With an illustrious career that spans years, Alison Steadman is a much loved actress we're all familiar with. But how much do you know about her?
Alison's movies and tv shows
You may recognise Alison Steadman as mouthy Joyce in Boomers, fun-loving, shot-swigging Pamela in Gavin and Stacey alongside Larry Lamb, Edith in Hold the Sunset with John Cleese, farcical Mrs Bennet in Pride and Prejudice, Betty Simpson in Fat Friends with Gavin and Stacey co-star Ruth Jones, and of course the outrageous Beverly in Abigail’s Party… in fact many of the characters Alison Steadman has played throughout her illustrious career have been larger than life.
While comedy is Alison’s forte, her recent forays into straight acting have impressed the critics. "Comedy has always been my favourite," she says, "but intriguing parts have been coming up, and if the writing’s good, I’m in."
She stepped into record-breaking viewing figures with the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special in 2019, but could the show’s success lead to a series four?
The much-loved actress is so superb at her craft, it’s hard to imagine that she ever harboured doubts about her abilities as an actress. But when she was a drama student she most certainly did and it was her mum, Marjorie, who talked her through those difficult times.
How old is Alison Steadman?
Alison was born on 26 August 1946, currently making her 76.
“I’m not one of those people who say they feel like they’re still 16," says Alison, "I don’t. I’ve had too many life experiences to feel like a 16-year-old and I certainly don’t have the energy of one! I still love life, though, and count my blessings that, thank goodness, I still have my health, touch wood! I’ve lost many friends over the last few years and you never know when it’s going to be your turn. Nobody does. That’s the reality of life. But it’s the reason I make the most of every day and try to have fun.”
Where was she born?
Alison was born in Liverpool to parents Marjorie (née Evans) and George Percival Steadman.
Although she didn't play one of the Welsh characters in Gavin and Stacey, Alison is also in fact Welsh! In 2011, Alison was part of BBC One Wales series, Coming Home where she discovered more about her ancestry.
Who is Alison Steadman's husband?
Alison was previously married to actor and director Mike Leigh – best known for his role as Sir Edward in the BBC series Robin Hood
Mike and Alison separated in 1995 and divorced in 2001. Alison is now in a relationship with actor Michael Elwyn.
Does Alison Steadman have children?
Alison is a mum to Toby and Leo, the sons from her marriage to Mike Leigh. Both of her sons are now in their 30s, but like all mums, Alison still fondly recalls their first moments. “I love being a mum,” she’s often revealed. “My two boys mean more to me than anything.
"I’d love to go back in time to when I had my sons. Just to look at them. I remember when they were born, looking at them and thinking – goodness, I just made that child! They were the two best days of my life. And then when they smile for the first time! When that happens, it’s like the world just glows a brighter colour.”
Alison was heavily pregnant with her son while filming Abigail's Party in 1977 but wore flowing dresses to disguise her bump.
Where does she live?
Alison lives in Highgate, London with her partner Michael.
Alison on....
...23 Walks
Gentle, lovely and heart- felt film 23 Walks, telling the tale of a 60-plus, unattached man and woman who form a relationship after meeting through walking their dogs, was the unexpected cinema hit of last autumn.
Recently released on DVD, the movie is no less touching on the small screen – proving it’s never too late for love and forming new friendships and relationships. Something of which its star, Alison Steadman, heartily approves. “Thank goodness writers have suddenly woken up and realised there are interesting stories for those over 60. People don’t suddenly stop living when they get to a certain age,” she has said.
23 Walks is set against the dramatic backdrop of the changing seasons. It’s a wonderfully poignant, moving and warm-hearted tale, perfect for watching curled up on the sofa on a cold winter’s day with a cuppa in hand.
Alison plays divorcee Fern – whose husband has left her for a younger woman. She meets fellow dog walker Dave (Dave Johns) in a London park while they are out walking their dogs. So begins a journey where they start to tentatively fall in love.
“My character Fern is the kind of woman who certainly wouldn’t just hop into bed with anyone. She makes sure that she trusts this person and is fond of him before she commits to anything. But I think it is great that people over 70 are still regarded as living creatures that have feelings and emotions like everyone else does. People think, ‘Oh, well once you’re over 60, that side of your life is gone. No, you’re not interested in that’. Well look, it’s not the most important part of your life but it is still there,” she has said.
