Editing Lesley-Anne Down

{{Short description|British actress (born 1954)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2011}}
{{distinguish|Lesley Ann Downey}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Lesley-Anne Down
| image              = Lesley-Anne Down.jpg
| caption            = Down in 2008
| birth_name         = 
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1954|3|17}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/leslie_anne_down|title=Lesley-Anne Down - Rotten Tomatoes|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref>
| birth_place        = [[Wandsworth]], [[London]], England
| spouse             = {{plainlist|
* {{marriage|Enrique Gabriel|1980|1981|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[William Friedkin]]|1982|1985|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[Don E. FauntLeRoy]]<br>|1986}}
}}
| partner            = [[Bruce Robinson]] (1969–1979)
| children           = 2
| yearsactive        = 1968–present
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actress|singer|model}}
| website            = 
}}
'''Lesley-Anne Down''' (born 17 March 1954) is a British actress and singer. She made her motion picture debut in the 1969 drama film ''[[The Smashing Bird I Used to Know]]'' and later appeared in films ''[[Assault (film)|Assault]]'' (1971), ''[[Countess Dracula]]'' (1971) and ''[[Pope Joan (1972 film)|Pope Joan]]'' (1972). She achieved fame as [[Georgina Worsley]] in the [[ITV Network|ITV]] period drama series, ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]'' (1973–75).

Down received further recognition for her performances in the films ''[[The Pink Panther Strikes Again]]'' (1976), ''[[A Little Night Music (film)|A Little Night Music]]'' (1977), ''[[The First Great Train Robbery]]'' (1978), ''[[Hanover Street (film)|Hanover Street]]'' (1979), ''[[Rough Cut (1980 film)|Rough Cut]]'' (1980),  ''[[Sphinx (film)|Sphinx]]'' (1981) and ''[[Nomads (1986 film)|Nomads]]'' (1986). On television, she played the leading roles in ''[[The One and Only Phyllis Dixey]]'' (1978), ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982 film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'' (1982), ''[[Murder_Is_Easy#1982|Murder Is Easy]]'' (1982), and most notably starred as Madeline Fabray in one of the highest rated miniseries in TV history ''[[North and South (miniseries)|North and South]]'' (1985–86), for which she was nominated for a [[Golden Globe Award]] in 1986.

In 1990, Down played the role [[Stephanie Rogers (Dallas)|Stephanie Rogers]] in the [[CBS]] drama series ''[[Dallas (TV series)|Dallas]]''. During 1997–99, she played [[Olivia Richards]] in the [[NBC]] soap opera ''[[Sunset Beach (TV series)|Sunset Beach]]''. From April 2003 to February 2012, she portrayed [[Jackie Marone]] in the CBS soap opera ''[[The Bold and the Beautiful]]''.<ref name=CBSBio>{{cite web | url=http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_bold_and_the_beautiful/bio/lesley-anne_down/bio.php | access-date=13 May 2009 | publisher=CBS | title=Lesley-Anne Down as Jackie Payne Marone | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207092330/http://www.cbs.com/daytime/the_bold_and_the_beautiful/bio/lesley-anne_down/bio.php | archive-date=7 February 2009}}</ref>

==Life and career==
===Early life===
Down was born on 17 March 1954 and brought up in Wandsworth, London, England.<ref name=Ind30Nov1998 /> She began acting and modelling, and in her teenage years won several [[Beauty contest|beauty pageants]]. She was voted Britain's most beautiful teenager at the age of 15.<ref name=CBSBio /><ref name=Ind30Nov1998>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/interview-lifes-a-sunset-beach-1188218.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220614/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/interview-lifes-a-sunset-beach-1188218.html |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | work=[[The Independent]] | access-date=13 May 2009 | date=30 November 1998 | title=Interview: Life's a Sunset Beach | first=Deborah | last=Ross | location=London}}</ref> Down left school at 15 and came to America for the first time at 17.<ref name=soapoperadigest>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/actors/lesley-anne-down/|title=Lesley-Anne Down Archives}}</ref>  In 1969, she made her feature film debut in a supporting role in the British drama sexploitation film ''[[The Smashing Bird I Used to Know]]''.<ref name=soapoperadigest/> 
[[File:Lesley-Anne Down Upstairs, Downstairs.jpeg|left|thumb|Down in ''Upstairs, Downstairs'']]

