Raised in a working-class family

At age 17, ran away from home to pursue an acting career

After drama school, worked as an actress in TV and on stage; was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company for one year

In early 1980s, met the rock musician/actor Sting

Appeared in the documentary "Bring on the Night", directed by Michael Apted

Acted in "The Body in the Library" episode of the British series "Agatha Christie's Miss Marple"

Had featured role in the Italian-produced film "Mamba"

Was a producer on Apted's documentary "Moving the Mountain"

Acted alongside Sting in "Grotesque/Gentlemen Don't Eat Poets/Grave Indiscretion"; released in USA in 1997

Served as executive producer of "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels", a stylish British gangster comedy-drama directed by Guy Ritchie; Sting co-starred as the bar owner father of one of the leads

Once again teamed with Guy Ritchie to executive produce his follow-up film "Snatch"

Served as executive producer of the comedy "Greenfingers"

Returned to acting in "On the Q.T.", shown as a "work in progress" at IFFM

Co-starred in "Me Without You" as a boozy mother; screened at the Venice and London Film Festivals before its release in Great Britain

Guest starred on the popular sitcom "Friends" (NBC) playing herself

Had featured role as an ugly gypsy woman in the ABC TV production "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister"

Directed "The Sweatbox" a documentary which follows the making of Disney's "The Emperor’s New Groove"

Cast in the black comedy, "Cheeky," written and directed by David Thewlis and produced by her production company, Xingu Films

Portrayed Servilia, mother of Brutus in the epic series "Empire" (ABC)

Acquired film rights to Joshua Doder's "Grk" children's book trilogy for her production company, Xingu Films