Miriam Margolyes

Miriam Margolyes OBE is an award-winning actress, voice actress, presenter, political activist, and writer who has led an extraordinary career, appearing in some of the biggest films and TV shows including the likes of the Harry Potter franchise, Blackadder, The Age of Innocence, Romeo and Juliette, Little Shop of Horrors and countless more. A household name, Mariam is a sought after as a speaker for a wide variety of events, sharing experiences from her successful career as well as her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, of which she is part of as an openly lesbian women.

Miriam was born in the UK to a Jewish family and she attended Oxford High School and Newman College, Cambridge where she read English. Drawn to the limelight as a self-professed ‘attention seeker’, Miriam represented Newman College in the first ever series of University Challenge. Miriam has had an immensely successful career in film, on stage and on television and began to gain recognition in the 1970s for her work as a voice artist. Her first major role in a film was in Stand Up, Virgin Soldiers, and later starred alongside Rowan Atkinson in one of the most recognisable TV productions, Blackadder. For her outstanding performance in Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence, Miriam won a BAFTA for the Best Supporting Actress and also was honoured a Lifetime Achievement Award from the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2022.

Outside of film, Miriam has been politically active from a young age and joined the Workers Revolutionary Party and is a signatory of Jews for Justice for Palestinians. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, she has been very vocal about spreading awareness and acceptance using her wide reach to audiences. Most recently, Miriam has been campaigning to secure an LGBTQ+ friendly host country for the 2030 World Cup with ‘The Big Gay Donation’. Fighting for what she believes in, in every aspect of her life, Miriam has been very outspoken about the UK government’s handling of Coronavirus and was a signatory to a letter criticising ‘The Jewish Chronicle’s’ reporting of Jeremy Corbyn’s links to antisemites.

As one of the most recognisable names in show business Mariam is determined to use her platform to advocate for the rights and support of the LGBTQ+ community. She encourages others to come out and be true to themselves, ensuring they live their life to its full, just like Miriam has – enjoying her first Pride at the age of 81. If you are looking for a powerful LGBTQ+ speaker who is truly passionate about acceptance, look no further than Miriam Margolyes.