===1970s===
In 1971, Down guest-starred in the British television series ''[[Six Dates with Barker]]'', ''[[Out of the Unknown]]'', and  ''[[Public Eye (TV series)|Public Eye]]''. Also that year, she starred in three movies: first was ''[[Countess Dracula]]'', a horror film based on some of the legends surrounding the Countess [[Elizabeth Báthory]] playing the role of Elisabeth's daughter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.inverteddungeon.com/|title=ICVD: Creatures of the Night, Exchanging Glances|first=Darkmoon|last=darkmoonfirelyte@hotmail.com|website=Castlevania: The Inverted Dungeon}}</ref> She starred in the thriller film ''[[Assault (film)|Assault]]'' playing the role of schoolgirl who was raped on her way home from school. She also had a supporting role in the [[20th Century Studios|20th Century Fox]]'s drama film ''[[All the Right Noises]]''. In 1972, Down starred in the historical drama film ''[[Pope Joan (1972 film)|Pope Joan]]'' opposite [[Liv Ullmann]] and [[Olivia de Havilland]]. In 1973, she appeared in the Western film ''[[Scalawag (film)|Scalawag]]'' starring and directed by [[Kirk Douglas]].
[[File:Scalawag 1973 cast.jpeg|thumb|Down with Kirk Douglas and Mark Lester in ''Scalawag'' (1973)]]
In 1973, Down was cast as [[Georgina Worsley]] in the [[Emmy Award]]-winning British period drama series, ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]''. She made her debut in the episode "[[Goodwill to All Men]]" in December 1973. In 1974, she appeared in the  anthology horror film ''[[From Beyond the Grave]]'' and the following year had supporting role in the action thriller ''[[Brannigan (film)|Brannigan]]''. Her television appearances includes ''[[Bedtime Stories (1974 TV series)|Bedtime Stories]]'', ''[[The Sweeney]]'' and ''[[When the Boat Comes In]]''. Her fame led to a nude photoshoot for the magazine ''Mayfair'' in 1975.<ref>{{cite web |title=Upstairs, Downstairs - Out of Costume |url=https://www.updown.org.uk/outofcos/oocafte2.htm |access-date=24 January 2022}}</ref> ''Upstairs, Downstairs'' was her career breakthrough; after the show ended in 1975, she moved to Hollywood and began her film career.

In 1976, Down starred in the comedy film ''[[The Pink Panther Strikes Again]]'' opposite [[Peter Sellers]]. The film was released by United Artists, received positive reviews from critics and grossed $75 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pink_panther_strikes_again|title=The Pink Panther Strikes Again - Rotten Tomatoes|date=17 December 1976|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref> The following year she starred in the musical comedy film ''[[A Little Night Music (film)|A Little Night Music]]'' starring opposite [[Elizabeth Taylor]] in the adaptation of [[Stephen Sondheim]]'s [[A Little Night Music|1973 musical of the same name]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lesleyannedown.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=33|title=Lesley-Anne Down official website – Biography|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807051438/http://www.lesleyannedown.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=33|archive-date=7 August 2009}}</ref> The film received mostly negative reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/little_night_music|title=A Little Night Music - Rotten Tomatoes|date=5 June 2007|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/03/08/archives/film-a-little-night-musicbergmaninspired.html|title=Film: 'A Little Night Music':Bergman-Inspired|first=Vincent|last=Canby|date=8 March 1978|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> In 1978, Down played the leading role of burlesque artist [[Phyllis Dixey]] in the BAFTA Award-nominated made-for-television drama film, ''[[The One and Only Phyllis Dixey]]''.<ref>Potter, Jeremy. ''Independent Television in Britain: Volume 4: Companies and Programmes, 1968–80''. Palgrave Macmillan, 1990.</ref> She appeared in the romantic drama film ''[[The Betsy]]'' and played the female lead opposite [[Sean Connery]] in the heist comedy film ''[[The First Great Train Robbery]]''. The latter received positive reviews from critics and Downs' performance was noted by [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_great_train_robbery_1979|title=The Great Train Robbery - Rotten Tomatoes|date=16 September 2008|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-great-train-robbery-1979|title=The Great Train Robbery movie review (1979) &#124; Roger Ebert|first=Roger|last=Ebert|website=www.rogerebert.com/}}</ref> [[Vincent Canby]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote: "Mr. Sutherland, as the none-too-bright locksmith, and Miss Down, who must appear in several figuratively transparent disguises, have fun with what are, in effect, character roles. The three work together beautifully."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/02/02/archives/screen-train-robbery-steams-in-on-new-run25000-caper.html|title=Screen: 'Train Robbery' Steams In on New Run:25,000 Caper|first=Vincent|last=Canby|date=2 February 1979|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> In 1979, Down starred opposite [[Harrison Ford]] in the romantic war drama film ''[[Hanover Street (film)|Hanover Street]]'', it received mixed-to-positive reviews and was considered a box-office failure.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hanover_street|title=Hanover Street - Rotten Tomatoes|date=1 April 2010|website=www.rottentomatoes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/05/18/archives/film-hanover-street-a-love-storyromantic-mixed-nuts.html|title=Film: 'Hanover Street,' a Love Story:Romantic Mixed Nuts|first=Vincent|last=Canby|date=18 May 1979|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>THE BIG THUDS OF 1979--FILMS THAT FLOPPED, BADLY Epstein, Andrew. Los Angeles Times 27 Apr 1980: o6.</ref>

