Born:
May 13, 1949
in
New York
Best Known For:
Playing a variety of strong women.
Early-life:
Born May 13, 1949, in New York, the daughter of acclaimed actors Charlotte Holland and Sam Wanamaker. At the age of three, her family fled the US before her father could be called by Senator McCarthy's notorious House of Un-American Activities Committee; the family settled in the UK. Zoƫ decided to become an actress at age 10 after spending a summer in Stratford-Upon-Avon watching her father. Both parents tried to persuade her not to go into the profession but she enrolled at the Central School of Speech and Drama, graduating in 1970.
Career:
Wanamaker spent 25 years with the RSC and National Theatre, and continues to appear on stage. She made her TV debut in 1975 in Jennie: Lady Randolph Churchill. Her most memorable work has come on the small screen in projects such as Edge of Darkness, the first episode of Prime Suspect, A Dance to the Music of Time, Love Hurts, My Family, David Copperfield, Gormenghast and Doctor Who; she also has a recurring role as Ariadne Oliver in Agatha Christie's Poirot. Films include Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and Wilde.
Quote:
'I think there is a niche for Beauty and the Beast, but there are also people who want to see good drama, who want to be moved by something.'
Trivia:
Despite her English upbringing, she remains a US citizen and received an honorary CBE in 2000.