Stephanie Beacham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Stephanie Beacham
Beacham in 2009
Born	(1947-02-28) 28 February 1947 (age 78) Barnet, Hertfordshire, England
Alma mater	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1964–present
Spouse(s)	John McEnery ​ ​ (m. 1973; div. 1979)​
Partner(s)	Bernie Greenwood (2008–present)
Children	2

Stephanie Beacham, born on February 28, 1947, is a famous English actress. She has worked for over sixty years in movies, TV shows, plays, and radio. She is well-known in both the UK and the USA.

Beacham started acting on British TV in 1967. Her first big movie role was in The Games (1970). She also appeared in Tam Lin (1970) with Ava Gardner. In 1971, she starred with Marlon Brando in The Nightcomers.

During the 1970s, Beacham became known for her roles in British Hammer Horror films. Later, she gained praise for TV series like Tenko (1981–1982) and Connie (1985). Her role as Sable Colby in the ABC show Dynasty (1985–1989) and its spin-off The Colbys (1985–1987) made her a household name.

After Dynasty, Beacham played the main character in Sister Kate (1989–1990). She was also Iris McKay in Beverly Hills, 90210 (1991–1994). She played Dr. Kristin Westphalen in Steven Spielberg's science fiction series SeaQuest DSV (1993–1994).

Beacham returned to the UK for roles like Phyl Oswyn in Bad Girls (2003–2006). She also played Martha Fraser in Coronation Street (2009, 2022). She competed in reality television shows like Strictly Come Dancing (2007) and Celebrity Big Brother (2010).

Beacham has performed on stage in both London's West End and Broadway in New York. Her stage roles include Mrs. Cheveley in An Ideal Husband (1996–2001). She also played Elizabeth I in Elizabeth Rex (2002) and Maria Callas in Master Class (2010–2011). She was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 1990 for Sister Kate. She also received nominations for playing Sable Colby.

Early Life and Training

Stephanie Beacham was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, England. She is one of four children. Her mother, Joan, was a housewife. Her father, Alic, worked in insurance and managed the Grosvenor estate.

She went to Queen Elizabeth's Girls' Grammar School in Barnet. After school, she traveled to Boulogne-Billancourt in Paris, France. There, she studied mime with Étienne Decroux. Later, she attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London.

Acting Career Highlights

Beacham started her career as a model. Her first TV role was in the BBC series The Queen's Traitor in 1967. In this show, she played Mary, Queen of Scots.

She made many guest appearances in TV series. These included The Saint with Roger Moore, Callan, and UFO. Her first film roles were in The Games and Tam Lin, both released in 1970. She worked again with director Michael Winner in The Nightcomers (1971). In this film, she starred opposite Marlon Brando. The Nightcomers helped her become well-known.

After The Nightcomers, Beacham continued to act in films, TV, and on stage in the UK. She often appeared in horror films during this time. She played Jessica Van Helsing in Hammer's Dracula A.D. 1972 (1972) with Peter Cushing. Other horror roles included And Now the Screaming Starts (1973) and Schizo (1976).

From 1981 to 1982, Beacham was part of the cast of the BBC series Tenko. This show was about women prisoners of war during World War II. After this, she got the lead role in the ITV drama Connie (1985).

Her roles in Tenko and Connie led to her famous part as Sable Colby. Sable was a clever character in the TV series The Colbys (1985–1987). The Colbys was a spin-off of the popular show Dynasty. Beacham starred with Charlton Heston in the new show. The Colbys ended after two seasons. However, in 1988, Beacham returned to play Sable for the final season of Dynasty, acting alongside Joan Collins.

Around this time, Beacham appeared in the comedy film Troop Beverly Hills. She then played an evil governess in the children's fantasy film The Wolves of Willoughby Chase. She also took the lead role in the US sitcom Sister Kate. In this show, she played a nun caring for children in an orphanage. The series lasted one season, but she earned a Golden Globe nomination for her role.

In the 1990s, Beacham had a recurring role in the teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210. She played Iris McKay, the mother of Luke Perry's character, Dylan. Beacham appeared in six different TV series produced by Aaron Spelling. These included Dynasty, The Colbys, The Love Boat, and Charmed.

