Actress Kate Winslet’s most enduring character remains that of the protagonist in the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic, which made her an international star. She’s also known for doing period roles in films like Sense and Sensibility, Jude and Hamlet. Some of her other notable films are Iris, Little Children, Steve Jobs and The Reader. She won an Oscar for her performance in The Reader.
Emilia Clarke rose to fame with the television series Game of Thrones, which garnered her international recognition and won her several awards. She has also starred in many films like Solo: A Star Wars Story and was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019. Emilia also supports several charitable organisations.
Marcus Rashford is a prominent football player for the Manchester United Football Club and England national team. He became the youngest British footballer to score in his debut match for England. He uses his popularity to fight against issues like child food poverty and homelessness in the United Kingdom. He is often praised for his political activism.
A distinguished films, television and Broadway actress, Julie Andrews is best known for her performances in films like Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie and Victor/Victoria. She has also done voiceovers for animation movie like Despicable Me and Enchanted. The legendary actress has also released multiple albums and authored numerous children’s books as well as her autobiography.
Widely regarded as one of the best active boxers in the world, Anthony Joshua is the first British heavyweight to win both a major world title and an Olympic gold medal. Having avoided a life of crime, Joshua focused solely on boxing; his rags to riches story serves as an inspiration. He is one of the most influential Black Britons.
Simon Cowell is a television personality, entrepreneur and record executive. He has judged some of the most popular shows on British television like talent competition series Pop Idol, The X Factor UK and Britain's Got Talent. He has also judged the American television talent competition series American Idol, The X Factor US and America's Got Talent.
English actress Felicity Jones started her career as a child and went on to take up more mature roles as a teenager. One of her uncles is an actor, and he influenced her to take up the profession herself. She appeared in many TV shows in the initial years of her career before venturing into films as well.
An influential rapper, 21 Savage's Guns Down, Paintballs Up movement, which he reportedly started to reduce gun violence, gave rise to many incidents involving paintball guns. Also a philanthropist, Savage created the 21 Savage Bank Account Campaign to help kids learn how to make and save money. In 2018, he donated $10,000 to fund an anti-bullying campaign in school.
Regarded as one of the best football players of the current era, Wayne Rooney is the record goal-scorer for the Manchester United FC and England national team. Originally a boxer, Wayne continues to pursue boxing as a recreational activity. Wayne has been controversy's favorite child for many years now; from allegations of infidelity to legal issues, he has faced them all!
Widely regarded as one of the most popular actors to play the iconic secret agent James Bond in films, Roger Moore was more than just an actor. He was also well-known for his humanitarian work, so much so that he was knighted in 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II for services to charity.
Sting is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. Credited with co-founding the popular rock band, The Police, Sting played an important role in the band's success from 1977 to 1984 during which he served as the band's bassist, lead singer, and principal songwriter. Also known for his work as an activist, Sting has shown interest in political and social issues.
English musician, Thom Yorke, is the main vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Radiohead. He is a multi-instrumentalist as well. Active in the music industry for over 35 years, he performs both as part of his band and as a solo artist. He is a human rights activist and also supports animal rights, environmental and anti-war causes.
A well-established British stage actor, Matthew Macfadyen, made his screen debut with television movie Wuthering Heights and gained fame with drama series Spooks. He later gave an award winning performance in TV series Criminal Justice II. Meanwhile, he also made his film debut and gained popularity with movies like Pride & Prejudice, Death at a Funeral and Robin Hood.
Edward VI of England served as the King of England and Ireland from 1547 until his death at the age of 15 in 1553. Edward VI, who took interest in religious matters, allowed Protestantism to be established in England during his reign. His reign also witnessed the introduction of written works that formed the basis for practices of the English Church.
Calum Scott is a British singer-songwriter who achieved national recognition after competing in the ninth series of the popular reality television show Britain's Got Talent. An openly gay musician, Calum Scott serves as an inspiration to the LGBT community around the world.
John Lennon was part of the hugely successful and popular music band, Beatles. It became the first British band to break out big in the US. However, they eventually broke up. Subsequently, Lennon went solo, with 1971 album, Imagine, being his most successful and acclaimed post-Beatles efforts. Sadly he was shot dead by a deranged fan in New York.
English actor, Dan Stevens, first gained international fame with his portrayal in the ITV acclaimed period drama series Downton Abbey. The son of teacher parents, he developed an early interest in acting and became a member of the Footlights. Beginning his career in the mid-2000s, he didn’t take long to build a strong image in the entertainment field.
