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It just recently dawned on me that so many of my favorite actors/actresses are from the UK.

Now, that's not to say I don't have favorite American actors/actresses, because I do. I have a lot of them. But there is something about the way the British deliver their lines that appeals to me; especially in comedy because their delivery is usually serious and very dry, which makes it hilariously funny.

But make no mistake, the Brits are outstanding in dramatic roles as well.

When you think about it, there is so much exceptional talent that comes out of the UK, whether it be actors/actresses, musicians, artists, singers, or writers.

The UK seems to give birth to a great deal of creativity.

Some of my own personal favorite British actors/actresses are:

Men: Tom Courtenay, Anthony Hopkins, Ben KingsleySteve Coogan, John Hurt, and Ian McKellen.

Women: Julie Walters, Angela Lansbury, Emily BluntBrenda Blethyn, and Tracey Ullman.

However, my ultimate fantasy would be to meet up with my top three favorite British actresses, who I could watch in movies over and over and over again, and never tire of watching them because each one is a genius at shapeshifting, completely changing themselves into another character both physically and emotionally, until you forget who you're looking at.

And each of these ladies excels in both comedy and drama; keeping you riveted whenever they're on the screen, even when they're not speaking, because you can tell what their character is feeling just by looking at their eyes. Their eyes project anything and everything you need to know.

I also admire how they are still very much active in the movie industry; miraculously not affected by ageism.

They just keep going on.

Meet my three favorite British ladies, who in my opinion, are positively BRILLIANT!







Not only do I think these ladies are extremely talented as actresses, but I've also seen them in countless interviews and have always admired how grounded and unpretentious they seem to be.

And they also look like they would be SO MUCH fun to casually hang out with; drinking wine; telling dirty jokes; and laughing. All three seem fun and feisty, which I adore.

So yes, if I could somehow manifest a fantasy, it would be to spend a whole day with Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Helen Mirren; eating delicious food; drinking delicious wine; sharing delicious stories; and laughing our asses off.

I would be in AWE!

I mean, just picture it. Me, and these three incredible dames...


Have a great rest of your week, everyone!
X

30 comments:

  1. Good morning, Ron. I knew today was going to be a good one!! Such praise indeed, deserving, of course, is enough to have me jumping with joy. I can only agree with your comments about those English actresses who certainly live up to your observations. Helen Mirren has always been a favourite of mine, and of course the great Maggie Smith.

    Thanks for giving my day a good start. I appreciate it.

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  2. Anthony Hopkins, of course! But... Idris Elba I'd add in... for eye candy, voice, and we did like him very much in Luther.
    Your 3 fav Brit ladies... YES!!!! LOVE them all!! Since my fav movie is Chocolat, of course Dame Judi was wonderful. And Maggie Smith is great all of the time too, but one of my other fav movies is Murder By Death, she was Dora Charleston, wife of Dick, played by David Niven who was in a movie Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, funny also, with Michael Caine, another one I like. And Helen Mirren... fabulous! The Hundred Foot Journey, have you seen it. Wonderful!
    I'm going to stop rambling now because I don't even know if this comment will post! Gah... computer issues or something, it's been a PIA to leave love on blogs lately. And let's not even talk about how bad our internet is at times, whole other story! LOL

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  3. Morning Valerie!

    You know, the other night I was watching a film with both Judi Dench and Steve Coogan entitled, "Philomena." OMG...it was soooooooooooo good! It's a story based from a true story about a woman from Ireland who travels to America to find her son who was taken from her and put up for adoption when she was a young girl. I don't want to tell you the whole story in case you decide to watch. But the film is amazing. Both Judi and Steve are incredible!

    It was at that time that it dawned on me how so many of my favorite actors/actresses are from the UK, which prompted me to write this post.

    " Helen Mirren has always been a favourite of mine, and of course the great Maggie Smith."

    Yes! Aren't they both faaaaaaaaabulous? I just recently watched an interview with Maggie Smith and laughed all through it because she is so funny!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great rest of your day!
    X

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  4. Isn't Anthony Hopkins A-MAZING?!? I think I've seen pretty much all of his films. He is SUCH an incredible actor. And very diverse.

    I don't know, Idris Elba, but will look into his biography later. Thanks for mentioning him.