===1980s===
In 1980, she starred opposite [[Burt Reynolds]] in the crime comedy film ''[[Rough Cut (1980 film)|Rough Cut]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1980/06/19/archives/film-rough-cut-a-comedy-about-jewel-thieves-diamond-caper.html|title=Film: 'Rough Cut,' a Comedy About Jewel Thieves; Diamond Caper|first=Vincent|last=Canby|date=19 June 1980|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Gary Arnold of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote: "Lesley-Anne Down often looks as ravishing as Ava Gardner in her prime. The heady sensation created when her generous lips expand into a brilliant smile is an incidental pleasure well worth overindulging, but it would be even better if she had a role that permitted her more relaxation and confidence (and a costumer and hairdresser who consistently enhanced her beauty). The heroine's dialogue seems to have been contrived under the influence of vague recollections of Grace Kelly in "To Catch a Thief." The role affects an hauteur that doesn't become Lesley-Anne Down somehow. It also appears to tax her acting technique, which isn't nearly as sleek as Kelly's. I suspect that the very idea of presenting her as a bitchy-elegant society girl inhibits Down rather more than it flatters her. There are moments when she seems to stiffen up as severely as Kim Novak at her least secure."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Arnold |first=Gary |date=1980-06-20 |title=The Caper & |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1980/06/20/the-caper-38/6d86d22a-a56b-492b-ab8f-84c1ddf4b088/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In 1981, Down went to star in the adventure film ''[[Sphinx (film)|Sphinx]]'' directed by [[Franklin J. Schaffner]] and based on the 1979 [[Sphinx (novel)|novel of the same name]] by [[Robin Cook (American novelist)|Robin Cook]]. Down played Egyptologist researching a paper about the chief architect to Pharaoh Seti in the movie. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics. Vincent Canby of ''The New York Times'' wrote: "The performers are terrible, none more so than Mr. Langella, who is supposed to be mysterious and romantic but behaves with all of the charm of a room clerk at the Nile Hilton. Miss Down spends a good deal of her time going, ''Eeeeeeek!'' and is frequently hysterical - Egyptian room service being especially maddening. At her best, she reminds one of Jacqueline Bisset, but unlike Miss Bisset, who has survived many movies like this with her identity intact, Miss Down seems to dissolve as the film lurches on. By the end, I was sure she was Jacqueline Bisset."<ref>{{cite news|last=Canby |first=Vincent |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/11/movies/schaffner-s-sphinx.html?&pagewanted=all |title=Schaffner'S 'Sphinx' |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=1981-02-11 |access-date=2013-11-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/1980/film/reviews/sphinx-2-1200424873/ |title=Sphinx |publisher=Variety |date=1980-12-31 |access-date=2013-11-09}}</ref>  
[[File:Lesley Anne Down Allan Warrren.jpg|thumb|Down in 1979]]
After ''Sphinx'', Down returned to television playing British socialite [[Unity Mitford]] in an episode of anthology series ''[[BBC2 Playhouse]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Unity |work=Radio Times |date=14 March 1981 |issue=2992 |url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/38846a642f71450f8ab28525583289f8}}</ref> The following year she starred in [[Agatha Christie]]' ''[[Murder Is Easy]]'' and played the role of [[Esméralda (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame)|Esméralda]] in an American production of ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982 film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]'' opposite [[Anthony Hopkins]]. In 1984, Down again starred with Anthony Hopkins, this time in the romantic war drama ''[[Arch of Triumph (1984 film)|Arch of Triumph]]'' based on the novel ''[[Arch of Triumph (novel)|Arch of Triumph]]'' by [[Erich Maria Remarque]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/29/arts/arch-of-triumph-paris-on-eve-of-world-war-ii.html|title='ARCH OF TRIUMPH,' PARIS ON EVE OF WORLD WAR II|first=John J.|last=O'Connor|date=29 May 1985|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> Later that year, she appeared in the ABC miniseries, ''[[The Last Days of Pompeii (miniseries)|The Last Days of Pompeii]]''. She also appeared onstage in ''Hamlet'' and a musical version of ''[[Great Expectations (musical)|Great Expectations]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-bold-and-the-beautiful/actors/lesleyanne-down/|title=Lesley-Anne Down|date=8 June 2015}}</ref>

