Shirley Henderson

Birthday: 24 November 1965, Kincardine, Fife, Scotland, UK

Height: 154 cm

The eldest of three sisters, Shirley Henderson was born into a working-class family in the village of Kincardine in Fife, Scotland. As a teenager she sang locally and performed in school drama clubs. Her first break came when she watched a singer on the Opportunity Knocks (1956) TV talent program and decided she could do as well. She entered and won a talent competition at Butlins Holiday Camp and from there graduated to local music club gigs. She was later accepted by London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She performed on stage in England's National Theatre company, which led to a role on the British TV drama Hamish Macbeth (1995) with future Trainspotting (1996) co-star Robert Carlyle. Show less «

I'm always nervous taking on a period role because it's difficult to research - you can't observe it...Show more »

I'm always nervous taking on a period role because it's difficult to research - you can't observe it, go out and see it. But it's satisfying because eventually you think, 'I got there.' Show less «

I like doom and gloom with a sense of humour. Maybe it's a Scottish thing, we like to undercut indul...Show more »

I like doom and gloom with a sense of humour. Maybe it's a Scottish thing, we like to undercut indulgence with a laugh. Show less «

I wasn't frightened of people, but I didn't have a clue about the adult world.

I'm not going to get an Oscar at 30 - that's done. So I'll think of something else.

I don't have children, but we all want to protect whatever we love in life.

I spend plenty of time in London and it doesn't scare me, but it's a lonely place, even if you've go...Show more »

I spend plenty of time in London and it doesn't scare me, but it's a lonely place, even if you've got friends there. My job takes me all around the world, meeting lots of interesting people. But I think if I couldn't get home, if I couldn't get back to what I consider my real life I'd be frightened. Show less «

It's such a stress always trying to get bigger houses and larger cars and better schools. Of course,...Show more »

It's such a stress always trying to get bigger houses and larger cars and better schools. Of course, parents want to give their children the best opportunities in life, but sometimes that can stifle them. Show less «

There is such pressure on kids these days to be the best at everything.

American scripts are usually non-stop conversation. People talking over each other. I like that.

I never get the tall, blonde, glamorous roles because I'm not tall, blonde and glamorous. I'm more t...Show more »

I never get the tall, blonde, glamorous roles because I'm not tall, blonde and glamorous. I'm more the wee, disturbing characters because of the way I look or sound. Show less «

Youth makes you brave, I suppose. When you're young, you make a fool of yourself all the time. Becau...Show more »

Youth makes you brave, I suppose. When you're young, you make a fool of yourself all the time. Because of all the rejections and the criticism you get all the time, there has to be a drive there. Show less «

Children don't just play any more - they're far too busy learning to fence and taking extra French c...Show more »

Children don't just play any more - they're far too busy learning to fence and taking extra French classes. In the end, you're actually doing more damage to your children by trying to hot-house them. It's far better to remain a calm parent. Show less «

It's odd, because I used to see pictures, on telly or wherever, of what I now know to be Shaftesbury...Show more »

It's odd, because I used to see pictures, on telly or wherever, of what I now know to be Shaftesbury Avenue and I used to wonder what that amazing street with all the lights was. Well, now I know. I think when you get a wee taste of something, it maybe isn't what you thought it was. Show less «

I daydream all the time, and I like that quality.

When I'm doing theatre, I feel like my life's on hold. Even though you might go out for a coffee, or...Show more »

When I'm doing theatre, I feel like my life's on hold. Even though you might go out for a coffee, or go and see a film, your brain is still there, pulling you back to it. Show less «

Filming is long - you get very tired, and your skin breaks out and you get lumps and bumps. It's eas...Show more »

Filming is long - you get very tired, and your skin breaks out and you get lumps and bumps. It's easier if you're allowed to have bags under your eyes. Show less «

I don't know what I'd do if I had to look pretty all the time.

You suddenly find yourself somewhere and you wonder, how did I get in this room? That happens to me ...Show more »

You suddenly find yourself somewhere and you wonder, how did I get in this room? That happens to me all the time, every day! Show less «

Shirley Henderson

Shirley Henderson's FILMOGRAPHY

Shirley Henderson'S roles

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