British actress Jeannette Charles, who was known for portraying the late Queen Elizabeth II, is dead. The nonagenarian actress died at the ripe old age of 96. Jeannette Charles’ acting career began in the mid-1970s and continued until her retirement in 2010. After her retirement, Jeannette Charles lived in Danbury, Essex, for the later part of her life.
Married once, Charles had lost her husband, Ken Charles, almost three decades ago in 1997. The couple had three children, whom the actress is survived by. At the time of her death, the actress was at a care home in Great Baddow. Jeannette Charles died at the care home on June 4, 2024, at age 96. Here’s everything to know about Jeannette Charles’ career and life.
Jeannette Charles’ Early Years
The actress was born Jeannette Dorothea Louise Charles in London, England, on October 15, 1927. Charles was born 18 months after the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was born on April 21, 1926. The actress’ mother, Yetta Clark, was a Dutch immigrant from Poland, while her father, Alfred Charles, was a soldier and cook who later became a restauranteur. Jeannette Charles later worked as a waitress for her father after graduating High School. She also worked as a typist and was a reputable au pair in Texas.
Jeannette Charles’ Early Acting Career
She had always dreamed of being an actress, but she never believed she had the face for it. After several years of putting it off, she finally summoned the courage to audition at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Although the audition was successful, and she was given admission, the fees were too expensive for her to afford. To make ends meet, she worked as a secretary.
Jeannette Charles’ Journey To Fame
Providence shined on Jeannette Charles in 1972 after commissioning a portrait of herself for her husband’s birthday. The portrait was displayed briefly by artist Jane Thornhill at the Royal Academy in London at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. Jeannette Charles had an uncanny resemblance to Queen Elizabeth II. Most visitors to the Royal Academy who saw the portrait had thought the Queen had sat for it. It wasn’t until Buckingham Palace clarified the Queen had not sat for the life portrait that Charles began getting the attention.
Besides the attention it brought from the press, it also brought its fair share of opportunities. Charles received several print advertisement offers to pose as the Queen. However, Jeanette Charles, for her continued love and respect for the Queen and royal family, turned down offers that required her to pose in a way that would disrespect the royal family. She reportedly received offers to pose as a centerfold and in lingerie, irrespective of the money being offered.
Realizing impersonating Queen Elizabeth II was an unexpectedly lucrative job, Charles ensured she doubled down on perfecting things. She studied the Queen’s voice and mannerisms, making her a more convincing impersonator of Queen Elizabeth II. However, before accepting offers for any print advertisement, one of her personal requests was that they expressly indicate she was an impersonator and not the real Queen Elizabeth II.
Jeannette Charles Spent Her Entire Acting Career Impersonating the Queen
While it isn’t uncommon for actors to have a career-defining role or be typecast in certain ways, Jeannette Charles took it to a whole new level. Of her 41 listed acting credits in movies and TV shows on IMDb, Jeannette Charles portrayed Queen Elizabeth II in 33. The first time Charles portrayed the Queen on screen was in 1974, in the TV movie Loriots Telecabinet. Although uncredited, Charles portrayed the Queen in the 1976 adventure-comedy fantasy film Queen Kong.
In 1977, Jeannette Charles played Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on season 2, episode 20 (hosted by Eric Idle) of Saturday Night Live, which aired on April 23, 1977. A few of her most notable appearances portraying the Queen included National Lampoon’s European Vacation (1985), The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). Also, she reportedly portrayed the Queen in the 1998 Lindsay Lohan-led The Parent Trap movie, but her scenes were cut out.
Jeannette Charles’ Death
Having spent her entire career portraying Queen Elizabeth II, it was something she was widely ever known for. Interestingly, Jeannette Charles died at age 96, which is exactly the same age Queen Elizabeth II was at the time of her death. Jeannette Charles’ death was announced by her daughter, Carol Christophi, in a statement that read, “Mum was a real character and a force of nature. She had an amazing life.” Besides Jeannette Charles’ death, read about General Hospital actress Elizabeth MacRae, who died at 88.
Follow Us
