Joanna Lumley is an English actress, author, and activist best known for her role as Patsy Stone in the BBC television comedy Absolutely Fabulous. She was born on May 1, 1946, in Srinagar, Kashmir, then part of British India. Her father, Major James Rutherford Lumley, served in the British Army with the 6th Gurkha Rifles. Lumley spent much of her early childhood in the Far East before relocating to the United Kingdom for her education.
Before pursuing acting, Lumley began her professional career as a fashion model. She worked with several renowned photographers of the era, including her close friend Patrick Lichfield. Her striking elegance and poise made her a popular figure in the British fashion scene during the 1960s.
Lumley’s breakthrough in acting came in 1976 when she was cast as Purdey in the British television series The New Avengers (a revival of the earlier series The Avengers). Her portrayal of the stylish and capable secret agent garnered immediate attention. The character's signature hairstyle—the ‘Purdey bob’—became a fashionable trend across the United Kingdom during the late 1970s.
In 1992, Lumley earned critical and popular acclaim for her performance as Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous. Her portrayal of the decadent, hard-drinking, chain-smoking fashionista became one of the most celebrated comedic roles in British television history. The performance earned her multiple awards and cemented her status as a national treasure in the UK’s entertainment industry. Lumley’s sharp comedic timing and commitment to the exaggerated role showcased her versatility as an actress.
| Birth Date: | 1 May, 1946 |
| Age: | 73 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United Kingdom |
| Birth Place: | Srinagar |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | British actress and former model |
| Spouse: | Stephen Barlow [M. 1986] Jeremy Lloyd |
| Net Worth 2020: | 13 million |
| Net Worth 2021: | 20 million |