In 1985, Down starred as Madeline Fabray LaMotte in the ABC miniseries, ''[[North and South (miniseries)|North and South]]'' based on the 1980s [[trilogy]] of novels ''[[North and South (trilogy)|North and South]]'' by [[John Jakes]]. The following year the sequel miniseries was released. The 1985 first installment, ''North and South'', remains the seventh-highest rated miniseries in TV history.<ref name="TS 2007-08">{{cite news| url=http://www.tribstar.com/news/lifestyles/john-jakes-journey-to-new-york-times-bestseller-list-included/article_8a3877e1-8e78-593d-9de8-b878d396254a.html| title=John Jakes' journey to ''New York Times'' bestseller list included boyhood years in Terre Haute| last=Bennett| first=Mark| date=August 11, 2007| newspaper=[[Tribune-Star]]| location=Terre Haute, Ind| access-date=2021-10-25}}</ref><ref name="P&C 2002">{{cite web| url=http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=11968| title=John Jakes '53 Discusses Writing and His Upcoming Book| date=March 18, 2002| website=[[DePauw University]]| access-date=2021-10-25| archive-date=2011-06-10| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610222337/http://www.depauw.edu/news/index.asp?id=11968| url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="JJCC">{{cite book| last=Jones| first=Mary Ellen| title=John Jakes: A Critical Companion| publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]]| date=November 30, 1996| page=3| chapter=The People's Author: The Life of John Jakes| isbn=978-0-3132-9530-0| chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2pzmvCXfuoAC&q=highest+rated+miniseries+jakes&pg=PA3| access-date=January 7, 2010}}</ref> For her performance she received positive reviews and was nominated for a [[Golden Globe Award]] for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Supporting Actress – Television]] in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/person/lesley-anne-down|title=Lesley-Anne Down|website=Golden Globes}}</ref> During the filming of the miniseries, Down's divorce from film director [[William Friedkin]] received wide press coverage. Allegations of adultery, drug use and violence accompanied Down and Friedkin's acrimonious battle for full custody of their son in the divorce proceedings.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/archive/director-billy-friedkin-and-lesley-anne-down-make-a-home-movie-divorce-hollywood-style-vol-23-no-10/|title=Director Billy Friedkin and Lesley-Anne Down Make a Home Movie-Divorce Hollywood Style|website=Peoplemag}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/07/09/DIVORCE-THE-HARD-WAY/9628089557010/|title=DIVORCE THE HARD WAY - UPI Archives|website=UPI}}</ref> In 1986, she returned to big screen starring alongside [[Pierce Brosnan]] in the horror film ''[[Nomads (1986 film)|Nomads]]'' written and directed by [[John McTiernan]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1984/film/reviews/nomads-1200426513/|title=Nomads|author=Variety Staff|date=1 January 1985}}</ref> In 1988 she starred in the made-for-television remake of the 1958 romantic comedy ''[[Indiscreet (1958 film)|Indiscreet]]''. The ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' said: "The vapidity of both [lead] performances is magnified by come-hither camera shots that linger too long on their empty faces... Down has a little more flounce to the ounce, but the best she can do as a woman deceived is to fly into a deep snit. Production values evoke the silky-bland noblesse oblige that has been canonized for TV by "[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]" and "[[Knots Landing]]"."<ref>Television Reviews Sans Ingrid and Cary, 'Indiscreet' Is Inept: [Home Edition] Christon, Lawrence. Los Angeles Times (24 October 1988: 8.</ref> Also that year, Down starred alongside [[Marilu Henner]] and [[Susan Blakely]] in the crime television film ''[[Ladykillers (film)|Ladykillers]]'' and later appeared in ''Night Walk'' (1989).

===1990s===
In 1990, Down was cast as a series regular for a limited run in the CBS primetime soap opera ''[[Dallas (TV series)|Dallas]]'' as [[Stephanie Rogers (Dallas)|Stephanie Rogers]]. She earned a quarter of a million dollars' salary for a 10-week shoot.<ref name=Ind30Nov1998 /> She starred in the unsuccessful television comedy pilot ''[[1775 (TV pilot)|1775]]'' (1992) set in colonial Philadelphia during the run-up to the American Revolution.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1992/tv/reviews/1775-1200430664/|title=1775|first=Christopher|last=Meeks|date=9 September 1992}}</ref> She guest-starred on the CBS series ''[[The Nanny]]'' and ''[[Diagnosis: Murder]]''. She returned to cinema starring in the thriller film ''[[Over the Line (1993 film)|Over the Line]]''. Down later starred in the smaller-scale films ''[[Night Trap (film)|Night Trap]]'' (1993), ''[[Munchie Strikes Back]]'' (1994) ''[[In the Heat of Passion |In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful]]'' (1994), and ''[[The Secret Agent Club]]'' (1996). In 1994 she returned to her role as Madeline Fabray LaMotte in the ABC miniseries, ''[[North and South (TV miniseries)|Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1994/02/27/civil-war-saga-ends-in-heaven-and-hell/|title=CIVIL WAR SAGA ENDS IN 'HEAVEN AND HELL'|date=27 February 1994}}</ref> 
The final part received mostly mixed-to-negative reception, but her appearance was noted by ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1994/tv/reviews/john-jakes-heaven-and-hell-north-and-south-part-3-1200435663/|title=John Jakes' Heaven and Hell: North and South Part 3|first=Patricia|last=O'Connell|date=25 February 1994}}</ref> Also in 1994, Down starred opposite [[Charles Bronson]] in the action thriller film ''[[Death Wish V: The Face of Death]]'', the fifth and final installment in the [[Death Wish (film series)|''Death Wish'' film series]]. ''Death Wish V'' was universally panned and holds a rare [[List of films with a 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes|0% rating]] on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on reviews from 5 critics.<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes|death_wish_v_the_face_of_death}}</ref> The following year she appeared in his made-for-television movie ''[[Family of Cops]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/1995/tv/reviews/a-family-of-cops-1200443725/|title=A Family of Cops|first=Adam|last=Sandler|date=22 November 1995}}</ref> In 1996, she appeared in the sword and sorcery television film ''[[Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus]]'', a sequel to the 1982 film ''[[The Beastmaster]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/beastmaster-iii-the-eye-of-braxus-vm1091348|title=Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus (1996) - Gabrielle Beaumont &#124; Synopsis, Characteristics, Moods, Themes and Related &#124; AllMovie|via=www.allmovie.com}}</ref>

