Few actors manage to bounce between blockbuster comedies and prestige drama with the same easy charm as Celia Imrie, born on 15 July 1952 in Guildford, Surrey (Encyclopaedia Britannica, reference publisher), who has built a five-decade career that includes everything from Bridget Jones to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. This guide maps her full filmography, TV work, and the personal story behind the screen.

Born: 15 July 1952 (age 72) · Occupation: Actress · Notable films: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Bridget Jones series, Calendar Girls · TV series: Better Things, The Diplomat, Absolutely Fabulous · Children: 1 son (Angus Imrie) · Awards: Olivier Award nomination, BAFTA TV Award nomination

Quick snapshot

1Film Career
2Television Career
3Stage Work
4Personal Life
  • Son: Angus Imrie (actor) (Wikipedia, online encyclopedia)
  • Never married (Wikipedia, online encyclopedia)
  • Partner: Benjamin Whitrow (deceased) (Wikipedia, online encyclopedia)
  • Born in Guildford, Surrey, England (Encyclopaedia Britannica, reference publisher)

Seven key facts about Celia Imrie, drawn from authoritative sources:

Attribute Value
Full Name Celia Diana Savile Imrie
Date of Birth 15 July 1952
Place of Birth Guildford, Surrey, England
Occupation Actress
Years Active 1970s–present
Children 1 son (Angus Imrie)
Notable Awards Olivier Award nomination, BAFTA TV Award nomination, Screen Actors Guild Award (ensemble)

What is Celia Imrie famous for?

Best Exotic Marigold Hotel series

  • Imrie played Madge Hardcastle in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011/2012 release) and its 2015 sequel (British Film Institute). The ensemble dramedy became a surprise international hit, grossing over $136 million worldwide.

Bridget Jones films

  • She portrayed family friend Una Alconbury in Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), returning for Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004) and Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016) (IMDb, film database). The character reappears in the 2025 installment Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (Wikipedia, online encyclopedia).

Calendar Girls