Lena Kathren Headey is a British prominent actress and voice actress, born on 3 October 1973 in Hamilton, Bermuda. Headey is best known for portraying Cersei Lannister in HBO’s hit fantasy series ‘Game of Thrones. She has provided her voice for the role-playing video game called “Risen” in 2009 and is one of the highest-paid actresses on TV. In ‘Fox’s Terminator,”, Lena played the main character as Sarah Connor.
Headey actings on “Game of Thrones” has helped her to receive five times Primetime Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe nomination.
Early Life
Talking about her first debut, Lena Headey gained her first experience at Shelley College at the age of 17 years old. After that, she was picked for the movie ‘Waterland’ (1992) while performing in a school production at the Royal National Theatre. She played in a one-off show, and later a casting agent took a photograph and asked her for an audition.
In 1993, Headey had a small role in ‘The Remains of the day.’
In 1994, she played the role of Katherine in Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book;’ the movie received much positive response and critic. As a result, the film earned nearly $44 million in the United States. For instance, she met her boyfriend actor Jason Flemyng on the set of ‘The Jungle Book.’
Career
Headey has shown her range in a variety of roles during her film career. She played the characters from Amazon-type warriors and action-minded women in ‘The Cave’ (2005) and ‘The Brothers Grimm’ (2005). She played the role of a lesbian florist in ‘Imagine Me & You’ (2005).
Lena Headey has portrayed the character of Gina McVey in the horror thriller ‘The Broken’ (2008). She has played the role of Elizabeth in ‘Tell-Tale’ (2009).
Heady appeared as Sarah Connor in a TV spin-off of the famous “Terminator” movie franchise, i.e., the FOX’s television series ‘Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles’ in 2008.
Mainstream success
In April 2011, Headey portrayed the character of queen regent Cersei Lannister on the HBO series ‘Game of Thrones’. The story is based on George R. R. Martin’s ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ series of novels. Headey got the role after her friend and co-star, Peter Dinklage, suggested her casting to producers. Her character as the cruel queen has received many critical acclaims.
She was nominated for a Scream Award in 2011 in the category of Best Fantasy Actress for the role. Headey was also praised and nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for portraying the character of Cersei in 2014, and 2016.
Lena Headey later worked as a guest appearance in the television show White Collar in the episode ‘Taking Account.’ She played the role of Sally in the episode. She appeared in the 3D action science-fiction film ‘Dredd’ in 2012 alongside Karl Urban and Olivia Thirlby.
She worked as the character of Madeline Madrigal (Ma-Ma) who is the leader of a drug-dealing gang, and the film’s primary villain. The director of the film is Pete Travis with a script by Alex Garland. Lena filmed the fantasy adventure film ‘The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box’ in May and June 2012 throughout South West England where she played the role of Monica. The film released in 2014.
Lena Headey again worked with Ethan Hawke to co-star in ‘The Purge’ which was a “micro-budget” horror film, which opened on 7 June 2013 at number one position in the United States. The movie grossed over $US36 million over the weekend.
In 2013, Headey played as Jocelyn Fray in the movie ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones opposite Lily Collins’ and ‘Jamie Campbell Bower.’
Headey worked on her role as Queen Gorgo in the 2014 sequel, 300: Rise of an Empire.
In 2014, Headey appeared in biographical film Low Down. It was a film which described the life of jazz pianist Joe Albany. Lena played the wife of Patrick Wilson’s character in ‘Zipper’ in 2015.
According to a report in July 2015, Headey would act as a voice character of Jeopardy Mouse in ‘Danger Mouse.’ It was a reboot of the 1981 TV series of the same name, broadcasted on CBBC in late 2015.
Meanwhile, Headey stated that “I wanted to do it because it is pure nostalgia for me. I have children now, and it’s just a treat to be involved in something that you loved as a kid and be able to share it. Those moments as an actor that come along once in a while are not to be missed.” Later, she appeared alongside Alexander Armstrong as Danger Mouse and Stephen Fry as Colonel.
Headey had co-starred in the horror film ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Zombies’ in 2016.
Headey gave the voice for Mercedes A-Class television advertisement and Morgana in Trollhunters in 2017.
