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Margo Stilley (born November 20, 1982) is an American actress, having had roles in '' How to Lose Friends & Alienate People'' (2008), '' Marple: Murder Is Easy'' and '' Hippie Hippie Shake'' (2009), '' The Trip'' (2010), and '' The Royals'' (2016). However, she is most remembered for appearing in her debut film '' 9 Songs'' (2004), which has been described as the most sexually explicit mainstream film ever produced in the UK.


Early life and education

Stilley was born in
Conway, South Carolina Conway is a city in and the county seat of Horry County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 24,849 at the 2020 census, up from 17,103 in the 2010 census, making it the 18th-most populous city in the state. The city is part of ...
, and grew up between there and Swansboro, North Carolina. She was raised in a strict
Baptist Baptists are a Christian denomination, denomination within Protestant Christianity distinguished by baptizing only professing Christian believers (believer's baptism) and doing so by complete Immersion baptism, immersion. Baptist churches ge ...
household in North America's
Bible Belt The Bible Belt is a region of the Southern United States and the Midwestern state of Missouri (which also has significant Southern influence), where evangelical Protestantism exerts a strong social and cultural influence. The region has been de ...
. The day she turned 16 years of age, she moved out of her family home and lived on her own. She put herself through high school working as a
telemarketer Telemarketing (sometimes known as inside sales, or telesales in the UK and Ireland) is a method of direct marketing in which a salesperson solicits prospective customers to buy products, subscriptions or services, either over the phone or throu ...
and a
lifeguard A lifeguard is a rescuer who supervises the safety and rescue of swimmers, surfers, and other water sports participants such as in a swimming pool, water park, beach, spa, river and lake. Lifeguards are trained in swimming and Cardiopulmonary ...
until she graduated a year early from Conway High School with honors in art and history. She was voted "The Funniest" in the class of 2000. Stilley has been a long time supporter of hands-on charitable acts. In high school, she volunteered at local nursing homes feeding and reading to the elderly. She was offered a full scholarship to
Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is a private art school with locations in Savannah, Georgia; Atlanta, Georgia; and Lacoste, France. It was founded in 1978 to provide degrees in programs not yet offered in the southeast of the United ...
, which she declined.


