Biografía

Mother, with Michael Wells, of son Orlando Wells and daughter Sasha Wells, both of whom co-starred with their mother in A Christmas Carol (1984), portraying two of her character (Mrs. Cratchit)'s onscreen offspring.

Was also a writer of children's books. Her publications include "In Search of Unicorns" (1973) and "Lark's Castle" (1975).

Stepped into the role of Margaret in El hombre de dos reinos (1966) as a last-minute replacement for Vanessa Redgrave, who opted out of the film in favor of appearing on stage in the tile role in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie".

She was awarded Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by French culture minister Jack Lang in 1991.

She appeared in two Best Picture Academy Award winners: Tom Jones, hombre de audacia (1963) and El hombre de dos reinos (1966).

[on being Oscar nominated for her role in Baile de ilusiones (1969)] "I don't think I have much of a chance and I didn't think much of myself in it."

I usually find that actors are rather interested people. It's part of our profession. It all starts with curiosity about other human beings. The best actors have that kind of interest in people and in life.

[speaking in 2005] "I think I've had good luck in the quality and talent of the people I've worked with. Getting on well with other actors has also been important. In my experience, really good actors are often really good eggs, and Marlon Brando and Liz Taylor are no exception."

[speaking in 2005] "I'm an infinitely better actress now than I was 30 years ago because I've had experiences and I've learned. I do look back on some roles and think I was dreadful, but I'm not going to tell you which performances I'm talking about."

[on Tom Jones, hombre de audacia (1963)] "I'd actually turned it down three times because I really wanted to do some theatre. I had made up my mind to say no once and for all at a lunch I cooked for Tony Richardson, after three or four wooing lunches from him and Vanessa Redgrave. I did all the classic things - salt instead of sugar, burnt the meringues - and, in the midst of all my apologies, I accepted".