The lookalike actor who played the Queen for 50 years, including in Naked Gun and Austin Powers films, died on 2 June
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Jeannette Charles, the British actor best known for her striking resemblance of Queen Elizabeth II that landed her roles in Naked Gun and Austin Powers, has died at the age of 96.
On Wednesday the actor’s daughter, Carol Christophi, announced her mother died on 2 June in a care home in Great Baddow, Essex.
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Jeannette Charles, the British actor best known for her striking resemblance of Queen Elizabeth II that landed her roles in Naked Gun and Austin Powers, has died at the age of 96.
On Wednesday the actor’s daughter, Carol Christophi, announced her mother died on 2 June in a care home in Great Baddow, Essex.
- 6/6/2024
- by Claire Keenan
- The Guardian - Film News
Jeannette Charles, an actress whose uncanny resemblance to Queen Elizabeth II launched a movie career that included scene-stealing moments in National Lampoon’s European Vacation, The Naked Gun, and Austin Powers sequel Goldmember, died June 2 at a care home in Great Beddow in Essex, England. She was 96.
Her death was announced by daughter Carol Christophi to UK publications The Mirror and The Standard. “Mum was a real character and a force of nature,” Christophi said in a statement. “She had an amazing life.” In an interview with UK radio station Lbc, Christophi said, “She was always respectful of the Queen and adored the Royal Family. We will miss her dearly.”
In a 2022 essay for The Guardian, Charles explained how she began her career as a lookalike. “Before I had children,” she wrote, “I’d worked as an au pair and a typist, but I’d always wanted to act. I’d been in amateur productions,...
Her death was announced by daughter Carol Christophi to UK publications The Mirror and The Standard. “Mum was a real character and a force of nature,” Christophi said in a statement. “She had an amazing life.” In an interview with UK radio station Lbc, Christophi said, “She was always respectful of the Queen and adored the Royal Family. We will miss her dearly.”
In a 2022 essay for The Guardian, Charles explained how she began her career as a lookalike. “Before I had children,” she wrote, “I’d worked as an au pair and a typist, but I’d always wanted to act. I’d been in amateur productions,...
- 6/5/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Jeannette Charles, the Queen Elizabeth II look-alike who played the British monarch for laughs in National Lampoon’s European Vacation, in the first Naked Gun movie and in the last Austin Powers film, has died. She was 96.
Charles died Sunday at a hospice facility in Great Baddow, Essex, England, her daughter, Carol Christophi, announced. “Mum was a real character and a force of nature. She had an amazing life,” she said. “She was always respectful of the queen and adored the royal family.”
Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, also at age 96.
Charles spent more than four decades doubling for the head of state before she wound down her career in 2014.
“I think the first time I was recognized [as the queen] was on a trip [in 1971] to Capri in Italy, with my Italian pen friend Florence,” she recalled in a 2012 interview. “Someone shouted ‘Princess Elizabeth’ in Italian, my friend explained her majesty had...
Charles died Sunday at a hospice facility in Great Baddow, Essex, England, her daughter, Carol Christophi, announced. “Mum was a real character and a force of nature. She had an amazing life,” she said. “She was always respectful of the queen and adored the royal family.”
Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, also at age 96.
Charles spent more than four decades doubling for the head of state before she wound down her career in 2014.
“I think the first time I was recognized [as the queen] was on a trip [in 1971] to Capri in Italy, with my Italian pen friend Florence,” she recalled in a 2012 interview. “Someone shouted ‘Princess Elizabeth’ in Italian, my friend explained her majesty had...
- 6/5/2024
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jeanette Charles, Queen Elizabeth Lookalike Actress From The Naked Gun and Austin Powers, Dead at 96
Jeanette Charles, a British actress famous for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in countless films and television series including The Naked Gun, National Lampoon’s European Vacation, and Austin Powers in Goldmember, has died at the age of 96.
Hailing from Essex, Charles ironically had trouble obtaining roles in her early days due to her resemblance to the Queen of England. However, when she began to receive lucrative offers to portray the Queen both in advertisements and in film, she began to embrace her role as an impersonator.
Charles’ most notable on-screen appearances as Queen Elizabeth came in 1985’s National Lampoon’s European Vacation, where she appeared in Ellen Griswold’s dreams; in 1988’s The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, where she was the target of an assassination plot at an Anaheim Angels baseball game — and also threw a screwball; and in 2002’s Austin Powers in Goldmember, where she honored Austin with knighthood.
Hailing from Essex, Charles ironically had trouble obtaining roles in her early days due to her resemblance to the Queen of England. However, when she began to receive lucrative offers to portray the Queen both in advertisements and in film, she began to embrace her role as an impersonator.
Charles’ most notable on-screen appearances as Queen Elizabeth came in 1985’s National Lampoon’s European Vacation, where she appeared in Ellen Griswold’s dreams; in 1988’s The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!, where she was the target of an assassination plot at an Anaheim Angels baseball game — and also threw a screwball; and in 2002’s Austin Powers in Goldmember, where she honored Austin with knighthood.
- 6/5/2024
- by Scoop Harrison
- Consequence - Film News
Exclusive: One of Hollywood’s classic slapstick comedy franchises is looking to make its way back to the big screen. Sources tell Deadline that Paramount Pictures is moving forward with a new Naked Gun reboot, with Liam Neeson is in negotiations to star and Akiva Schaffer set to direct. While no greenlight has been given, sources say its headed in that direction once a deal closes for Neeson.
Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, who just worked with Schaffer on the Emmy-winning Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers pic, also closed a deal to pen the script. Mark Hentemann & Alec Sulkin wrote the previous draft. Schaffer also will exec produce. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins are producing via their company Fuzzy Door.