23 Walks, starring Alison Steadman and Dave Johns, is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video or on DVD
Alison's relationship with her mum
“I was very nervous when I started acting but my dear mum was always behind me, giving me courage,” she revealed at a talk she gave at London’s British Film Institute. “I'd say I didn't think I'd be able to do something and she'd always reply, ‘Never say can't, Alison, always say you can and you will.’ I'd keep that phrase with me all the time. I needed her to boost my confidence.
“When I was at drama school and nervous about a production, I’d save my coins to ring her up and she'd talk me through it. She always encouraged me.”
Right from the very beginning, Alison says her mum nurtured her talent. “She encouraged my acting. I would constantly borrow her clothes to play dress-up. We got a telly when I was seven and I’d watch people such as Hylda Baker and Beryl Reid and impersonate them. Very often my mum would say ‘Oh, turn the television off. There's nothing on. Come on, Alison, do us some Hylda Baker’.”
Sadly Marjorie passed away in 1996 after being diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer in 1994.
Alison has been a huge supporter of Marie Curie ever since, as Marjorie was cared for in the Marie Curie Hospice in Liverpool.
“We had a great relationship,” says Alison. “I think the whole acting thing comes from her side of the family. She was a great character with a gift for words and sayings and nicknames for everybody. My mother always looked her best. She never went to the shops without lipstick on, and would say to me: ‘Put a bit of lippy on, you'll feel better.’ I've found that to be true!
“I loved her – and my dad – dearly but I often think back to the odd times when she‘d be telling me something and I remember being conscious of kind of brushing over it, being too busy and not really listening to her. I’d love to be able to go back and ask her what made her say such-and-such a thing.”
Alison Steadman in Boomers
The sitcom, which has been likened to classic TV show Friends for the baby-boomer generation, tends not to dwell on the aches and pains we all suffer as we get older but Alison reckons there’s a seam of comedy gold here, too.
“The first thing my real-life friends and I do when we get together is have a bit of a moan about our respective ailments,” she laughs. “We’ll then have a discussion about various new products and treatments one or another of us will have just ‘discovered’. One of my friends in particular is always up to date with the latest fads. They’re mind-boggling, though, aren’t they? Fads. For years you’re told not to eat butter but low-fat spreads then suddenly butter’s fine again and it’s the spreads we shouldn’t have. One year, you should drink milk, then you shouldn’t. When I was younger it was all ‘Go to work on an egg’, then we were told we should limit the amount we eat and now it’s supposed to be good to have lots of eggs again… Yes, there’s lots of comedy value here."
There probably is with smartphone and tablet technology, too. “You’re right,” Alison agrees. “I know my phone does much more than I do with it but I can’t be bothered to sit down and work it all out. Occasionally I’ll press something by accident and discover a new function, and that’s quite fun. I’m able to do enough for me, though. I text, e-mail, do emojis, and take and send photos… and I have to say I love my phone. Now I wonder what I ever did without it, although we all managed, didn’t we?
“I think smartphones and iPads are quite amazing, although I’m definitely not one for taking selfies. When my partner Michael was working in New York for six months last year, we spoke to each other on FaceTime all the time, and he was able to show me around the apartment he was renting, even though I was thousands of miles away. When I was younger, people didn’t even phone each other that often because it was too expensive.”
Boomers is streaming now on Acorn TV UK (free 30 days trial available).
Interestingly, her recent standout roles have reflected not just where she’s at, but where we’re at, too. A seismic shift is occurring in our attitude to aging.
“It’s so nice that shows are being made that say something about, and are relevant to, our age group. It used to be said that an actress’s career was over at 40 because everything was written for 25-35 year-olds but happily that’s not the case any more. It’s all changed, thank goodness.”
Stephanie Anthony is the Deputy Digital Editor of Yours.co.uk. Having worked across a variety of topics, from travel and food to pharmaceuticals, she also has a particular interest in mental health and wellness. She has a house full of pets with two dogs and two cats.