Lesley-Anne Down was born on March 17, 1954, in London, England. Her early life was marked by her father's guidance, which enabled her to begin modeling at the tender age of 10. She went on to act in commercials and win several beauty contests, showcasing her natural charm and talent.
By the time she turned 15, Lesley-Anne had already completed four films and was voted "Britain's Most Beautiful Teenager." Her impressive early career laid the foundation for her future success in the entertainment industry.
Lesley-Anne first gained international recognition for her role as Georgina Worsley in the British series Upstairs, Downstairs (1971),which became a massive hit on PBS in the United States. Her subsequent film appearances include The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976),A Little Night Music (1977),The Betsy (1978),The Great Train Robbery (1978),Hanover Street (1979),Rough Cut (1980),and Sphinx (1981).
Lesley-Anne's television credits include starring roles in the miniseries The Last Days of Pompeii (1984) and North & South: Book 1, North & South (1985),as well as the television movies The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982),Arch of Triumph (1984),Indiscreet (1988),and the prime-time television series Dallas (1978),where she appeared in six episodes as Stephanie Rogers.
In addition to her television work, Lesley-Anne has also made guest appearances on the popular television series The Nanny (1993) and Diagnosis Murder (1993). Her stage credits include performances in "Hamlet" and a musical version of "Great Expectations."
Throughout her illustrious career, Lesley-Anne has earned numerous awards and nominations, including Golden Globe Award nominations, German Bravo Awards, the British Best Actress Award, the Rose D'or Best Soap Opera Actress Award, and the covers of numerous publications worldwide, including Life Magazine.
In her personal life, Lesley-Anne is married to cinematographer Don E. FauntLeRoy, whom she met while filming North & South: Book 1, North & South (1985). They reside in Malibu, California, with their son, George-Edward FauntLeRoy. Lesley-Anne also has a son, Jackson Friedkin, from her earlier marriage to director William Friedkin, as well as two stepchildren, Season FauntLeRoy and Juliana FauntLeRoy, from Don's previous marriage.
When not on set, Lesley-Anne enjoys spending time with her children and animals. She has an extensive collection of Victorian children's books, which she has been collecting since the age of 15.
