Miriam lifts the lid on a Hollywood THE GOOD,THE BAD & THE SMELLY!
New Zealand Woman's Weekly|October 11, 2021
In her new memoir, the beloved British actress says the actions of some layded funnymen was no laughing matter
Miriam lifts the lid on a Hollywood THE GOOD,THE BAD & THE SMELLY!

When it comes to show business, there’s never been a star quite like Miriam Margolyes. The hilarious actress has graced chat-show host Graham’s Norton’s couch more times than she can remember and has starred in everything from Blackadder to The Age of Innocence.

“However successful I am,” laughs the British star, “I will go to my grave best known for playing Professor Pomona Sprout in two of the Harry Potter movies. But if I’m honest, I fell asleep during the premieres of both films!”

At the age of 80, Miriam has written an eye-popping memoir, This Much is True, , packed with intimate details of her own life and shockingly candid stories of the A-listers she’s worked with over the decades.

The self-deprecating actress says she entered the “precarious profession” of acting as a “short, fat Jewish girl with no neck” in the 1960s, daring to think she could make it.

And after building a successful career in the UK, she had her first brush with Hollywood in 1980, when she was asked to audition for a small part in the Warren Beatty movie Reds.

According to Warren’s biographer, the actor has had sex with at least 12,775 women and when Miriam knocked on his trailer door for a lunchtime appointment, he sexually propositioned her and she turned him down.

Miriam got the job regardless and says at one point during the shoot she mooned the Hollywood legend for being unkind to co-star Diane Keaton.

“The expression of shocked surprise frozen on his face still tickles me even now, but he completely deserved it.”

Unsurprisingly, Miriam didn’t have an entirely conventional upbringing.

This story is from the October 11, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the October 11, 2021 edition of New Zealand Woman's Weekly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEW ZEALAND WOMAN'S WEEKLYView All
Five minutes with...ASHLYN TYMMS
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Five minutes with...ASHLYN TYMMS

Standing ovation! The Aussie opera star’s singing the praises of hot chips and Kiwi ski slopes

time-read
2 mins  |
April 22, 2024
JESS NAILS THE PRIZE
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

JESS NAILS THE PRIZE

The young tradie can also put out fires should the need arise!

time-read
3 mins  |
April 22, 2024
MEET THE FAMOUS SIBLINGS
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

MEET THE FAMOUS SIBLINGS

But are they each others’ biggest fans or foes? Here they spill some home truths!

time-read
3 mins  |
April 22, 2024
Go get 'em, cowboy!
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Go get 'em, cowboy!

Beyoncé is riding high despite the controversy surrounding her new country album.

time-read
1 min  |
April 22, 2024
TRUE SPIRIT
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

TRUE SPIRIT

The Kiwi actress is bravely battling a mystery illness

time-read
1 min  |
April 22, 2024
KIA ORA, BRAVE KING!
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

KIA ORA, BRAVE KING!

The King is determined not to let his cancer stop him from making a trip to New Zealand later this year.

time-read
1 min  |
April 22, 2024
Holiday time FUN REIGNS!
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Holiday time FUN REIGNS!

Take the good times outside and create a magical world full of fantasy and whimsy with these fab projects

time-read
1 min  |
April 22, 2024
Compost SOS PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Compost SOS PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Making compost is not an exact science. Each batch will be different due to the seasonal availability of scraps, the changes in the weather and variations in your compost management.

time-read
2 mins  |
April 22, 2024
Crunch TIME!
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

Crunch TIME!

These flaky, tasty crackers are ideal to serve to guests or to tuck into a lunchbox

time-read
1 min  |
April 22, 2024
'WE CAN SURVIVE ANYTHING'
New Zealand Woman's Weekly

'WE CAN SURVIVE ANYTHING'

Having beaten the odds, the multi-sport champ’s teaching others  how to overcome dark times

time-read
3 mins  |
April 22, 2024