Lena Headey Game Of Thrones
Lena Headey got her fame and the massive fanbase from the character Cersei Lannister of Game of Thrones. She is also one of the highest-paid TV actors from the series. She recently bid her farewell to Cersei as Game of Thrones is concluding with its final season on Game of Thrones Season 8.
Activism
Lena Headey has campaigned on the support of animal rights. She spoke out against animal abuse in an advertisement for the animal welfare group PETA in 2008.
Headey has been supporting the LGBT rights organization NOH8. In April 2015, she appeared on a T-shirt designed by them and sold through Represent.com to raise funds for the cause.
Awards won by Lena Headey
- Lena Headey won the ‘Silver Iris Award’ for Best Actress in the movie ‘Aberdeen’ in 2001.
- In 2012, Headey won the ‘EWwy Award’ for Best Supporting Actress in Drama.
- Headey won the ‘Portal Award’ for Best Actress on Television in 2012.
- In 2014, she won the ‘Women’s Image Network Award,’ and in 2015, she won the ‘Empire Award,’ and Gold Derby TV Awards.
- Lena Headey won the ‘Gold Derby TV Awards’ in 2016. Moreover, she got the nomination for many other movies as well.
Training and Skills
Lena Headey polished her natural acting talent while filming and acting. She took archery classes and horse training as an additional skill. Moreover, she joined boxing classes in clubs of south London, where she was taught by the former boxer to fight.
She does yoga regularly to keep her body and mind healthy.
Relationship
Ex-Husband
Leana Headey married musician Peter Paul Loughran on 19 May 2007 and divorced on 26 December 2013. She has one boy child named Wylie Elliot Loughran from her ex-husband Peter Paul Loughran.
Husband
Lena Heady was married to Dan Cadan in 2018. They gave birth to a daughter, Teddy Cadan, on 10 July 2015.
Lena Headey Quotes
“We’ve all had that moment where you look into someone’s eyes, and there’s some recognition there, whether you act on it or not.”
“Shooting guns is not something I would do in my spare time. I don’t understand why Americans can purchase guns so easily and why they use them for sporting purposes.”
Top Stories
Lena Headey calls out Hollywood gender stereotypes.
According to BBC, ‘Games of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke, Lena Headey and a host of other stars have given gender stereotypes in Hollywood a rough treatment.
Headey claims that “she got bullied during her audition” and instantly dismissed being as too old to play a ‘leading lady,'” with the casting agents stating they’re not looking for ‘leading lady’s mum.’
The film has become a part of the BBC’s Hear Her campaign that “aims to give free rein and the opportunity for normally unheard women from across the U.K. to tell their stories and give their opinions on all matters ‘women’.
It states that Heady was dismissed outright for looking “like a mum,” while Katie Leung also got the same treatment because she’s Asian. Similarly, Chan, who is also of Asian descent, was asked if she could be “more white.”
Official Sites
Lena Heady is one of the active social site users. She is on Instagram. Her account description is like:
Lena Headey’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamlenaheadey/
Lena Headey’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IAMLenaHeadey
Trivia
Lena Headey is currently 46 years old as of Feb 2020.
Lena Headey has tattoos on her arm that says “Jason” in Thai; right upper arm; between shoulder blades. She has extensive tattoos on her back.
Lena Heady had to learn how to skin a rabbit for the film ‘The Brothers Grimm’ (2005).
Lena Heady was in a relationship with Jerome Flynn. But they ended on bad terms due to which, each had a clause inserted into their contracts that they would never share scenes on Game of Thrones (2011).
Lena Headey is the mother of two children; a son Wylie Elliot Loughran who was born on March 31, 2010, with her ex-husband Peter Paul Loughran and a daughter Teddy Cadan who was born on July 10, 2015, with her boyfriend, Dan Cadan.
Lena Headey has a vast number of tattoos on the back of her body.
Headey was pregnant with her son Wylie during the shooting of Game of Thrones Season 1. The production team was excited about her performance that they even didn’t try to recast the role. The group somewhat worked around it. Directors kept the camera frame above her waist and had her sit at a table.
Lena Headey’s costumes had large billowing sleeves which she carried in front of her to hide her pregnancy for wide shots. During Season 5’s filming ended, she gave birth to her daughter Teddy the same month the season has premiered.
