Maureen Lipman

Born: 10 May 1946
Where: Hull, Yorkshire

Maureen Lipman has long been a familiar face in England with a career that has spanned nearly 30 years. As a child she was somewhat forced into acting by her mother Zelma, whose encouragement was somewhat excessive to the point of physically pushing a young Maureen onto the stage.

She studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and made her acting debut in The Knack in 1969. Since went on to appear in a number of West End productions, including See How They Run, Lost in Yonkers and her one-woman show Re Joyce

The only time Maureen has been out of work in her carer was when she took four months off for major surgery on a tumour on her spine.

Since the mid 90's, Lipman has worked less and less on T.V, instead opting for as many film roles as possible culminating in a high profile part in Roman Polanski's The Pianist.

Ultimately though, Maureen will always be best remembered for one of the most successful advertising campaigns of all time. She played Beattie in the British Telecom adverts during the late 80's and even got an award for her efforts.

She was awarded the C.B.E. in 1999. Her husband, Jack Rosenthal, had received a C.B.E. six years earlier