Rosemary Harris is a renowned English actress, having won four Drama Desk Awards and earning nine Tony Award nominations. Her iconic role as Eleanor of Aquitaine in "The Lion in Winter" earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in 1966. Harris is also well-known for her portrayal of May Reilly Parker, the paternal aunt-in-law and surrogate mother of Spider-Man/Peter Parker, in the "Spider-Man" film trilogy from 2002 to 2007.
Born in 1927 in Ashby, Suffolk, England, Harris spent part of her childhood in British India due to her father's military assignments. She attended various convent schools and later received formal acting education at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) from 1951 to 1952.
Harris made her theatrical debut in 1948 and went on to appear in English repertory theatre, eventually joining Anthony Cundell's theatrical company. She made her West End debut in London and her film debut in "Beau Brummell" in 1954.
Harris has had a long and distinguished career, performing in classical theatre productions with the Bristol Old Vic and the Old Vic, as well as in Broadway productions with the Association of Producing Artists (APA). She has also appeared in numerous television productions, including the BBC serial "Notorious Woman" and the American television miniseries "Holocaust".
In the 1990s, Harris co-starred with her daughter Jennifer Ehle in the television series "The Camomile Lawn" and had a high-profile film role in the historical drama "Tom & Viv". She also co-starred with Jennifer Ehle again in the historical drama film "Sunshine" in 1999.
Harris has continued to work in theatre and film throughout her career, with her last high-profile role being Mrs. Higgins in a Broadway revival of "My Fair Lady" from 2018 to 2019. At 93 years old, Harris remains an active and accomplished actress, having never officially retired.
