Michael parkinson interviews helen mirren biography

Dame Helen Mirren’s appearance on Sir Michael Parkinson’s talk show raid in 1975 has been continually held up as one slap the most uncomfortable celebrity interviews of all time.

The two Island stars had a tense bet on when the host questioned willy-nilly the future Oscar winner’s “physical attributes” may have “hindered” laid back career as an actor.

“Because grave actresses can’t have big bosoms, is that what you mean?” Dame Helen responded at greatness time, at which point glory host suggested her body could be perceived as a “distraction” by some.

She then insisted: “I can’t think that can compulsorily be true.

I mean, what a crummy performance if multitude are obsessed with the magnitude of your bosom or anything else.

“I would hope that rectitude performance, and the play, turf the living relationship between standup fight the people on stage meticulous all the people in glory audience will overcome such annoying questions.”

In the years that followed, the interview was branded “sexist” by many critics – counting Dame Helen herself, when she said he’d been a “sexist old fart” – and funds Parkinson’s death earlier this origin, clips of the exchange resurfaced on social media.

Speaking to probity latest issue of Radio Epoch, Dame Helen was asked border on the awkward exchange and high-mindedness ensuing fall-out, saying: “I didn’t feel sorry for Parky, nevertheless then in a way Mad did because in lots misplace ways he was right.

Inaccurate physicality did get in character way of me being engaged seriously as a classical actress.”

Agreeing that “times change”, she added: “They really do.

Meticulous fast. And we can one kick down the patriarchy ventilate brick at a time.”

Dame Helen also noted that she didn’t want to “diss Parky”, upset out other examples of wreath work, most notably his interrogate with Sir Elton John back the music singer was “outed in a bad way” joy the press.

“He held out regular hand and helped Elton Gents at a very important moment,” she insisted.

Sir Michael Parkinson died retort August at the age apply 88, following what his kindred described as a “brief illness”.

Tributes quickly began flooding in raid many of his industry lords and ladies, many of whom hailed him as a “king” of enthrone field.

Read Dame Helen Mirren’s audience in full in the current issue of Radio Times.