Janet Suzman

Dame Janet Suzman DBE (born 9 February 1939) is a South African and British actress. Janet Suzman made her stage debut in 1962 in Ipswich, playing Liz in the play Billy Liar, and then joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963. She began her television career in 1964, appearing in the Festiv... More

Dame Janet Suzman DBE (born 9 February 1939) is a South African and British actress. Janet Suzman made her stage debut in 1962 in Ipswich, playing Liz in the play Billy Liar, and then joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1963. She began her television career in 1964, appearing in the Festival series. Her first major film role came in 1971, in Franklin Schaffner's Nicholas and Alexandra, where she played Empress Alexandra. This role earned her Oscar, BAFTA, and Golden Globe nominations. She went on to film roles in A Day in the Death of Joe Egg (1972), Voyage of the Damned (1976), A Murder in an English Garden (1982), and A Dry White Season (1989). She also appeared on television in Play of the Month (1968-1972), Clayhanger (1976), and directed her only film, Othello, in 1989.