In 1996, [[Aaron Spelling]] cast her as [[Olivia Richards]] on his new daytime soap opera, ''[[Sunset Beach (TV series)|Sunset Beach]]''. Her character was the mix of [[Sue Ellen Ewing]] and [[Alexis Colby]] of the 1980s prime time soaps.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Interview:+Lesley-Anne+Down+-+I'm+such+a+cheapskate;+I+use+washing+up...-a060220848|title=Interview: Lesley-Anne Down - I'm such a cheapskate; I use washing up liquid on my hair; FORGET THE GLITZY PARTIES - LESLEY-ANNE DOWN TELLS SHARON FEINSTEIN SHE WOULD RATHER BE AT HOME. - Free Online Library|website=www.thefreelibrary.com}}</ref> [[Ken Tucker]] of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote: "Chief among the large cast is Lesley-Anne Down, irresistible as a hooked-on-vodka matron who may or may not have murdered her lover."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,286768,00.html|title=Sunset Beach &#124; TV Review|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |date=21 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421171221/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,286768,00.html |archive-date=21 April 2009 }}</ref> In 1997, for her portrayal of Olivia, Down won the award for "Best Actress" at the Soap Opera Update Awards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lesley-Anne Down, 'Days' win top soap awards|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB05068E3CFA0B1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|work=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|publisher=([[Lee Enterprises]])|access-date=12 October 2011|date=9 September 1997}}</ref> The series aired on NBC from January 1997 to December 1999. During the series, Down also appeared in the [[Rodney Dangerfield]]'s comedy film  ''[[Meet Wally Sparks]]'' (1997), and starred in the ''Young Hearts Unlimited'' (1998), a made-for-television family comedy film directed by third husband, [[Don E. FauntLeRoy]].<ref name=www.soapcentral.com>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/down_lesleyanne.php|title=About the Actors &#124; Lesley-Anne Down &#124; The Bold and the Beautiful on Soap Central|website=soapcentral.com}}</ref>

===2000s—present===
After the cancellation of ''Sunset Beach'', Down appeared in films ''The King's Guard'' (2000), ''The Meeksville Ghost'' (2001) and ''[[13th Child]]'' (2002). She starred in two Lifetime movies: ''The Perfect Wife'' (2001) and ''You Belong to Me'' (2002) based on [[Mary Higgins Clark]]'s novel.<ref name=southcoasttoday>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/entertainment/local/2002/02/24/actress-lesley-anne-down-s/50368153007/|title=Actress Lesley-Anne Down's career's definitely on the up and up|first=LUAINE LEE, Scripps Howard News|last=Service|website=New Bedford Standard-Times}}</ref> In 2001, she guest-starred as Lady Sheraton in the NBC soap opera ''[[Days of Our Lives]]'' appearing in five episodes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2001/0205-coronation.php|title=Daytime royalty to attend Greta's coronation|website=soapcentral.com|date=4 February 2001 }}</ref> She had cameo appearances in Don E. FauntLeRoy-directed action films ''[[Today You Die]]'' (2005) and ''[[Mercenary for Justice]]'' (2006), both starred [[Steven Seagal]]. Down wrote screenplay and starred in the 2006 comedy-drama film ''[[Seven Days of Grace]]''. Filming began on March 17, 1996, 10 years before the eventual 2006 release of the film.<ref name="Seven Days of Grace IMDB film locations">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0136517/locations |title=Filming & Production |work=IMDB |accessdate= July 20, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Seven Days of Grace Rotten Tomatoes listing">{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/seven_days_of_grace |title=Seven Days of Grace |work=Rotten Tomatoes |accessdate= July 20, 2019}}</ref> The film was finally released to theaters on April 1, 2006. In 2003, Down was cast in another soap playing the role of [[Jackie Marone]] on ''[[The Bold and the Beautiful]]'' on CBS. She first appeared on April 1, 2003. In January 2012, Down confirmed that she would be departing the programme.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soapoperadigest.com/content/bbs-down-contract|title=B&B's Down Off Contract|work=Soap Opera Digest|access-date=25 March 2016|date=26 January 2012}}</ref> Her final appearance was on February 29, 2012.

