Born:
December 14, 1972
in
Torquay
Best Known For:
Playing an exaggerated version of herself in the sitcom Miranda.
Early-life:
Born Miranda Katharine Hart Dyke on December 14, 1972, in Torquay, to an upper-class family (her auntie lives in Lullingstone Castle in Kent). Her father, David, was a Royal Navy officer who was injured during the Falklands war. Miranda studied politics at Bristol Polytechnic but always wanted to do comedy. She later enrolled at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts. Before finding fame, Hart worked as a PA and for the Comic Relief charity.
Career:
Hart did a stint at the Edinburgh Festival and unsuccessfully tried to pitch a show to BBC executives in 2004. It was attended by Jennifer Saunders who loved her performance so much, she cast her in both French & Saunders and Absolutely Fabulous. Hart also had roles as various characters in sketch show Smack the Pony, and starred in BBC Three's Hyperdrive alongside Nick Frost, which was met with an indifferent response from critics. She was then cast as clumsy cleaner Barbara in Lee Mack's Not Going Out and as 'Tall Karen' in 2007's Monday Monday. After gaining further success with radio shows, she was given her own eponymous series by the BBC. It was to prove a hit with viewers who liked its retro and family-friendly style. She's also enjoyed dramatic acting success with Call the Midwife.
Quote:
'I am a fan of pop music and wanted to be the sixth Spice Girl - 'Enormous' Spice!'
Trivia:
She published a book, Is It Just Me?, in 2012.