Who is Gemma Jones? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

British Celebrities Born In December

Also Known As: Jennifer R. Jones

Age: 81 Years, 81 Year Old Females

Family:

father: Griffith Jones, an actor (1909–2007)

mother: Irene (née Isaac; 1911–1985)

siblings: Nicholas Jones

children: Luke G. Jones

Actresses British Women

Height: 5'6" (168 cm), 5'6" Females

City: Marylebone, England

More Facts

education: Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art

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1

Where was Gemma Jones born?

Gemma Jones was born in London, England.
2

What is Gemma Jones known for?

Gemma Jones is known for her versatile acting career in film, television, and stage productions.
3

Which famous movies has Gemma Jones starred in?

Gemma Jones has starred in notable films such as "Sense and Sensibility," "Bridget Jones's Diary," and "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger."
4

Has Gemma Jones received any critical acclaim for her acting?

Yes, Gemma Jones has received critical acclaim for her performances, including nominations for prestigious awards such as BAFTA and the British Independent Film Awards.
5

What are some of Gemma Jones' memorable roles in television?

Gemma Jones has delivered memorable performances on television in shows like "Gentleman Jack," "Unforgotten," and "Marvellous."

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Childhood & Early Life

Gemma was born Jennifer Gemma Jones, on December 4, 1942, in Marylebone, London, England, to English film, stage, and TV actor Griffith Jones and his wife, Irene. Gemma’s younger brother, Nicholas Jones, is also a film and TV character actor.

Gemma attended the 'Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.' She is also a gold medalist from the same institute. She won the medal in 1962. She is also an associate member of the 'Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.’

When Gemma decided to enter the movie industry, she had to change her name, as there was already a known actor named Jennifer Jones in the industry. Her father chose the name of one of the leading characters from 'Escape Me Never,’ the 1935 British drama film that he was part of, as Gemma’s pseudonym.

Shortly after her graduation in 1963, Gemma was cast as ‘Joanna,’ opposite Peter O'Toole, in the play 'Baal,' staged at the 'Phoenix Theater.' After a few more appearances in stage and TV productions, she made her film debut in 1971.

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Career

Much before Gemma made her first silver-screen appearance, she had made her TV debut with two TV series in 1962. She was thus seen as a postmistress in 'ITV Play of the Week' and as ‘Brenda’ in 'No Hiding Place.' Simultaneously, Gemma continued her stint with theater, appearing in plays such as 'The Cherry Orchard' (1965), 'Much Ado About Nothing,' 'Saint Joan' (1966), and 'Howard's End' (1967). She essayed the role of renowned nineteenth-century Italian operatic soprano Giuseppina Strepponi in the musical 'After Aida.'

In 1967, Gemma had her first brief recurring role in the 'BBC' series 'Rainbow City.' The same year, she played Queen Elizabeth I in the 'BBC' mini-series ‘Kenilworth’ and became a household name in the British TV circuit. She then starred in the 1970 'BBC 2’ four-part dramatization of the Henry James novel 'The Spoils of Poynton.' Gemma’s first film was the 1971 British historical drama–horror 'The Devils,' in which she played ‘Madeleine.’

By the mid-1970s, Gemma had gained recognition outside the UK, for her performances in the 'BBC' TV drama series 'Fall of Eagles' (as ‘Princess Vicky’) and 'The Duchess of Duke Street' (as ‘Louisa Trotter’). She was also part of two 'BBC' movies based on popular plays. She appeared as the protagonist, ‘Portia,’ in 'The Merchant of Venice' (1980) and as ‘Miss Prism’ in 'The Importance of Being Earnest' (1986). Gemma has also been part of a few detective and crime-based TV projects, such as 'Inspector Morse' (1987), 'Ruth Rendell Mysteries' (1990), the TV movie 'Wycliffe and the Cycle of Death' (1993), 'Midsomer Murders' (2002), 'Agatha Christie's Poirot' (2003), and 'Death in Paradise' (2013).

Gemma was approached for the role of ‘Sarah/Anna’ in the 1981 British romantic drama 'The French Lieutenant's Woman.' However, the role was finally bagged by Meryl Streep, who later won an 'Academy Award' nomination for the ‘Best Actress’ for her performance.

In 1995, Gemma was seen in her first Hollywood film. She was cast as ‘Mrs. Dashwood’ in the 'Academy Award'-winning period movie 'Sense and Sensibility.' In 1997, she essayed the role of ‘Lady Queensbury’ in the commended film 'Wilde,' based on Oscar Wilde’s 'Pulitzer Prize'-winning 1987 biography by Richard Ellmann. Gemma’s acting career flourished with a few more award-winning productions, such as the 1999 period drama 'The Winslow Boy' (as ‘Grace Winslow’), the 2000 UK TV movie 'Longitude' (as ‘Elizabeth Harrison’), and the 2001 romantic comedy ‘Bridget Jones's Diary’ (as ‘Mrs. Pamela Jones’).

In 2002, Gemma played ‘Madame Pomfrey’ in the second installment of the ‘Harry Potter’ film series, 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.' She reprised the role in the sixth installment, ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,’ and the eighth and final installment, 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2,' which released in 2009 and 2011, respectively. Gemma was cast in a recurring role in 'Trial and Retribution,' an 'ITV' police procedural drama. In 2014, she appeared as ‘Mary’ in the 'BBC' movie 'Marvellous,' for which she received a 'British Academy Television Award.'

From 2015 to 2017, Gemma played ‘Great Aunt Lizzie’ in 45 episodes of the 'BBC' children’s drama series 'Teacup Travels.' She voiced the character ‘Marmee’ in the 'Focus on the Family Radio Theatre' production of the 2018 family drama ‘Little Women.’ Gemma will be seen in the upcoming British–American historical drama series 'Gentleman Jack' and in musician Elton John’s biopic 'Rocketman.'

Gemma has also lent her voice to Shakespeare’s sonnet 'How Heavy Do I Journey on The Way,' featured in the compilation album 'When Love Speaks,' released in 2002 by 'EMI Classics.'

Family & Personal Life

Gemma has a son, Luke, from her long-term live-in relationship with the late director Sebastian Graham-Jones. Luke is a Los Angeles-based film producer.

Gemma’s family originally hails from the Welsh mountains. She thus developed an interest in mountain climbing. She also enjoys gardening.

Gemma was shown playing the piano in the 2014 film 'Radiator.' Her scenes were trick shots, as she cannot play the instrument in real life. Gemma did, however, learn to play the piano from her father, though she never practiced enough to gain expertise.

Facts About Gemma Jones

Gemma Jones is known for her versatility as an actress, having portrayed a wide range of characters in both film and television.

Outside of her acting career, Gemma Jones is also a talented painter and has exhibited her artwork in galleries.

Gemma Jones has a great sense of humor and is known for keeping the mood light on set with her jokes and camaraderie with fellow cast members.

In addition to her acting talents, Gemma Jones is a dedicated advocate for various charitable causes and has been involved in several philanthropic initiatives.

Gemma Jones is a lifelong learner and is constantly seeking out new challenges and opportunities to grow as an artist and individual.

Gemma Jones Biography

You wanted to know

Where was Gemma Jones born?

What is Gemma Jones known for?

Which famous movies has Gemma Jones starred in?

Has Gemma Jones received any critical acclaim for her acting?

What are some of Gemma Jones' memorable roles in television?