    "Since my fav movie is Chocolat, of course Dame Judi was wonderful. "

    HA! Funny you mentioned that film because I recently watched it again. LOVE that film!

    YES to David Niven and Michael Caine! Brilliant actors!

    No, I've never seen, The Hundred Foot Journey, but will look for it because I anything with Helen Mirren, I know I will LOVE.

    I took have been having internet issues, but I think it's more about my computer because it's so slow. I've had this computer for about 5 years and I think it's just running out of space, which is why it's so slow.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great week and weekend! And Happy Belated Labor Day!

    X

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  5. Do you have Amazon Prime? If so you would love "Tea With the Dames" - has some of your favorite ladies in it. (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7363336/)

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  6. OMG Grace...yes! yes! yes! I saw that film last year. I don't have Amazon Prime or cable, however, I was able to see it on a free movie website that is no longer up and running. The website shut down over the summer and I was so bummed because they offered a ton of really great films.

    That film was marvelous! It feature another one of my favorite UK actresses (Joan Plowright). I adore that lady! She was married to Lawrence Olivier.

    Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a great rest of your week!
    X

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  7. Ron, I love the black and white photo of you drinking wine with the three ladies. Very clever edited! You have great taste in actors/actresses because many of the ones you listed are favorites of mine as well. A few I didn't know who they were, so thanks for linking them.

    Did you ever see "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel?" There is two. Maggie Smith and Judi Dench are in both of them. Wonderful films!

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  8. I can totally see you hanging out with them and being quite bawdy! LOL . . . and I like how you say "several bottles of wine." Because just one bottle ain't gonna do it! LMAO!
    Isn't that younger version of Judi Dench adorable? Cute as a button. I know I've seen all these women in films, but I can't really remember anything specific because it's been quite a while and my memory sucks these days. If I ever see a contest where a person could win a dinner with one of them, I will let you know! XO

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  9. You're so much fun, Ron! I"m sure they'd love hanging out with you too!

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  10. Sooo funny, Ron! Yes, I think you've chosen well, my friend. Judi, Helen, and Maggie would make great drinking buddies ... for an evening or for longer!


    But then, isn't that a perfect way to choose our friends? By not focusing on their age but what's inside, by reveling in their genius and personality and learning from their classiness?!?


    Great post, Ron. Hope you enjoy the rest of the week -- and that Dorian departs before reaching your area! xx

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  11. Thanks, Candice! I took me FOREVER to edit that photographs because I use an online editor that is not the most professional, so I had to resize my head 100 times to fit in the picture and match the female body LOL!

    YES! OMG...I freaking LOVED The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel! I've seen both of them, which I enjoyed equally. However, the second one left me speechless because of the ending and how INCREDIBLE Maggie Smith was. The ending brought tears to my eyes.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great weekend!
    X

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  12. "and I like how you say "several bottles of wine." Because just one bottle ain't gonna do it! LMAO!"

    Yes, your darn right. In fact, I think between the four of us we'd need a CASE of wine LOL!

    Yes, that picture of Judi Dench is adorable! What a GREAT face she has (both THEN and NOW). She had/has such an amazing and diverse career. She's pretty much done it all. I just recently saw her in the movie, Philomena, and it was beyond brilliant.

    "If I ever see a contest where a person could win a dinner with one of them, I will let you know! "

    Oh, THANK YOU! I'll pay you a MILLIONS dollars! LOL!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaaaaabulous weekend!
    X

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  13. Hellooooooooooo there Jean!

    Always such a GREAT treat to see your comments!

    I've been such a fan of each one of these ladies for such a long time. Not only do I think they are BEYOND talented, but there is something "them" that makes me believe that they would be a HOOT to hang out with, drinking wine and telling dirty jokes!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope all is well with you and that you had a great summer. And Happy Belated Labor Day!

    X

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  14. Hey there Debbie!

    Thank you :) I ADORE these three dames!

    "But then, isn't that a perfect way to choose our friends? By not focusing on their age but what's inside, by reveling in their genius and personality and learning from their classiness?!?"

    Yes! You said it perfectly! They are women who I would love to have as close friends because not only do I think it would it be fun, but I also think I would learn a great deal from knowing them. Having seen them in so many interviews over the years, they seem to have so much knowledge not only about acting, but life in general.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a faaaaaaaaabulous weekend!

