of the television miniseries ''North and South'' in 1985. Their relationship ended Down's marriage to Friedkin and Fauntleroy's marriage to Susan Ducat. The resulting legal and custody proceedings interrupted the careers of both Down and Fauntleroy for two years and ultimately cost Down and Friedkin each. Down and Fauntleroy have a son. Down has spoken on several occasions about dealing with sexual predators in the film industry. In 2002, she spoke of finding fame in the late 1960s: "The
casting couch The casting couch is a euphemism for the practice of soliciting sexual favors from a job applicant in exchange for employment in the entertainment industry, primarily acting roles. The practice is illegal in the United States. Predominantly mal ...
was in full swing, people expected it... My teenage years were pretty intense, a lot of pressure and a lot of horrible old men out there". In a 1977 interview, she had also said: "I was promised lots of lovely big film parts by American producers if I went to bed with them. Believe me, the casting couch is no myth".


Filmography


Film


Television


Awards and nominations


References


External links

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Down, Lesley-Anne 1954 births Living people 20th-century English actresses 21st-century English actresses Actors from the London Borough of Wandsworth English female models English women singers English film actresses English soap opera actresses English television actresses English emigrants to the United States Actresses from London Models from the London Borough of Wandsworth People from Wandsworth