Joanna Lumley
Born
May 1, 1946 (79 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, British India
Dame Joanna Lamond Lumley DBE FRGS (born 1 May 1946) is a British actress, presenter, former model, author, television producer, and activist. She has won two BAFTA TV Awards for her role as Patsy Stone in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012), and was nominated for the 2011 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for the Broadway revival of La Bête. In 2013, she received the Special Recognition Award at the National Television Awards, and in 2017 she was honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship award.
Lumley's other television credits include The New Avengers (1976–1977), Sapphire & Steel (1979–1982), Sensitive Skin (2005–2007), Jam & Jerusalem (2006–2008) and Finding Alice (2021–present) as well as playing Elaine Perkins in Coronation Street in 1973. Her film appearances include On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), Trail of the Pink Panther (1982), Shirley Valentine (1989), James and the Giant Peach (1996), Ella Enchanted (2004), Corpse Bride (2005), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie (2016). She had roles in two episodes of Are You Being Served? (1973–1975) written by Jeremy Lloyd, whom she had married and divorced three years prior to her first appearance on the show.
Lumley is an advocate and human rights activist for Survival International and the Gurkha Justice Campaign. She supports charities and animal welfare groups, such as Compassion in World Farming and Vegetarians' International Voice for Animals. Lumley was made a Dame (DBE) in the 2022 New Year Honours for services to drama, entertainment and charity.
Twiggy
Self
2025
Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out
Self
2024
My Week with Maisy
Mrs. Foster
2024
imagine... French & Saunders: Pointed, Bitchy, Bitter
Self
2023
Joanna Lumley's Spice Trail Adventure
Self - Presenter · (4 episodes)
2023
Joanna Lumley: My Best Bits - In My Own Words
Self
2023
Quentin Blake – The Drawing of My Life
Self
2021
Joanna Lumley and the Human Swan
Presenter
2021
Falling for Figaro
Meghan Geoffrey-Bishop
2021
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Lady Narborough
2021
The Vicar of Dibley: Inside Out
Self
2021
Joanna Lumley’s Home Sweet Home – Travels in My Own Land
(3 episodes)
2021
Joanna Lumley's Britain
Self - Host · (3 episodes)
2021
Finding Alice
Sarah · (6 episodes)
2021
Coronation Street: 60 Unforgettable Years
Narrator
2020
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse
Narrator (voice) · (1 episode)
2020
In Search of Dracula
Herself
2020
Counting Tigers
Narrator (voice)
2019
7 Up & Me
Narrator (voice)
2019
20 Years of the Black Eyed Peas
Herself - Host
2018
Finding Your Feet
Jackie
2017
Joanna and Jennifer: Absolutely Champers
Self - Presenter
2017
And the Winner Isn't
Self
2017
Paddington 2
Felicity Fanshaw
2017
Joanna Lumley's India
Herself · (3 episodes)
2017
The Man You're Not
Joanna Lumley
2017
Carnage: Swallowing the Past
Herself (voice)
2017
British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves
Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited)
2016
Joanna Lumley's Japan
Herself · (3 episodes)
2016
Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie
Patsy Stone
2016
Me Before You
Mary Rawlinson
2016
Attenborough at 90
Self
2016
Joanna Lumley: Elvis and Me
Self
2015
Joanna Lumley's Trans-Siberian Adventure
Self - Presenter · (3 episodes)
2015
Britain's Busiest Airport: Heathrow