    X

    P.S. Yes, hopefully Dorian will blow out to sea so that we (especially New York City) doesn't experience another Sandy!

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  15. I don't think I've ever seen a young Judi Dench before. What a babe! She has matured very nicely (and is, of course, a fabulous actress). My favorite British actress is probably Kate Winslet, just because she's so talented and versatile. And also a babe.

    Hey, guess what arrived in our mailbox from Netflix this week? "The Goodbye Girl." I know that's one of your faves—can't wait to finally check it out.

    Have a great weekend, my friend!

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  16. Ron, my girlfriend and I are huge fans of the Harry Potter series (books and movies) so we know Maggie Smith very well. I've seen all three of your favorite ladies in various films and agree, brilliant actresses! I too like Steve Coogan. Did you ever see him and John C. Reilly in the movie Ollie and Stan? They are both so good in it.

    ROFLMAO at the picture of you. Hilarious, dude!

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  17. Hey there Matt!

    Can you believe that I (being such a HUGE Maggie Smith fan) have never seen even ONE of those films or even read the books. However, people say they're faaaaaaabulous! I really much try to at least see the films.

    "Did you ever see him and John C. Reilly in the movie Ollie and Stan? They are both so good in it."

    OMG...yes!...yes!...yes! I did see that film! I saw it last winter sometime. And I LOVED it! I actually watched it twice because I enjoyed it the first time so much. I agree, the two of them were freaking amazing! And I especially enjoyed the film because I knew nothing about Laurel and Hardy. As a kid, I had seen many of their films, but I didn't know anything personal about them. The movie was like a love story between two men who had such a special bond.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, Matt! Have a grrrrrrreat weekend!
    X

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  18. Mark, isn't the picture of Judi Dench as a young girl ADORABLE? I agree....what a BABE! She has (then and now) such a wonderful face!

    "My favorite British actress is probably Kate Winslet, just because she's so talented and versatile. And also a babe."

    It's so ironic you mentioned Kate Winslet because I she's also one of my faves and I was going to list her on my list, but I didn't want to list to read to long. But I agree, talented and SO versatile! I love her in both drama and comedy. She's actually quite funny in the comedies I've seen her in.

    "Hey, guess what arrived in our mailbox from Netflix this week? "The Goodbye Girl." I know that's one of your faves—can't wait to finally check it out."

    OMG, that's AWESOME! And I have a feeling your gonna love it! Both Marsha Mason and Richard Dreyfuss are perfect in the roles. And I love the time period it's set in - the 70's - when I was living in NYC. In fact, it was shot during the time I was living there. New York was so gritty and raw back then.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great weekend!

    X to you and Tara

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  19. Ron, love. this. post.! Your photographs of you with the ladies are so cute! I'm happy to see Emily Blunt's name on your list because I love her! Ever since seeing her in The Devil Wears Prada, I was hooked. I love her husband too. I used to watch Downton Abbey with Maggie Smith. She was my favorite character on the show. Love Helen Mirren too. She still looks amazing. And Judi Dench! The best. That younger photo of her is just lovely. Beautiful!

    Fun post, Ron! Thanks for the smiles :) X

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  20. Hola Denise!

    "ver since seeing her in The Devil Wears Prada, I was hooked. I love her husband too."

    Yes to BOTH of those! For me, she was my favorite character in The Devil Wears Prada. And isn't it funny how her characters name was Emily as well? I think her husband is so cute. And very good actor. Last year they made a film together (Quiet). I saw the trailer, but have not seen the movie. It looked VERY good! It's a thriller.

    I always heard how great Downton Abby was, but since I don't have cable (or even a TV), I never saw it. I bet I can find it online though. Maggie Smith said in an interview that Downton Abby made her so much more well-known to the public.

    To me, Helen Mirren just keeps getting better looking with age. She's very sexy!

    Ah...and Judi Dench! Don't you just love that photo of her. What a cutie!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Hope you're enjoying a fabulous weekend!

    X

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  21. Ron, in my opinion you couldn't have chosen a more perfect three ladies to drink wine with because I love them all! I remember seeing Maggie Smith in so many movies back in the 70's and 80's. That's when I fell in love with her wonderful talent.