In 2011, Down appeared in the thriller film ''[[Rosewood Lane (film)|Rosewood Lane]]'' directed by [[Victor Salva]] with [[Rose McGowan]], [[Ray Wise]], and [[Lauren Vélez]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/24433|title=First Images, Cast for 'Jeepers Creepers' Director's 'Rosewood Lane' – Bloody Disgusting!|work=Bloody Disgusting!|date=5 May 2011 |access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref> She later starred in the horror film ''[[Dark House (2014 film)|Dark House]]'' (2014), also directed by Victor Salva. She starred alongside [[Kirsten Vangsness]] in the period black-and-white comedy film ''[[Kill Me, Deadly]]'' playing dotty millionairess  Lady Clairmont.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/kill-me-deadly-trailer-criminal-minds-joe-montegna-1201701605/|title='Kill Me, Deadly' Trailer: 'Criminal Minds' Crew's Noir Spoof Movie – Deadline|author=Patrick Hipes|work=Deadline|access-date=25 March 2016|date=13 February 2016}}</ref> The film was released in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/kill-me-deadly-film-review-880848/|title='Kill Me, Deadly': Film Review|first=Frank|last=Scheck|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=5 April 2016}}</ref> Also in 2015, Down appeared in another Steven Seagal action thriller, ''[[Absolution (2015 film)|Absolution]]''. The following year she appeared in the Lifetime movie ''I Am Watching You'' and played  [[Jamie-Lynn Sigler]]' character mother in the Western film ''Justice''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/justice-nathan-parsons-jackson-rathbone-lesley-anne-down-rory-cochrane-most-hated-woman-in-america-1201725605/|title='Justice' Rounds Out Cast; Rory Cochrane Joins 'The Most Hated Woman in America' - Deadline|author=Erik Pedersen|work=Deadline|access-date=25 March 2016|date=24 March 2016}}</ref> She co-starred in the Hallmark Holiday film ''A Cinderella Christmas'' in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soapsindepth.com/posts/cbs/b-b-the-bold-the-beautiful-lesley-anne-down-movie-a-cinderella-christmas-120163|title=THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL's Lesley-Anne Down Previews Her Romantic New Movie!|first=Chris|last=Eades|date=1 December 2016}}</ref> She appeared in the romantic comedy film ''[[Alex & the List]]'' in 2018 and the horror film ''[[Gates of Darkness]]'' in 2019; she co-wrote the script for the latter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaljournal.com/entertainment/lesley-anne-down-talks-about-gates-of-darkness-and-success/article/588127|title=Lesley-Anne Down talks about 'Gates of Darkness,' and success (Includes interview)|first=Markos|last=Papadatos|date=8 April 2021|website=Digital Journal}}</ref>

In 2020, Down moved to [[Atlanta]], bought a ranch-styled house and announced that she had retired from acting.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/catching-up-with-lesley-anne-down/|title=Catching Up With Lesley-Anne Down (ex-Olivia, SUNSET BEACH et al)|date=10 January 2022}}</ref> Despite this, Down returned to work playing British Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] in the 2024 biographical film ''[[Reagan (2024 film)|Reagan]]'' starring [[Dennis Quaid]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/voltage-pictures-reagan-finds-its-margaret-thatcher-exclusive/5154845.article|title=Voltage Pictures' 'Reagan' finds its Margaret Thatcher (exclusive)|first=Jeremy|last=Kay|date=11 November 2020|website=Screen}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Lesley-Anne Down & Bruce Robinson.jpg|thumb|right|Lesley-Anne Down and Bruce Robinson (1979)]]
After ending a 10-year relationship with actor-writer [[Bruce Robinson]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tutorgig.com/ed/Lesley_Ann_Down|title=tutorgig.com|access-date=25 March 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120918090502/http://www.tutorgig.com/ed/Lesley_Ann_Down|archive-date=18 September 2012}}</ref> Down married Enrique Gabriel in 1980, but ended their marriage after a year and a half. Her second marriage was to film director [[William Friedkin]] from 1982 to 1985, with whom she had one son.<ref name=Ind30Nov1998 />

She met her third husband, [[cinematographer]] [[Don E. FauntLeRoy]], during filming of the television miniseries ''North and South'' in 1985. Their relationship ended Down's marriage to Friedkin and Fauntleroy's marriage to Susan Ducat.<ref name=People28Feb1994 /> The resulting legal and custody proceedings interrupted the careers of both Down and Fauntleroy for two years and ultimately cost Down and Friedkin {{USD 
 |1 million}} each.<ref name=Ind30Nov1998 /><ref name=People28Feb1994 /> Down and Fauntleroy have a son.<ref name=People28Feb1994>{{cite news | url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20107588,00.html | work=[[People (magazine)|People]] | access-date=13 May 2009 | title=The Spoils of War | date=28 February 1994 | first=Tim | last=Allis }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lesleyannedown.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=33|title=Biography at Lesley-Anne Down|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090807051438/http://www.lesleyannedown.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=33|archive-date=7 August 2009}}</ref>

