About
Frances Barber (née Brookes, born 13 May 1958) is an English actress. She received Olivier Award nominations for her work in the plays Camille (1985), and Uncle Vanya (1997). Her film appearances include three collaborations with Gary Oldman in Prick Up Your Ears (1987), We Think the World of You (1988) and Dead Fish (2005); as well as Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987); Soft Top Hard Shoulder (1992); and latterly Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (2017). Barber’s numerous television credits include The Street (2009), Doctor Who (2011), Silk (2012–2014), and Whitstable Pearl (2021–2025).
Barber was born in Wolverhampton, Staffordshire. Her parents are S.W. Brookes and Gladys Simpson; Barber is the fourth of six children. She attended the Wolverhampton Municipal Grammar School.
Barber studied drama at the University College of North Wales in Bangor, where she was a contemporary of director Danny Boyle, who became her boyfriend.
She appeared in the Pet Shop Boys’ musical Closer to Heaven in 2001 as well as being guest singer for the song “Friendly Fire” on the Pet Shop Boys’ 2006 live concert at the Mermaid Theatre. She also appeared alongside Ian McKellen and Roger…
Born On This Day
Bio and photo via Wikipedia, used under Creative Commons licensing.