Samantha Bond
Samantha Bond
Samantha Bondis an English actress, best known for her role as Miss Moneypenny in the James Bond films during the Pierce Brosnan years. She is also known for her role as meddlesome wealthy Lady Rosamund Painswick in Downton Abbey, spanning from 2010–15, who appeared in a number of episodes including the final episode of the final series. Bond has also grown prominent from her role as the unreliable Auntie Angela in the BBC comedy Outnumbered, Bond appeared in the whole...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionMovie Actress
Date of Birth27 November 1961
I lost a girlfriend when I was in my 30s. She was 46. It all sounds so trite, but I put a Post-it on my dressing-room wall. It said, 'The past is history. The future is a mystery. This moment is a gift, which is why it's called the present.'
It's always been a dream of mine to be Ginger Rogers or Cyd Charisse, and here I am performing alongside Robert Lindsay and being directed by a major Broadway producer. Who said dreams don't come true?
'Downton' is one of the best jobs in the world, and I'm looking forward to the next series for Maggie Smith's wicked sense of humour.
I have to be careful what I eat before going onstage, to avoid an upset stomach.
When I got on stage, I would have a rush of adrenaline; everybody gets it. Normally after the first night it becomes more controllable, and as long as I could ride the wave, I was still in charge.
Sometimes I'll work through the crossword sections of three separate papers.
Something like 'Sex And The City' was insulting - women all clawing on to their youth when there's such ripe territory in honestly exploring women's lives as they get older.
The middle-aged woman is the ground bed of the audience that watches television, and yet they are absolutely invisible.
Filming is quite exciting because every day is different, but it can involve long hours standing around in chilly locations. Theatre is a very different challenge because every night you're striving to keep it fresh, even though you might have been performing the same play for months.
The bravest thing I've ever done is fly to New York. I'm simply terrified of aeroplanes - I am the woman you see weeping at the airport.
I adore acting; it's in my blood - quite literally - but I can honestly say the most creative thing in the world for me is being a mother.
I tend to opt for relaxed family holidays when I can.
I get so nervous before I go on stage that I can never eat very much, so I'm always completely starving afterwards and dying for a bowl of pasta.
When women's parts are being written, they are more and more for under 30s who are nubile and beautiful. Actresses over 40 are finding very little happening.