Shirley Henderson

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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 «

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

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

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

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

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

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

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...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 «

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 doin...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 «

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...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 «

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 critici...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 «

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...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 «

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 a...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 never get the tall, blonde, glamorous roles because I'm not tall, blonde and glamorous. I'm more the wee, disturbing characters because of...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 «

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 go and see a film, your brain is still ...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 «

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 aro...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 «

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

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