Narrator (voice) · (12 episodes)
2015
She's Funny That Way
Vivian Claremont
2015
Absolutely Anything
Fenella
2015
Bette Midler: One Night Only
Self - Host
2014
50 Years of BBC Two Comedy
Narrator (voice)
2014
Joanna Lumley Meets Will.I.Am
Presenter
2014
Gangsta Granny
The Queen
2013
The Wolf of Wall Street
Aunt Emma
2013
Joanna Lumley: The Search for Noah's Ark
Herself - Presenter
2012
The Making of a Lady
Lady Maria Byrne
2012
The Genius of Roald Dahl
Herself
2012
Wogan on Wodehouse
Self
2011
Late Bloomers
Charlotte
2011
The Snowman Live Stage Show
Narrator
2010
Justin Lee Collins: Good Times
Self · (1 episode)
2010
The National Television Awards Backstage Live
(1 episode)
2010
Live from Studio Five
Self · (1 episode)
2009
Boogie Woogie
Mrs. Alfreda Rhinegold
2009
Ian Fleming: Where Bond Began
Herself
2008
Joanna Lumley in the Land of the Northern Lights
Herself
2008
Mistresses
Vivienne Roden · (4 episodes)
2008
A Bucket O' French and Saunders
(1 episode)
2007
The Graham Norton Show
Self · (3 episodes)
2007
Lewis
Esme Ford · (1 episode)
2007
Jam and Jerusalem
Delilah Stagg · (0 episode)
2006
The One Show
Self · (4 episodes)
2006
Betjeman and Me
(1 episode)
2006
Philip and Elizabeth
(1 episode)
2006
Sensitive Skin
Davina Jackson · (12 episodes)
2005
Corpse Bride
Maudeline Everglot (voice)
2005
Stories of Lost Souls
Last in Line
2004
The Magic Roundabout
Ermintrude (voice)
2004
Ella Enchanted
Dame Olga
2004
EuroTrip
Hostel Clerk
2004
Standing Room Only
Last in line
2004
My Dad's the Prime Minister
(1 episode)
2003
Top Gear
Self · (1 episode)
2002
Up in Town
Madison Blakelock · (10 episodes)
2002
The Cat's Meow
Elinor Glyn
2001
Mirrorball
Jackie Riviera
2000
Whispers: An Elephant's Tale
Half Tusk (voice)
2000
Maybe Baby
Shiela
2000
Dr Willoughby
Donna Sinclair · (6 episodes)
1999
Mad Cows
Gillian
1999
Parting Shots
Freda
1999
Doctor Who: The Curse of Fatal Death
The Female Doctor
1999
Alice in Wonderland
Tiger Lily (voice)
1999
Nancherrow
Diana Carey-Lewis
1999
A Rather English Marriage
Liz Franks
1998
Absolutely Fabulous: A Life
Patsy Stone (archive footage)
1998
The Tale of Sweeney Todd
Mrs. Lovett
1998
Coming Home
Diana Carey-Lewis
1998
Joanna Lumley in the Kingdom of the Thunderdragon
Herself · (1 episode)
1997
Prince Valiant
Morgan Le Fey
1997
Absolutely Fabulous: The Last Shout
Patsy Stone
1996
James and the Giant Peach
Aunt Spiker
1996
Innocent Lies
Lady Helena Graves
1995
In the Best Possible Taste: A Tribute to Kenny Everett
Sketch Performer (Archive Footage)
1995
The Mrs Merton Show
Self · (1 episode)
1995
How to Be Absolutely Fabulous
Patsy Stone (archive footage)
1995
Cold Comfort Farm
Mary Smiling
1995
The Forgotten Toys
Annie (voice)
1995
Girl Friday
Presenter
1994
Class Act
Kate Swift · (14 episodes)
1994
Absolutely Fabulous
Patsy · (39 episodes)
1992
A Ghost in Monte Carlo
Lady Drayton
1990
Plunder
(1 episode)
1990
Shirley Valentine
Marjorie Majors
1989
Roseanne
(1 episode)
1988
Comic Relief
(1 episode)
1988
Lovejoy
Victoria Cavero · (3 episodes)
1986
Oxbridge Blues
Gigi · (1 episode)
1984
Mistral's Daughter
Lally Longbridge · (8 episodes)
1984
Electric Blue Special: Nude Celebrity Special
1984
The Weather in the Streets
Kate
1983
Curse of the Pink Panther
Countess Chandra
1983
Trail of the Pink Panther
Marie Jouvet
1982
Electric Blue - The Movie
(archive footage)
1982
The Kenny Everett Television Show
Various · (1 episode)
1982
An Audience with Dame Edna Everage
1980
Electric Blue 002
(archive footage)
1980
The Plank
Hitcher
1979
Sapphire & Steel
Sapphire · (34 episodes)
1979
An Audience with...