Plot details are being kept under wraps except that Neeson might be playing the son of Detective Frank Drebin instead of stepping into the role made famous by Leslie Nielsen.
Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, who just worked with Schaffer on the Emmy-winning Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers pic, also closed a deal to pen the script. Mark Hentemann & Alec Sulkin wrote the previous draft. Schaffer also will exec produce. Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins are producing via their company Fuzzy Door.
Plot details are being kept under wraps except that Neeson might be playing the son of Detective Frank Drebin instead of stepping into the role made famous by Leslie Nielsen.
- 10/13/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
A remarkable range of actors have played Queen Elizabeth II, who died today at the age of 96. The range of takes on her life has been equally remarkable, from Oscar and Emmy-winning biopics, to comedies to family films to animated sendups.
One actress has played the Royal for nearly as long as she reigned: Jeannette Charles has essayed the role at least five times over the course of 50 years. Three actresses have played Elizabeth during the run of The Crown, Season 5 of which is due soon from Netflix. A surprising number of men have played the part, as well, including Fred Armisen on SNL.
Click on the image above to see photos those who’ve played Queen Elizabeth II through the years.
Launch Gallery: The Queen Onscreen: 15 Actresses (And Actors) Who've Played Elizabeth II In Films And On TV...
One actress has played the Royal for nearly as long as she reigned: Jeannette Charles has essayed the role at least five times over the course of 50 years. Three actresses have played Elizabeth during the run of The Crown, Season 5 of which is due soon from Netflix. A surprising number of men have played the part, as well, including Fred Armisen on SNL.
Click on the image above to see photos those who’ve played Queen Elizabeth II through the years.
Launch Gallery: The Queen Onscreen: 15 Actresses (And Actors) Who've Played Elizabeth II In Films And On TV...
- 9/9/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
You don’t serve as head of state for almost three-quarters of a century without getting lampooned now and then. As a cultural constant, Queen Elizabeth II inspired everything from affectionate caricature to sneering punk anthems. She also excelled at playing herself alongside fellow British figures like Paddington Bear and James Bond. Here, 18 times the monarch’s outsized influence helped shape pop culture.
1969: The Beatles – “Her Majesty”
A 23-second-long unlisted track on Abbey Road, “Her Majesty,” is about being too drunk to profess your feelings to a capricious and...
1969: The Beatles – “Her Majesty”
A 23-second-long unlisted track on Abbey Road, “Her Majesty,” is about being too drunk to profess your feelings to a capricious and...
- 9/8/2022
- by EJ Dickson, Elisabeth Garber-Paul, CT Jones, Miles Klee, Andrea Marks, Angie Martoccio and Lisa Tozzi
- Rollingstone.com
After ruling Britain for 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II is now being mourned by the world.
The queen died at age 96 after some months of health complications. Her eldest son, Prince Charles of Wales, is now king, with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, next in line for the throne.
The queen died after being placed under medical supervision and a rescheduled Privy Council meeting. The monarch passed away at her Scottish Highlands estate, Balmoral.
Queen Elizabeth II, a direct descendent of Queen Victoria, was born in 1926 and became queen after the death of her father King George VI in 1952. The queen wed Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947 and had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. Philip died in April 2021 after retiring from royal duties in 2017. Queen Elizabeth II is the second-longest reigning monarch in world history.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the official Buckingham Palace Twitter page wrote.
The queen died at age 96 after some months of health complications. Her eldest son, Prince Charles of Wales, is now king, with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, next in line for the throne.
The queen died after being placed under medical supervision and a rescheduled Privy Council meeting. The monarch passed away at her Scottish Highlands estate, Balmoral.
Queen Elizabeth II, a direct descendent of Queen Victoria, was born in 1926 and became queen after the death of her father King George VI in 1952. The queen wed Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in 1947 and had four children: Charles, Anne, Andrew and Edward. Philip died in April 2021 after retiring from royal duties in 2017. Queen Elizabeth II is the second-longest reigning monarch in world history.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon,” the official Buckingham Palace Twitter page wrote.
- 9/8/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Click here to read the full article.
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch in history and one of the world’s most recognizable — and most portrayed — figures in modern times, died Thursday. She was 96.
After 70 years of rule, Elizabeth died peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she had spent the summer, the Royal Family announced.
She will be succeeded by her firstborn son, Charles. “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” the new king said in a statement.
A statement from His Majesty The King: pic.twitter.com/AnBiyZCher
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
With her official title — Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of her other realms and territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith — she was,...
Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning British monarch in history and one of the world’s most recognizable — and most portrayed — figures in modern times, died Thursday. She was 96.
After 70 years of rule, Elizabeth died peacefully at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, where she had spent the summer, the Royal Family announced.
She will be succeeded by her firstborn son, Charles. “The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family,” the new king said in a statement.
A statement from His Majesty The King: pic.twitter.com/AnBiyZCher
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 8, 2022
With her official title — Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of her other realms and territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith — she was,...
- 9/8/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Prince Harry has just the thing for his grandmother Queen Elizabeth. Attending a reception following a church service on Friday at London's historic St. Paul's Cathedral, Harry was asked what he would give his granny for her official 90th birthday celebrations this weekend. • Want to keep up with the latest royals coverage? Click here to subscribe to the Royals Newsletter.Speaking with Grenada High Commissioner Karl Hood, "[Harry] said the best birthday present would be to have a day off, so she could lie about and do nothing," Hood told reporters. Acting High Commissioner for Dominica Janet Charles revealed that Harry...
- 6/10/2016
- by Simon Perry, @SPerryPeoplemag
- PEOPLE.com
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