Down has spoken on several occasions about dealing with sexual predators in the film industry. In 2002, she spoke of finding fame in the late 1960s: "The [[casting couch]] was in full swing, people expected it... My teenage years were pretty intense, a lot of pressure and a lot of horrible old men out there".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20020224/NEWS/302249929&cid=sitesearch |title=Actress Lesley-Anne Down's career's definitely on the up and up |publisher=South Coast Today |date=2002-02-24 |access-date=2014-09-25}}</ref> In a 1977 interview, she had also said: "I was promised lots of lovely big film parts by American producers if I went to bed with them. Believe me, the casting couch is no myth".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20067562,00.html |title=Chatter |work=People Magazine |date=1977-03-21 |access-date=2014-09-25}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1969
| ''[[The Smashing Bird I Used to Know]]''
| Diana
|
|-
| 1970
|''[[Vicente Escrivá|Sin Un Adios]]''
| Marta Greidy
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1971
|''[[All the Right Noises]]''
| Laura
|
|-
| ''[[Assault (film)|Assault]]''
| Tessa Hurst
|
|-
| ''[[Countess Dracula]]''
| Ilona Nodosheen
|
|-
| 1972
| ''[[Pope Joan (1972 film)|Pope Joan]]''
| Cecilia
|
|-
| 1973
| ''[[Scalawag (film)|Scalawag]]''
| Lucy-Ann
|
|-
| 1974
| ''[[From Beyond the Grave]]''
| Rosemary Seaton
| segment "The Door"
|-
| 1975
| ''[[Brannigan (film)|Brannigan]]''
| Luana
|
|-
| 1976
| ''[[The Pink Panther Strikes Again]]''
| Olga Bariosova
|
|-
| 1977
| ''[[A Little Night Music]]''
| Anne Egerman
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1978
| ''[[The Betsy]]''
| Lady Bobby Ayres
|
|-
| ''[[The First Great Train Robbery]]''
| Miriam
|
|-
|  1979
| ''[[Hanover Street (film)|Hanover Street]]''
| Margaret Sellinger
|
|-
| 1980
| ''[[Rough Cut (1980 film)|Rough Cut]]''
| Gillian Bromley
|
|-
| 1981
| ''[[Sphinx (film)|Sphinx]]''
| Erica Baron
|
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Nomads (1986 film)|Nomads]]''
| Dr. Eileen Flax
|
|-
| 1987
| ''[[Scenes from the Goldmine]]''
| Herself
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1993
| ''[[Night Trap (film)|Night Trap]]''
| Christine Turner
|
|-
| ''[[Over the Line (1993 film)|Over the Line]]''
| Elaine Patterson
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1994
| ''[[Munchie Strikes Back]]''
| Linda McClelland
|
|-
| ''[[Death Wish V: The Face of Death]]''
| Olivia Regent
|
|-
| ''[[In the Heat of Passion|In the Heat of Passion II: Unfaithful]]''
| Jean Bradshaw
|
|-
| 1996
| ''[[The Secret Agent Club]]''
| Eve
|
|-
|  1997
| ''[[Meet Wally Sparks]]''
| Hooker Nurse
| cameo
|-
| 2000
| ''The King's Guard''
| Queen Beatrice
|
|-
| 2001
| ''The Meeksville Ghost''
| Emily Meeks
|
|-
| 2002
| ''[[13th Child]]''
| District Attorney Murphy
|
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Today You Die]]''
| Bank Manager
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2006
| ''[[Seven Days of Grace (2006 film)|Seven Days of Grace]]''
| Lillian
| Actress and writer
|-
| ''[[Mercenary for Justice]]''
| Newscaster
| Uncredited
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2011
| ''[[Cinnamon (2011 film)|Cinnamon]]''
| Aunt Dora
|
|-
| ''[[Rosewood Lane]]''
| Dr. Cloey Talbot
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Dark House (2014 film)|Dark House]]''
| Lilian Di Santo
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2015
| ''[[Kill Me, Deadly]]''
| Grand Dame Lady Clairmont
|
|-
| ''[[Absolution (2015 film)|Absolution]]''
| Svetlana
|
|-
| ''Of God and Kings''
| Madame Renard
|
|-
|2017
|''Justice''
| Elizabeth
|
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Alex & the List]]''
| Victoria
|
|-
| 2019
| ''[[Gates of Darkness]]''
| Sister Clare
|Actress and writer
|-
| 2024
| ''[[Reagan (2024 film)|Reagan]]''
| [[Margaret Thatcher]]
|
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| rowspan="3" |  1971
| ''[[Six Dates with Barker]]''
| Cheeky
| Episode: "2774 AD: All the World's a Stooge"
|-
| ''[[Out of the Unknown]]''
| Diana Carver
| Episode: "To Lay a Ghost"
|-
| ''[[Public Eye (TV series)|Public Eye]]''
| Anne Biddersloe
| Episode: "Shades of White"
|-
| 1973–1975
| ''[[Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series)|Upstairs, Downstairs]]''
| [[List of Upstairs, Downstairs (1971 TV series) characters#Georgina Worsley|Georgina Worsley]]
| 22 episodes
|-
| 1974
| ''[[Bedtime Stories (1974 TV series)|Bedtime Stories]]''
|  Monica
| Episode: "The Snow Queen"
|-
| 1975
| ''[[The Sweeney]]''
| Caroline Selhurst
| Episode: "Chalk and Cheese"
|-
| 1976
| ''[[When the Boat Comes In]]''
| Jane Cromer
| Episode: "King for a Day"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1977