Career

She left the rural
South South is one of the cardinal directions or compass points. The direction is the opposite of north and is perpendicular to both west and east. Etymology The word ''south'' comes from Old English ''sūþ'', from earlier Proto-Germanic ''*sunþa ...
as a teenager to begin working briefly as a model in
Milan Milan ( , , ; ) is a city in northern Italy, regional capital of Lombardy, the largest city in Italy by urban area and the List of cities in Italy, second-most-populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of nea ...
with
Elite Model Management Elite Model Management (MM) is a modeling agency that originated in Paris in 1972. In 2004, the agencies in New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, and Toronto separated and formed Elite Model Management North America. Elite MM is a subsidiary of El ...
in February 2001, before moving to London by the end of the year, at the age of 18, to pursue her acting career. Her first acting job was to star as Lisa, the lead actress in the controversial 2004 British film '' 9 Songs'', directed by
Michael Winterbottom Michael Winterbottom (born 29 March 1961) is an English film director. He began his career working in British television before moving into features. Three of his films—''Welcome to Sarajevo'', ''Wonderland (1999 film), Wonderland'' and ''24 ...
. Her interest in art as a platform led to her decision to accept the role. According to the ''
Guardian Guardian usually refers to: * Legal guardian, a person with the authority and duty to care for the interests of another * ''The Guardian'', a British daily newspaper (The) Guardian(s) may also refer to: Places * Guardian, West Virginia, Unit ...
'', ''9 Songs'' was the most sexually explicit mainstream film to date, largely because it includes several scenes of real sexual acts between Stilley and her co-star, actor Kieran O'Brien. Her role is highly unusual in that she had unsimulated and very graphic
sex Sex is the biological trait that determines whether a sexually reproducing organism produces male or female gametes. During sexual reproduction, a male and a female gamete fuse to form a zygote, which develops into an offspring that inheri ...
with O'Brien, including
genital A sex organ, also known as a reproductive organ, is a part of an organism that is involved in sexual reproduction. Sex organs constitute the primary sex characteristics of an organism. Sex organs are responsible for producing and transporting ...
fondling, female masturbation, with and without a vibrator, penetrative
vaginal sex In mammals and other animals, the vagina (: vaginas or vaginae) is the elastic, muscular reproductive organ of the female genital tract. In humans, it extends from the vulval vestibule to the cervix (neck of the uterus). The vaginal int ...
,
cunnilingus Cunnilingus is an oral sex act consisting of the stimulation of a vulva by using the tongue and lips. The clitoris is the most sexually sensitive part of the vulva, and its stimulation may result in a woman becoming sexually aroused or achievi ...
, footjob and
fellatio Fellatio (also known as fellation, and in slang as blowjob, BJ, giving head, or sucking off) is an oral sex act consisting of the stimulation of a human penis, penis by using the mouth. Oral stimulation of the scrotum may also be termed ''fellat ...
. During a scene in which Stilley stimulates his penis with her hand after performing fellatio on him, he became the only mainstream British actor who has been shown ejaculating in a mainstream UK-produced feature. The film screened in
Cannes Film Festival The Cannes Film Festival (; ), until 2003 called the International Film Festival ('), is the most prestigious film festival in the world. Held in Cannes, France, it previews new films of all genres, including documentaries, from all around ...
and
Sundance Film Festival The Sundance Film Festival is an annual film festival organized by the Sundance Institute. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, with 423,234 combined in-person and online viewership in 2023. The festival has acted ...
and had a worldwide theatrical release. Stilley asked that director Michael Winterbottom refer to her simply by her character's name in interviews about the film at the beginning to protect the artistic integrity of the film. Her second credit solidified her standing in Great Britain's indie film scene, when she starred in the satirical comedy '' Nathan Barley'' directed by Chris Morris for British television. Stilley has since appeared in 19 American and British productions, including '' How to Lose Friends & Alienate People'', with
Simon Pegg Simon John Pegg (; born 14 February 1970) is an English actor, comedian and screenwriter. He came to prominence in the UK as the co-creator of the Channel 4 sitcom ''Spaced'' (1999–2001), directed by Edgar Wright. He and Wright co-wrote the ...
and
Jeff Bridges Jeffrey Leon Bridges (born December 4, 1949) is an American actor. He is known for his Leading actor, leading man roles in film and television. In a career spanning over seven decades, he has received List of awards and nominations received by ...
, and ''
Agatha Christie's Marple ''Agatha Christie's Marple'' (or simply ''Marple'') is a British ITV television programme loosely based on books and short stories by British crime novelist Agatha Christie. The title character was played by Geraldine McEwan from the first t ...
'' (''
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 ...
''), with
Benedict Cumberbatch Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch (born 19 July 1976) is an English actor. He has received List of awards and nominations received by Benedict Cumberbatch, various accolades, including a BAFTA TV Award, a Primetime Emmy Award and a Laurenc ...
, and has worked again with Winterbottom on a BBC Two comedy '' The Trip'', with
Steve Coogan Stephen John Coogan (; born 14 October 1965) is an English-Irish actor, comedian, screenwriter and producer. His accolades include four BAFTA Awards and three British Comedy Awards, and nominations for two Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Aw ...
and
Rob Brydon Robert Brydon Jones (; born 3 May 1965) is a Welsh actor, comedian, impressionist, presenter, singer and writer. He gained prominence for his roles in film, television and radio. He was appointed Order of the British Empire, Member of the Order ...
. She appeared as a model in feature articles in ''
Vogue Vogue may refer to: Business * ''Vogue'' (magazine), a US fashion magazine ** British ''Vogue'', a British fashion magazine ** '' Vogue Adria'', a fashion magazine for former Yugoslav countries ** ''Vogue Arabia'', an Arab fashion magazine ** ' ...
'', '' In Style UK'', '' The Face'', ''
Harper's Bazaar ''Harper's Bazaar'' (stylized as ''Harper's BAZAAR'') is an American monthly women's fashion magazine. Bazaar has been published in New York City since November 2, 1867, originally as a weekly publication entitled ''Harper's Bazar''."Corporat ...
'', '' Black Book Magazine'' and ''Elle''. She has been a presenter at award shows, handing a Fashion Awards to
Giles Deacon Giles David Deacon (born 14 December 1969) is a British fashion designer, illustrator, creative director and founder of Giles Deacon group, a fashion enterprise. Deacon joined the Paris Fashion Week in 2016. Deacon has been known to challenge the ...
at the 2006 Elle Style Awards and presenting the New Designer Award to Christopher Kane at the 2007
British Fashion Awards The Fashion Awards, known as the British Fashion Awards until 2016, is an annual ceremony established in the United Kingdom in 1989 to showcase both British and international individuals and businesses who have made the most outstanding contrib ...
. In 2010, she signed on to play
Lady Furness Thelma Furness, Viscountess Furness ( Morgan, 23 August 1904 – 29 January 1970), was a mistress of King Edward VIII while he was Prince of Wales. She was supplanted in his affections by Wallis Simpson, for whose sake Edward abdicated, becoming ...
in Madonna's film '' WE'', but renounced the role because of artistic differences.