    "I also admire how they are still very much active in the movie industry; miraculously not affected by ageism.They just keep going on." Yes, isn't that amazing? Especially in business where age is such a major factor in longevity. Or rather, shortgevity. LOL! I so admire these three women.

    What movie is that photograph (lower right-hand corner) in the collage of Judi Dench from? I don't recognize it.

    Fun post, Ron! That photo of you and the ladies is hysterical!

    Enjoy the cooler weather we're having!

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  22. Hey there Elaine!

    Aren't these three ladies faaaaaaaaaabulous? I love many British actresses, but these three are my top three.

    "I remember seeing Maggie Smith in so many movies back in the 70's and 80's. That's when I fell in love with her wonderful talent."

    Me as well. In fact, the very first movie I remember seeing her was in the Neil Simon film, "California Suite." Michael Cain was also in it. Then, I went back and watched many of her earlier films. She's has a very diverse filmography.

    The photograph of Judi Dench in from the movie, "Victoria and Abdul." AMAZING film! It's based on a true story of Queen Victoria and her personal assistant,Abdul Karim. Once again, Judi ROCKS!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, neighbor! OMG...I am sooooooooo loving the cooler weather and I hope it never goes away. I had off yesterday, so I spent the whole day outside enjoying it!

    Have a super week!
    X

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  23. http://ladyfi.wordpress.comSunday, September 08, 2019

    Oh Ron, I adore your sense of humour! And being an ex-pat Brit myself, I can but agree with you!

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  24. Thank you, Fiona! :)

    Aren't these three British ladies faaaaaaaaaaabulous? I adore them!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a great week!
    X

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  25. Excellent choices, Ron, and, golly, you sure look good in a dress! Who knew?

    I'm a huge fan of Helen Mirren--and I love Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, as well.

    Now that I think of it, my two favorite actors of the moment are British: Nicola Walker and Mark Strong, whom I had the pleasure of seeing together on Broadway a few years ago in "A View from the Bridge."

    Thanks so much for your sharing your thoughts, buddy, now go try on another dress!

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  26. Yes, Yes, YES!! Three superb choices! I'm so excited to see Maggie Smith in the upcoming Downton Abbey movie. I absolutely adore the Dowager Countess and can't wait to see what quippy one-liners she has in store for us. And.....she was fabulous as Professor Minerva McGonagall in Harry Potter. Helen Mirren is also one of my all-time favorite classy actresses. I love that you gave us a snapshot of them throughout the decades. Maggie Smith has a little bit of a Julie Andrews/Sound of Music look about her in the second shot you chose. Must be the hairstyle. Since we can't drink with them in person, let's grab three bottles of wine and watch their movies. :-)

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  27. HA! Don't I look faaaaaaabulous in that dress, Rob? It's one of grandmothers old dresses that she willed to me LOL!

    Aren't these three ladies DIVINE? Not only are they incredible actresses, but from what I can gather from interviews I've seen, they look like they would be a HOOT to hang out with and drink wine!

    "...my two favorite actors of the moment are British: Nicola Walker and Mark Strong, whom I had the pleasure of seeing together on Broadway a few years ago in "A View from the Bridge."

    OMG....that's AWESOME! I had to Google and looked them up because I did not know of them. I saw some photographs online of them from the play you mentioned. I've always been attracted to British actors/actresses because I find them exceptionally talented.

    Thanks so much for stopping by, buddy. Have a fantabulous week!

    X

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  28. Lisa, aren't these three ladies deliciously DIVINE? I don't watch TV, so I had to go online and find the episodes of Downton Abby because everyone I know RAVED about it. Yes, I heard from an interview I saw that the movie version is being released soon. I MUST go see it! That photograph you mentioned in the collage is of Maggie Smith in the movie, "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" She won an Oscar for that role. And she deserved it because she was remarkable!

    What I love about Helen Mirren is that she's classy, yes, but also feisty and spicy.

    "Since we can't drink with them in person, let's grab three bottles of wine and watch their movies."

    HA! Yes....EXCELLENT idea!!!!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. Have a fantastic week!
    X

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  29. Thanks for letting me know the name of the film, Ron! I will look for it on Netflix because it sounds so interesting.

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  30. You are so welcome, Elaine! You're gonna LOVE it!!!

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