| ''[[Play of the Month]]''
| Ellie Dunn
| Episode: "Heartbreak House"
|-
| ''[[Supernatural (1977 TV series)|Supernatural]]''
| Felizitas
| Episode: "Mr. Nightingale"
|-
| 1978
| ''[[The One and Only Phyllis Dixey]]''
| [[Phyllis Dixey]]
| Television film
|-
| 1981
| ''[[BBC2 Playhouse]]''
| [[Unity Mitford]]
| Episode: "Unity"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1982
| ''[[Murder Is Easy]]''
| Bridget Conway
| rowspan="2" | Television film
|-
| ''[[The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982 film)|The Hunchback of Notre Dame]]''
| [[Esméralda (The Hunchback of Notre-Dame)|Esmeralda]]
|-
| 1984
| ''[[The Last Days of Pompeii (miniseries)|The Last Days of Pompeii]]''
| Chloe
| Mini-series
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1985
| ''[[Arch of Triumph (1985 film)|Arch of Triumph]]''
| Joan Madou
| Television film
|-
| ''[[North and South (TV miniseries)|North and South]]''
| Madeline Fabray LaMotte
| Mini-series
|-
| 1986
| ''[[North and South (TV miniseries)|North and South, Book II]]''
| Madeline LaMotte Main
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1988
| ''Indiscreet''
| Anne Kingston
| rowspan="3" | Television film
|-
| ''[[Ladykillers (film)|Ladykillers]]''
| Morganna Ross
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1989
| ''Night Walk''
| Geneva Miller
|-
| ''[[CBS Summer Playhouse]]''
| Cassandra
| Episode: "Shivers"
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Dallas (TV series)|Dallas]]''
| [[Stephanie Rogers (Dallas)|Stephanie Rogers]]
| 13 episodes
|-
| 1992
| ''[[1775 (TV pilot)|1775]]''
| Annabelle Proctor
| TV pilot
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1994
| ''[[The Nanny]]''
| Chloe Simpson
| Episode: "[[Maggie the Model]]"
|-
| ''[[North and South (TV miniseries)|Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III]]''
| Madeline Main
| TV mini-series
|-
| 1995
| ''[[A Family of Cops]]''
| Anna Novacek
| rowspan="2" | Television film
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1996
| ''[[Beastmaster III: The Eye of Braxus]]''
| Morgana
|-
| ''[[Diagnosis: Murder]]''
| Catherine Windsor
| Episode: "A Model Murder"
|-
| 1997–1999
| ''[[Sunset Beach (TV series)|Sunset Beach]]''
| [[Olivia Richards]]
| Main cast
|-
| 1998
| ''Young Hearts Unlimited''
| Barbara Young
| Television film
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2001
| ''[[Days of Our Lives]]''
| Lady Sheraton
| 5 episodes
|-
| ''The Perfect Wife''
| Helen Coburn
| rowspan="2" | Television film
|-
| ''You Belong to Me''
| Dr. Susan Chancellor
|-
| 2003–2012
| ''[[The Bold and the Beautiful]]''
| [[Jackie Marone]]
| Main cast
|-
| rowspan="2" |2016
| ''I Am Watching You''
| Margaret
| rowspan="2" | Television film
|-
| ''A Cinderella Christmas''
| Victoria Carmichael
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="text-align:center;"
! Year
! Result
! Award
! Category
! Film or series
|-
| 1978
| {{Won}}
| [[Evening Standard British Film Awards]]
| Most Promising Newcomer – Actress
|
|-
| 1986
| {{Nominated}}
| [[Golden Globe Awards]]
|[[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film|Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film]]
|  ''[[North and South (TV miniseries)|North and South]]''
|-
| 1997
| {{Won}}
| [[Soap Opera Update Awards]]
| Best Actress
| ''[[Sunset Beach (TV series)|Sunset Beach]]''
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2005
| {{Won}}
| [[Rose d'Or|Rose D'Or Light Entertainment Festival]]
| Best Soap Female
| rowspan="3" | ''[[The Bold and the Beautiful]]''
|-
| {{Nominated}}
| [[Soap Opera Digest Awards]]
| Favorite Return
|-
| 2006
| {{Won}}
| TV Soap Golden Boomerang Award
| Popular Supporting Female
|-
| 2025
| {{Nominated}}
| [[Golden Raspberry Awards]]
| [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actress|Worst Supporting Actress]]
| ''[[Reagan (2024 film)|Reagan]]''
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*{{Official website|http://www.lesleyannedown.com}}
*{{IMDb name}}
*{{Tcmdb name}}
*{{TV Guide person|lesley-anne/161923}}

{{Evening Standard British Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Down, Lesley-Anne}}
[[Category:1954 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century English actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century English actresses]]
[[Category:Actors from the London Borough of Wandsworth]]
[[Category:English female models]]
[[Category:English women singers]]
[[Category:English film actresses]]
[[Category:English soap opera actresses]]
[[Category:English television actresses]]
[[Category:English emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Actresses from London]]
[[Category:Models from the London Borough of Wandsworth]]
[[Category:People from Wandsworth]]