Britain’s new dames include a TV diva
The diva of “Dynasty” is now a dame.
Joan Collins, who played scheming, shoulder pad-wearing Alexis Carrington in the hit 1980s TV show, was made the female equivalent of a knight in Queen Elizabeth II’s annual New Year’s honors list.
The star of potboilers including “The Stud” and “The Bitch” was recognized for her services to charity. Collins, 81, is a longtime supporter of nonprofit groups helping children.
London-born Collins said Tuesday it was “humbling to receive this level of recognition from my queen and country, and I am thrilled and truly grateful.”
Actress Kristin Scott Thomas, who is due to play the British monarch in the stage play “The Audience” next year, was also made a dame, and said she initially didn’t believe the news.
“I am thrilled, astonished and worried that I might suddenly wake up,” said Scott Thomas, who received an Academy Award nomination in 1997 for “The English Patient.”
Fashion designer Mary Quant, who made the miniskirt synonymous with ’60s style, was also named a dame, as were television presenter Esther Rantzen, who founded the ChildLine telephone service for neglected and abused young people, and British poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy.
Veteran actor John Hurt, star of “The Naked Civil Servant,” “The Elephant Man” and “Alien,” was made a knight.
And it will be “Arise, Sir Simon” for chemist Simon Campbell, part of the team that created erectile dysfunction drug Viagra.
Comic actor James Corden, incoming host of “The Late Late Show” on CBS, was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, or OBE. The same honor went to his ex, actress Sheridan Smith.
Actress Emily Watson, who was Oscar nominated for “Breaking the Waves” and “Hilary and Jackie,” also received an OBE.
Music producer Peter Asher, half of 1960s pop duo Peter and Gordon, was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, or CBE. So were comedian Meera Syal, a star of groundbreaking sketch comedy show “Goodness Gracious Me,” and Scottish writer Ali Smith, whose novel “How To Be Both” was shortlisted for this year’s Booker Prize.
A century after the start of World War I, ceramic artist Paul Cummins and stage designer Tom Piper were recognized for creating a sea of ceramic poppies that filled the moat of the Tower of London in tribute to the war dead. They were made Members of the Order of the British Empire, or MBEs, for creating the work, which was visited by 5 million people, including the queen.
Britain’s honors are bestowed by the monarch, but recipients are selected by committees of civil servants from nominations made by the government and the public.
The birthday bunch
Actor Sir Anthony Hopkins is 77. Actor Tim Considine (TV: “My Three Sons”) is 74. Actress Sarah Miles is 73. Actor Sir Ben Kingsley is 71. Fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg is 68. Actor Tim Matheson is 67. Actress Bebe Neuwirth is 56. Actor Val Kilmer is 55. Pop singer Joe McIntyre is 42. Rapper PSY (Park Jae-sang) is 37. Olympic gold medal gymnast Gabby Douglas is 19.