In 1993, Beacham played Countess Regina Bartholomew in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Ship in a Bottle". Later that year, she joined the NBC science fiction series seaQuest DSV. This show was produced by Steven Spielberg. Her character was Dr. Kristin Westphalen, the chief oceanographer and medical doctor for the submarine. Beacham left the show after its first season.

Throughout the 1990s, she continued to make guest appearances on TV shows in both the UK and the US. Beacham was a judge for Miss Universe 1994 and Miss World 2000. In 1996, she appeared in the BBC drama No Bananas, set during World War II. She also appeared in the music video for Simply Red's song "Never Never Love". For much of the late 1990s, Beacham focused on theatre roles. She played Mrs. Cheveley in An Ideal Husband on Broadway from 1996 to 1997. She then toured Australia with the same play in 1998.

In 2002, Beacham played Elizabeth I in the play Elizabeth Rex. In 2003, Beacham returned to the UK for the ITV prison drama Bad Girls. She played inmate Phyllida "Phyl" Oswyn for four years. She stayed with the series until it ended in 2006. In 2007, she competed in the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing. She was eliminated early in the competition.

In November 2008, Beacham joined the cast of ITV's Coronation Street. She played Martha Fraser, a love interest for Ken Barlow. She appeared in twenty-two episodes until May 2009. In February 2010, Beacham appeared in the BBC series Material Girl. In April 2010, she made a guest appearance in the hospital drama Casualty. She then starred as Maria Callas in a UK tour of Master Class from 2010 to 2011. In January 2010, Beacham entered Celebrity Big Brother. She finished in fifth place.

In October 2011, Beacham released her autobiography, Many Lives. In 2012, Beacham reunited with her Dynasty co-star Joan Collins for a TV advert. She also appeared in the sitcom Trollied and Mount Pleasant. In January 2013, Beacham guest starred in Death in Paradise. From 2014 to 2016, she played Maureen in the BBC sitcom Boomers. She also starred in the film Wild Oats (2016).

In October 2016, Beacham starred as Princess Margaret in the play A Princess Undone. In 2017, Beacham starred in the comedy series Bucket. In August 2018, Beacham took part in The Real Marigold Hotel. In this series, she explored Indian culture in Udaipur, India.

In October 2022, Beacham had a role in the action thriller film Renegades. In November 2022, she returned to Coronation Street as Martha Fraser for a short time. In December 2022, Beacham guest-starred in Whitstable Pearl. She also played Elizabeth Hurley's mother in the film Christmas in the Caribbean. In 2023, Beacham starred in three films: Nessie, Forever Young, and Grey Matter.

Other Activities

Helping Others

In 2009, Beacham helped launch the Sense National Deafblind and Rubella Association's Fill in the Gaps campaign. This campaign helps older people get the support they need. Beacham also speaks for the American Speech–Language–Hearing Association. This group supports people with communication challenges. She is also part of the British Tinnitus Association. She helps Free Arts for Abused Children in Los Angeles, which gives abused children access to art.

In 2017, Beacham supported the Unison Pay Up Now campaign. This campaign encouraged the British government to give public service workers a pay raise.

Business Ventures

In 2009, Beacham launched her own line of skincare and beauty products. It was called Glow by Stephanie Beacham. The products sold very well, with fifty thousand units sold in just one month.

Personal Life

Stephanie Beacham is partially deaf. She was born with no hearing in her right ear and 80% hearing in her left ear. She has said this was partly because her mother had chicken pox during pregnancy.

She married actor John McEnery in 1973. They met while acting together. Beacham and McEnery divorced in 1979. They have two daughters.

She dated Marlon Brando after they starred in The Nightcomers (1971). Later, she had relationships with Eric Clapton and Imran Khan. Beacham is currently in a relationship with Bernie Greenwood. They got engaged in 2013.

Beacham divides her time between homes in London, Malibu, Morocco, and Spain.

Selected Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Video Games

Music Videos

Theatre Performances

Plays

Pantomime

Radio Roles

Awards and Nominations

Images for kids

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  Beacham (left) with Dynasty and The Colbys co-stars Joan Collins and Emma Samms in 2009

See also

In Spanish: Stephanie Beacham para niños