Michelle Dockery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michelle Dockery
Dockery in 2019
Born	Michelle Suzanne Dockery (1981-12-15) 15 December 1981 (age 43) Essex, England
Alma mater	Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Occupation	Actress
Years active	2004–present
Spouse(s)	Jasper Waller-Bridge ​ (m. 2023)​
Relatives	Phoebe Waller-Bridge (sister-in-law) Isobel Waller-Bridge (sister-in-law)
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Michelle Suzanne Dockery (born 15 December 1981) is a talented English actress. She is most famous for playing Lady Mary Crawley in the popular TV show Downton Abbey from 2010 to 2015. For this role, she was nominated for a Golden Globe Award and three Primetime Emmy Awards. She also played Lady Mary in the Downton Abbey movies in 2019 and 2022.

After studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Michelle started her acting career on stage in 2004. She has also appeared in many films like Hanna (2011) and The Gentlemen (2019). On TV, she starred in the western series Godless (2017) and the drama Defending Jacob (2020).

Early Life and Education

Michelle Dockery was born on December 15, 1981. Her mother, Lorraine, worked as a care home assistant, and her father, Michael, was a lorry driver from Ireland. Michelle grew up in Romford, Essex, England.

She attended the Finch Stage School to learn acting. Later, she went to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, a famous performing arts school, and finished her studies there in 2004.

Michelle Dockery's Acting Career

Michelle Dockery has had a successful career in both theatre, film, and television.

Starting on Stage

Michelle was a member of the National Youth Theatre, which helps young people get into acting. Her first professional stage role was in His Dark Materials at the Royal National Theatre in 2004.

She earned recognition for her stage work. In 2007, she played Eliza Doolittle in Pygmalion. For this role, she won second prize at the Ian Charleson Awards and was nominated for an Evening Standard Award. In 2009, she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the play Burnt by the Sun.

Famous TV and Film Roles

Dockery at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards

Michelle became very well-known in 2010 when she started playing Lady Mary Crawley in the TV series Downton Abbey. This show was a huge hit and ran until 2015. Michelle's performance as Lady Mary earned her three Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination.

Her first major film role was in Hanna (2011). She also appeared in Anna Karenina (2012) and the action thriller Non-Stop (2014) with Liam Neeson.

In 2014, Michelle was honored by the Guildhall School for her achievements in television. She was also named one of The Sunday Times Britain's 500 Most Influential People.

In 2016, Michelle took on a lead role in the American drama series Good Behavior. She played Letty Raines, a thief trying to turn her life around. Later, in 2017, she starred in the Netflix western miniseries Godless, which earned her another Emmy nomination.

Michelle returned to her famous role as Lady Mary in the Downton Abbey movie in 2019, which was a big success. That same year, she appeared in the film The Gentlemen, directed by Guy Ritchie. More recently, she starred in the miniseries Defending Jacob (2020) and Anatomy of a Scandal (2022).

Music Career

Besides acting, Michelle Dockery is also a trained singer. She has performed at famous places like Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. She has also sung with Sadie and the Hotheads, a band led by Elizabeth McGovern, who played her mother in Downton Abbey. In 2022, Michelle and her Downton Abbey co-star Michael C. Fox signed a record deal as a music duo.

Charity Work

Michelle Dockery uses her fame to support important causes. In 2014, Oxfam named her their first Humanitarian Ambassador. She also supports Changing Faces, a charity that helps people with visible differences.

She was also part of a short film in 2014 to promote Stand Up to Cancer UK, helping to raise money for cancer research.

Personal Life

Michelle Dockery was in a relationship with John Dineen, who sadly passed away in 2015 from a rare form of cancer.

Since 2019, Michelle has been with Jasper Waller-Bridge. Jasper is the brother of famous writer and actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Michelle and Jasper announced their engagement in January 2022 and got married on September 22, 2023.

Filmography

Films Michelle Dockery Has Appeared In

Television Shows Michelle Dockery Has Appeared In

Stage Roles Michelle Dockery Has Performed

Awards and Nominations

Michelle Dockery has been recognized with many awards and nominations for her acting.

Images for kids

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  Dockery at the 2013 Golden Globe Awards

See also

In Spanish: Michelle Dockery para niños