Personal life

Stilley had strong ties to the Children's Charity Dramatic Need. In 2009, she travelled on her own to
Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu language, Zulu and Xhosa language, Xhosa: eGoli ) (colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, Jo'burg or "The City of Gold") is the most populous city in South Africa. With 5,538,596 people in the City of Johannesburg alon ...
and the greater
Gauteng province Gauteng ( , ; Sotho-Tswana for 'place of gold'; or ) is one of the nine provinces of South Africa. Situated on the Highveld, Gauteng is the smallest province by land area in South Africa. Although Gauteng accounts for only 1.5% of the coun ...
in South Africa to teach drama in some of the country's most challenged communities for three months. She has never publicized her charitable contributions. Stilley lived in
Mayfair Mayfair is an area of Westminster, London, England, in the City of Westminster. It is in Central London and part of the West End. It is between Oxford Street, Regent Street, Piccadilly and Park Lane and one of the most expensive districts ...
, London until 2013 and she currently resides in Los Angeles. Stilley was expecting her first child in late 2023. Stilley officially converted to
Judaism Judaism () is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic, Monotheism, monotheistic, ethnic religion that comprises the collective spiritual, cultural, and legal traditions of the Jews, Jewish people. Religious Jews regard Judaism as their means of o ...
in 2015 "because of its strong sense of family and of history, and its belief that humans were formed in the image of God and are inherently divine". She was first published in the "News Review" section of ''
The Sunday Times ''The Sunday Times'' is a British Sunday newspaper whose circulation makes it the largest in Britain's quality press market category. It was founded in 1821 as ''The New Observer''. It is published by Times Newspapers Ltd, a subsidiary of N ...
'' in an article titled "It's a Strange Time to Become a Jew", defending her choice to explore the Jewish faith. She was then commissioned by ''
Esquire Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman ...
'' to write a series of articles based on her life. One is about a band of gypsies she came across and befriended, who breed
white lion White Lion is an American glam metal band that was formed in New York City in 1983 by Danish vocalist Mike Tramp and American guitarist Vito Bratta. Mainly active in the 1980s and early 1990s, they released their debut album ''Fight to Survive ...
s in
Hanover Hanover ( ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the States of Germany, German state of Lower Saxony. Its population of 535,932 (2021) makes it the List of cities in Germany by population, 13th-largest city in Germany as well as the fourth-l ...
, Germany. Another is about a biker bar in South Carolina in which she once worked named Suck Bang Blow, which is now the subject of a reality TV show she is producing under the same name.


Selected filmography

* '' 9 Songs'' (2004) ... Lisa * '' Mayo'' (1 episode, 2006) ... Roma Sheraton * ''Reverb'' (2007) ... Nicky * '' How to Lose Friends & Alienate People'' (2008) ... Ingrid * '' Marple: Murder Is Easy'' (2009) (TV) ... Bridget Conway * '' Goal! 3'' (2009) ... Tamsin * '' Hippie Hippie Shake'' (2009) ...
Cynthia Plaster Caster Cynthia Dorothy Albritton (May 24, 1947 – April 21, 2022), better known by the pseudonym Cynthia Plaster Caster, was an American visual artist and self-described "recovering groupie" who gained fame for creating plaster casts of celebrities' ...
* ''14 Days with Victor'' (2010) ... Anna * '' The Trip'' (2010) ... Mischa * ''Across Time I Cry'' (2014) ... Lisabet * ''Darknet Delivery: A Silk Road Story'' (2015) ... Anna * ''Still Waters'' (2015) ... Bradbury * ''Everything Carries Me to You'' ... Vicki * '' The Royals'' (2016) ... Harper * ''
The Trip to Spain ''The Trip to Spain'' is a 2017 British comedy film directed by Michael Winterbottom. It is the third installment of Winterbottom's film adaptations of the TV series '' The Trip'', following '' The Trip'' (2011) and ''The Trip to Italy'' (2014). T ...
'' (series 3 of ''The Trip'') (2017) ... Mischa * '' The Host'' (2020) ... Sarah


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Stilley, Margo 1982 births Female models from South Carolina Actresses from South Carolina American film actresses American expatriate actresses American expatriates in the United Kingdom American expatriates in England Converts to Judaism from Baptist denominations Living people People from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 21st-century American women People from Mayfair Actors from the City of Westminster Actresses from London