| Claire Skinner (born 1965) is an English actress, who is well known in the United Kingdom for her television career. Biography Born and brought up in Hemel Hempstead, Skinner's childhood dream was to become an actress and she completely immersed herself in achieving her ambition. She acted all the time, at school, in her spare time, and neglected all of her school work. She went on to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and then later on joined the Royal Shakespeare Company. Career Her first role was in Hanky Park, by Walter Greenwood at the Oldham Repertory Theatre. She describes it as a "really traditional start." Skinner is best known for her starring role as Clare in the British TV comedy Life Begins and more recently as Sue in the BBC's Outnumbered. For many years, Skinner has preferred theatre to screen roles because she's been disappointed with her television and TV projects ("apart from Mike Leigh's stuff"), "not just when you see the final thing, but also because it hasn't taken off." Skinner has worked with some of the stage and screen directors which include Mike Leigh, Trevor Nunn, Tim Burton and Sam Mendes, but she remembers one particular director, Alan Ayckbourn, when she first started out: "He was a great influence for me as he pushed me so hard, but every director you work with has a big influence in some way, they really push you.” Personal life She is married and lives with her family in Muswell Hill, North London. Filmography Films - The Rachel Papers (1989)
- Life Is Sweet (1990)
- Naked (1993)
- I.D. (1994)
- Return of the Native (1994)
- Clockwork Mice (1995)
- You're Dead… (1999)
- Sleepy Hollow (1999)
- Mauvaise Passe aka Escort (1999)
- Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
- And When Did You Last See Your Father? (2007)
Theatre - The Playboy of the Western World by J.M. Synge
- Taking Steps-Revival by Alan Ayckbourn, Stephen Joseph Theatre, (1990)
- Invisible Friends by Alan Ayckbourn, Cottlesloe Theatre, National Theatre, (1991)
- Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare, Young Vic Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, (1992)
- The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde, (1993)
- Moonlight, by Harold Pinter, London's West End, (1993)
- Look Back in Anger, by John Osborne, Royal Exchange, Manchester, (1995)
- Charley’s Aunt, by Brandon Thomas, Royal Exchange, Manchester, (1995)
- The Glass Menagerie, by Tennessee Williams, Donmar Warehouse and Comedy Theatre,(1995)
- Othello by William Shakespeare, Lyttelton Theatre, Royal National Theatre, (1997)
- The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare, Olivier Theatre, Royal National Theatre, (2001)
- Mrs. Affleck, Little Eyolf, National Theatre, (slated to open 20 January 2009)
Radio - Old Harry's Game-- Christmas Special by Andy Hamilton on BBC Radio 4, (2002)
- Trevor's World of Sport by Andy Hamilton on BBC Radio 4, (2005,2006, 2007)
- Oblomov (2005)
- The Light of Knowledge by Mya Hnuang Nyo, BBC Radio 4, (2005)
- Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare, BBC Radio 4, (2005)
- Bed and Breakfast by Helen Simpson, BBC Radio 4, (2005)
- Not a Games Person, narrating Julie Myerson's play, BBC Radio 4, (2006)
- Sculptor's Daughter-Christmas, Snow, Pets and Females, and The Bays by Tove Jansson, BBC Radio 4, (2006)
- Standing Sideways, by Matt Charman, BBC Radio 4, (2006)
- Elizabeth and her German Garden, by Elizabeth von Arnim, BBC Radio 4, (2006)
| - School Runs, by Alexis Zegerman, BBC Radio 4, (2006)
- Jigsaw, by Sybille Bedford, BBC Radio 4, (2006, 2007)
- Poetry Please, reading various poems by Percy Bysshe, Mary Shelley, John Donne, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Thomas Hardy, Philip Larkin, BBC Radio 4, (2007)
- Mrs Warren's Profession, by George Bernard Shaw, BBC Radio 3, (2007)
- Bird Song BBC Radio 3, (2008)
- Don't Turn Around by Marian Garvey, BBC Radio 4, (2008)
- Five Easy Ways with Chilli by Scarlett Thomas, BBC Radio 4, (2008)
| Television - Inspector Morse (1989)
- Chef! (1993)
- The Peter Principle (1997-2000)
- A Dance to the Music of Time (1997)
- Brass Eye (1997)
- The Wingless Bird (1997)
- Second Sight (1999)
- Perfect Strangers (2001)
- Bedtime (TV series) (2001)
| - Eroica (2003)
- The Booze Cruise (2003)
- Trevor's World of Sport (2003)
- Life Begins (2004-2006)
- Murphy's Law (TV series) (2004)
- Charles Hazlewood 's The Genius of Mozart (2004)
- The Family Man (2006)
- Kingdom (TV series) (2007)
- The Trial of Tony Blair (2007)
| - Burn Up (2007)
- Outnumbered (2007-2008)
- The Commander (TV series) (2008)
- Trinity (2008)
| Awards - 1995 -Won- Critics' Circle Theatre Award Best Actress The Glass Menagerie.
- 1995 -Won- Time Out Award for Best Performance Off West End The Glass Menagerie.
- 1996 -Nominated- Laurence Olivier Award Best Supporting Performance The Glass Menagerie.
References - BBC (2000). "BBC The Boss Series Press Release" (PDF). Press release.
- The Washington Post (December 4, 1994). "A Beauty, a Rogue and a Good Man". Press release.
- BBC (2000). "BBC The Boss Series Press Release" (PDF). Press release.
- Time Out-London: Plugged In section, by Emma Perry (May 2001). "The Family Way: Claire Skinner warms to her role in Poliakoff’s new drama.". Press release.
- BBC (2000). "BBC The Boss Series Press Release" (PDF). Press release.
- BBC (7 July 2003). "Trevor's World of Sport" (PDF). Press release.
- "Mrs.Affleck: National Theatre (2009)".
- Holmwood, Leigh (2008-07-15). "ITV2 plans 'sex, drugs and murder' drama to follow Billie Piper hit series", guardian.co.uk, Guardian Media Group. Retrieved on 15 July 2008.
- "Critics' Circle Theatre Awards for 1995". Albemarle of London.,
- "Donmar Warehouse List of Awards for The Glass Menagerie-Time Out Award for 1995".
- "Olivier Winners 1996".
External links - Claire Skinner at the Internet Movie Database
| Persondata | | NAME | Skinner, Claire | | ALTERNATIVE NAMES | | | SHORT DESCRIPTION | English film, radio, stage, and television actress | | DATE OF BIRTH | 1965 | | PLACE OF BIRTH | Hemel Hempstead, England, UK | | DATE OF DEATH | | | PLACE OF DEATH | | |
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