Self · (3 episodes)
1978
The New Avengers
Purdey · (26 episodes)
1976
The Cuckoo Waltz
Harriet Paulden · (26 episodes)
1975
Don't Just Lie There, Say Something!
Miss Parkyn
1973
The Satanic Rites of Dracula
Jessica Van Helsing
1973
Are You Being Served?
Miss French · (2 episodes)
1972
The House That Dripped Blood
1971
Games That Lovers Play
Fanny Hill
1971
The Ballad of Tam Lin
Georgia
1970
The Breaking of Bumbo
Susie
1970
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
The English Girl
1969
Tony Awards
Self - Nominee · (1 episode)
1956
The BAFTA Awards
Host · (2 episodes)
1949
Starting Out
Mrs Robertson · (2 episodes)
Joanna Lumley's Danube
Self - Host · (3 episodes)
2025
Amandaland
Felicity · (6 episodes)
2025
Jewel of the Med: Majorca and Menorca
Self - Narrator (voice) · (5 episodes)
2025
Jewels of the Med
Self - Narrator (voice) · (6 episodes)
2025
Fool Me Once
Judith Burkett · (8 episodes)
2024
Late Night Lycett
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2023
Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg
Self · (1 episode)
2022
Joanna Lumley's Great Cities of the World
Self - Presenter · (3 episodes)
2022
Blankety Blank
(1 episode)
2021
Rosie Jones' Trip Hazard
Narrator · (5 episodes)
2021
Michael Palin: Travels of a Lifetime
Self · (4 episodes)
2020
Joanna Lumley's Unseen Adventures
Cast · (3 episodes)
2020
Joanna Lumley's Hidden Caribbean: Havana to Haiti
Herself - Presenter · (2 episodes)
2020
RuPaul's Drag Race UK
Self - Guest Judge · (1 episode)
2019
Celebrity Gogglebox
Self · (1 episode)
2019
Joanna Lumley's Silk Road Adventure
Self - Presenter · (4 episodes)
2018
Summer Camp Island
Adult Susie (voice) · (2 episodes)
2018
Joanna Lumley's Postcards From My Travels
(6 episodes)
2017
The Michael McIntyre Chat Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self · (1 episode)
2014
The Last Leg
Self · (5 episodes)
2013
The Great Comic Relief Bake Off
Self - Contestant · (1 episode)
2013
Joanna Lumley's Greek Odyssey
Herself · (4 episodes)
2011
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2009
Jam and Jerusalem
Delilah · (6 episodes)
2006
Final Chance to Save
Herself · (1 episode)
2005
The Friday Night Project
Self - Host · (1 episode)
2005
Agatha Christie's Marple
Dolly Bantry · (2 episodes)
2004
Posh Nosh
Narrator (voice) · (9 episodes)
2003
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway
Self - Guest Announcer · (1 episode)
2002
The Foxbusters
Sims / Evita / Voracity (voice) · (26 episodes)
1999
Nancherrow
(2 episodes)
1999
Coming Home
Diana Carey-Lewis · (2 episodes)
1998
Parkinson
Self · (1 episode)
1998
The Forgotten Toys
Annie (voice) · (26 episodes)
1997
Cluedo
Mrs. Peacock · (6 episodes)
1990
Going Live!
Self · (1 episode)
1987
The Glory Boys
Helen · (3 episodes)
1984
Wogan
Self · (5 episodes)
1982
Wogan
Self - Presenter · (9 episodes)
1982
Champs-Elysées
Self · (1 episode)
1982
Some Girls Do
Robot Saboteur (uncredited)
1969
Steptoe and Son
Bunty · (1 episode)
1962
The Avengers
Purdey · (0 episode)
1961
Eurovision Song Contest
Self - UK’s Spokesperson · (1 episode)
1956