Helen Mirren reveals the worst piece of advice she ever received

By MiNDFOOD

Helen Mirren reveals the worst piece of advice she ever received
She's one of the most respected actresses in the world, but Dame Helen Mirren received some very bad career advice as young star.

Dame Helen Mirren may be one of the most respected actresses in the world, but there were some who discouraged her from pursuing acting as a career, the 72-year-old has revealed. “The worst advice I’ve ever gotten was when I was very young, and someone told me, ‘Oh, you’ll never be an actress—you’ll get married and have children,’” she told Town & Country. “I’m always open to advice, but some I know not to listen to.”

The star added that the entertainment industry has changed since she first began acting five decades ago. “Actors have taken control of their own craft much more. When I was young, you got a job, and then you went home, and waited for your next job—now actors are much more proactive. You can be Reese Witherspoon and do absolutely everything! I applaud the movement in that direction, and I would hope to see more of it.”

When it comes to the Time’s Up movement, she applauds the recent push for gender equality in Hollywood. “For so many years of my life, I had to just watch dramas about men, because there were no dramas about women—about who they were, about their stories, about their struggles, about what their dreams or fears were—and that’s really changing.”

And when it comes to her favourite role from her long career, Mirren is quick to answer. “It’s Elizabeth I. I did win a Golden Globe for that, but when I look at it now, I see it as possibly some of the best work I’ve ever done.”

READ MORE: Helen Mirren’s Top Five Rules For A Happy Life

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Print Recipe

BECOME A MiNDFOOD SUBSCRIBER TODAY

Let us keep you up to date with our weekly MiNDFOOD e-newsletters which include the weekly menu plan, health and news updates or tempt your taste buds with the MiNDFOOD Daily Recipe. 

Member Login