Helena Bonham Carter is commonly regarded as one of the British most successful actresses, mainly known for her outright strange characters. Since her breakthrough in 1985, the 57-year-old star has won the hearts of millions with her versatility and remarkable performances on the big screen. With a career spanning over three decades, and various awards and nominations she has received, Bonham Carter has left a mark in the film industry that’s sure to last for generations to come. For more about Bonham Carter, here are the most interesting facts about the award-winning actress.
Helena Bonham Carter: Tales behind her acting success
A daughter of a merchant banker and a psychotherapist
Helena Bonham Carter is the daughter of Raymond Bonham-Carter, a merchant banker, and Elena Bonham-Carter, a psychotherapist.
Bonham Carter has two older brothers
The legendary actress has two older brothers; Edward and Thomas Bonham Carter. They grew up in the neighbourhood of Golders Green.
She wasn't admitted to King's College, Cambridge
After her time at South Hampstead High School and A-levels at Westminster School, the actress applied to King's College, Cambridge, but her application was rejected.
Her acting career began at 16
At just 16, Bonham Carter began her professional acting career with a television commercial. She also had a minor role in the 1983 TV film A Pattern of Roses.
She had no formal acting training
Despite no formal acting training, Bonham Carter kicked off her career by winning a national writing contest in 1979. She used the prize money to join the actors' Spotlight directory.
Her first screen role was as Netty Bellinger in “A Pattern of Roses”
In her early career, Helena Bonham Carter took on her first screen role as Netty Bellinger, a character in the television film A Pattern of Roses in 1983.
She's a distant cousin of Kate Middleton
Helena Bonham Carter is a distant cousin to the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton through a great-great-great-grandfather.
Bonham Carter was engaged to the director, Tim Burton
The British actress was engaged to the American director, Tim Burton, whom she met while filming Planet of the Apes. The couple had two children together, Billy Raymond and Nell, before breaking up in 2014.
Bonham Carter has starred in seven of Burton’s films
The British icon, Bonham Carter has starred in seven of Burton’s films including Alice in Wonderland and Planet of the Apes.
She launched her own fashion line, "The Pantaloonies"
Helena Bonham Carter and swimwear designer Samantha Sage teamed up in May 2006 to launch "The Pantaloonies," her own fashion line. Their first fashion collection, named Bloomin' Bloomers, features a Victorian-inspired assortment of camisoles, mob caps, and bloomers.
She is known for her eccentric sense of fashion
Known for her eccentric and unique fashion sense, Bonham Carter's dark style in clothing and acting has been described as 'quirky and irreverent.'
She speaks fluent French
With a mother who had both French and Spanish heritage, Bonham Carter is proficient in the French language, which enabled her to successfully star in a French film.
She served as a member of the Cannes Film Festival Jury in 2006
She was a member of the 2006 Cannes Film Festival jury that unanimously selected The Wind That Shakes the Barley as the best film.
Bonham Carter had a love affair with the actor Kenneth Branagh
Bonham Carter and Kenneth Branagh met in 1994 during the filming of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. Although Branagh was married to Emma Thompson, they embarked on an affair that continued for five years until their separation in 1999.
She has been in a relationship with art historian Rye Dag Holmboe
Since 2018, Helena Bonham Carter has been dating art historian Rye Dag Holmboe, who is 21 years her junior.
She received the BAFTA for Best Actress in 2011
For her remarkable portrayal of Queen Elizabeth in The King's Speech, Helena Bonham Carter was awarded the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress in 2011.
Bonham Carter is a patron of the charity Action Duchenne
The successful British actress lends her support as a patron to Action Duchenne, an organization that assists both parents and individuals affected by Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
She won the 2000 Empire Award for Best British Actress
She was honoured with the 2000 Empire Award for Best British Actress for her portrayal of Marla Singer in the 1999 film Fight Club.
Bonham Carter is a voice actor
Helena Bonham Carter has lent her voice to memorable characters including Lady Campanula Tottington in Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, and All-Maudra Mayrin in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.