Miriam Margolyes, born on 18 May 1941 in Oxford, England, is a British-Australian actress, comedian, and writer whose distinctive voice and formidable presence have made her one of the most beloved and recognizable character actors of her generation. The daughter of a Scottish-Jewish mother and a Polish-Jewish father, Margolyes developed an early love for performance, studying at Newnham College, Cambridge, where she was a contemporary of Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson, and where she honed her craft with the university's famous Footlights troupe. Her professional career began in the theatre, but she transitioned to screen acting with a small role in the 1969 British comedy A Nice Girl Like Me, setting the stage for a prolific and eclectic career that would span more than five decades.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Margolyes established herself as a versatile character actress, delivering memorable performances in a wide array of films. She appeared in Yentl opposite Barbra Streisand, brought her signature comic energy to Little Shop of Horrors, and earned critical acclaim for her role in Little Dorrit. Her career reached a major milestone in 1993 when she won the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of the formidable Mrs. Mingott in Martin Scorsese's period drama The Age of Innocence, a performance that showcased her ability to command the screen with equal parts wit and gravitas. She continued to work steadily in films such as Immortal Beloved, Romeo + Juliet, Magnolia, and Being Julia, while also lending her unmistakable voice to animated features including Babe, James and the Giant Peach, Mulan, and Happy Feet. In 2001, she achieved international fame when she was cast as Professor Pomona Sprout in the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, a role she would reprise across the blockbuster franchise, cementing her status as a household name.

Her television career has been equally distinguished, with appearances in beloved series such as Blackadder and acclaimed television films including Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story, Stalin, and The Life and Death of Peter Sellers. In the 2010s, she found a new generation of fans with her recurring role as the sharp-tongued Prudence Stanley in the Australian drama Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and later as Sister Mildred in the BBC hit Call the Midwife. She also made a memorable appearance in the 60th anniversary specials of Doctor Who in 2023. On stage, Margolyes has been equally prolific, touring her acclaimed one-woman show Dickens' Women for over two decades, earning an Olivier Award nomination, and originating the role of Madame Morrible in both the West End and Broadway productions of Wicked. In 2025, she starred in the short film A Friend of Dorothy, which earned a nomination for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards.

Beyond her acting, Margolyes has become a cultural icon in her own right, known for her outspoken personality, sharp wit, and candid commentary on everything from politics to sexuality. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2002 New Year Honours for services to drama, and has also become a dual citizen of Australia, where she has lived for many years. She has fronted several travelogue series and authored three bestselling memoirs, This Much Is True (2021), Oh Miriam! (2023), and The Little Book of Miriam (2025), each filled with the same unflinching honesty and irreverent humor that define her public persona. As she continues to work across film, television, and stage, Margolyes remains a singular and enduring force in entertainment, celebrated for her fearless performances and her refusal to be anything other than herself.