United Kingdom’s first female Prime Minister and also the longest serving Prime Minister in the 20th century, Margaret Thatcher served three consecutive terms in the office from 1979 till 1990. Her political views and leadership approach, known as Thatcherism, got her the nickname of Iron Lady. Though controversial, she prominently ranks high in the list of the best British Prime Ministers.
Clive Owen is an English actor who achieved international recognition for his performance in the 1998 neo-noir film Croupier. A patron of the Electric Palace Cinema, Clive Owen initiated a fundraiser to repair the deteriorating elements of the cinema. Also a huge fan of Liverpool FC, Owen narrated Being: Liverpool, a documentary TV series about the football club.
Matt Smith is best known for his award-winning portrayal of the 11th incarnation of The Doctor in the sci-fi series Doctor Who. Fans also loved him as Prince Philip in the Netflix historical series The Crown. Initially a soccer player, he switched to acting after spondylolysis ended his sports career.
Sarah Ferguson is one of the members of the British royal family. She started working with several charity organizations after marrying Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Even after her divorce, she has continued working with organizations like the American Cancer Society. In 2020, she set up her own foundation called Sarah's Trust.
Alesha Dixon is an English singer-songwriter, rapper, and TV personality. She initially wanted to become a teacher, but destiny had other plans for her, and she ended up entering the music world. She rose to fame as a singer in the 2000s as a member of the girl group Mis-Teeq. She later pursued a successful solo career as well.
Widely considered one of the greatest players ever, Bobby Charlton was an important member of the England national football team that emerged victorious at the 1966 FIFA World Cup. The recipient of several prestigious awards, including the Ballon d'Or, Charlton received a knighthood in 1994.
An English comedian, actor, writer, and director, Sacha Baron Cohen, is the creator of many fictional satirical characters, including Ali G and Borat Sagdiyev. He adopts a variety of accents and guises while playing these characters. He has been criticized for passing sexist and sexual comments. He is a mildly controversial figure and has been involved in a few lawsuits.
James Herriot was a British writer and veterinary surgeon. Many of his books about animals and veterinary practice inspired several films and television series, including the 1975 British movie All Creatures Great and Small. His early life inspired BBC's drama Young James Herriot. In 1994, Glasgow Veterinary College's library was named James Herriot Library in his honor.
John Entwistle was an English singer-songwriter, bass guitarist, and music producer. He is credited with co-founding the popular rock band, The Who, for which he served as the original bass guitarist and backing vocalist. Nicknamed Thunderfingers, Entwistle was named in Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Bass Players list. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Peter Green was an English guitarist and singer-songwriter. Green is credited with founding the popular British-American rock band, Fleetwood Mac. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Named in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time list, Green has influenced many other guitarists like Joe Perry and Gary Moore.
Ella Balinska is an English actress best known for playing Jane Kano in the popular 2019 action comedy film, Charlie's Angels. Before starting her acting career, Ella Balinska was an athlete, competing in track and field events at a national level. She also played county level netball and was a javelin thrower for Team London.
Ben Whishaw is an English actor best known for his portrayal of Norman Scott in a British TV comedy-drama series titled A Very English Scandal, which earned him several prestigious awards, such as a Primetime Emmy Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe Award. Ben Whishaw has also received other prestigious awards, including British Independent Film Award.
James II of England reigned as the king of Ireland, Scotland, and England from 1685 to 1688. His deposition as king, caused by the Glorious Revolution of 1688, ended a century of civil and political strife by establishing the principle that Parliament would be preferred over the Crown as opposed to the principles of divine right of kings and absolutism.
Diana Dors was an English singer and actress who became renowned as one of the most famous sex symbols of her generation in the UK. She achieved stardom, first as a blonde bombshell—who made headlines for organizing lavish parties—and later as a regular chat-show guest. Diana Dors’ life and career inspired a 1999 TV biographical film titled The Blonde Bombshell.
English actress and model, Mia Goth, began her career as a teenage model. Soon, she ventured into acting as well and made her film debut. In the ensuing years, she appeared in many movies and TV shows, making a name for herself in the entertainment industry. The popular actress is a recipient of the Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award.
Richard III was King of England from 1483 to 1485. His defeat and subsequent death marked the demise of the Middle Ages in England. He is the subject of William Shakespeare's famous play Richard III. He has also been an inspiration for several other works of literature and films.