Lena Headey movies and TV shows
She has acted in more than 90 movies, TV shows.
Lena Headey Films and series
| Movies | TV Shows |
|---|---|
| The Flood (2019) - Wendy | Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018) - Big Mama |
| Fighting with My Family (2019) - Julia Knight | Sally4Ever (2018) - Lena Headey |
| Walk Like a Panther (2018) - Janet Winters (uncredited) | Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia (2017-18) - Morgana / The Pale Lady |
| ill Ray: the King (2017) | Danger Mouse (2015-17) -Jeopardy Mouse |
| Thumper (2017) - Ellen | Game of Thrones (2011-19) - Cersei Lannister |
| Kingsglaive: (2016) Final Fantasy XV- Lunafreya Nox Fleuret | Uncle Grandpa (2014-17) - Aunt Grandma |
| Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) - Lady Catherine de Bourgh | White Collar (2011) - Sally |
| Zipper (2015) - Jeannie Ellis | The Super Hero Squad Show (2009) - Black Widow / Mystique |
| Game of Thrones: A Telltale Games Series(video game)(2014) - Cersei Lannister (voice) | Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (2008 -09) Sarah Connor |
| 300: Rise of an Empire (2014) - Queen Gorgo | The Long Firm (TV Mini-Series) (2004) - Ruby Ryder |
| Low Down (2014) - Sheila Albany | Merlin (TV Mini-Series) (1998) - Guinevere |
| The Adventurer: The Curse of the Midas Box (2013) - Monica | Gold (1997) - Colette |
| The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) - Jocelyn | The Hunger (1997) - Steph / Nurse |
| The Purge (2013/I) - Mary Sandin | Kavanagh QC (1997) - Natasha Jackson |
| Dishonored (Video Game) (2012) - Callista Curnow (voice) | Band of Gold (1996) - Colette |
| Dredd (2012) - Ma-Ma | Ballykissangel (1996) - Jenny Clark |
| Pete Smalls Is Dead(2010) - Shannah | Soldier Soldier (1993) - Shenna Bowles |
| Risen(2009) - Patty / Cathy / Jasmin | How We Used to Live (1993) - Grace Palmer |
| Tell Tale(2009) - Elizabeth Clemson | Spender (1993) -Emily Goodman |
| Laid to Rest(2009) - Cindy | Screen Two (1993) - Margaret |
| The Devil's Wedding(2009) - The Devil's Bride | |
| Whore(2018/I) - Mom | |
| The Red Baron(2018) - Käte | |
| The Broken (2018) - Gina McVey | |
| St. Trinian's(2007) - Miss Dickinson | |
| The Contractor (Video)(2007) - DI Annette Ballard | |
| Ultra (2006) - Penny/Ultra | |
| 300(2006) - Queen Gorgo | |
| Vacancy (Short)(2006) - Pam Bishop | |
| Imagine Me & You(2005) - Luce | |
| Round About Five (Short) (2005) - Girlfriend | |
| The Brothers Grimm(2005) - Angelika | |
| The Cave (2005) - Dr. Kathryn Jennings | |
| Waterland(1992) - Young Mary | |
| No Verbal Response (Short)(2003) - Megan | |
| The Actors(2003) - Dolores | |
| Ripley's Game (2002) - Sarah Trevanny | |
| Possession(2002) - Blanche Glover | |
| Black Plague (Video) (2002) - Lady Matilda Mellerby | |
| The Gathering Storm (TV Movie (2002) - Ava Wigram | |
| The Parole Officer (2001) - Emma | |
| Inside-Out (Short) (2000) - Window-dresser | |
| Aberdeen (2000) - Kaisa | |
| Gossip (2000/I) - Cathy Jones | |
| Ropewalk (2000) - Allison | |
| Onegin (1999) - Olga | |
| Twice Upon a Yesterday (1998) - Sylvia Weld | |
| Mrs Dalloway (1997) - Young Sally | |
| Face(1997/I) - Connie | |
| Van Gogh's Ear (Short) (1997) - | |
| Devil's Advocate (TV Movie)(1995) - Clare Rigby | |
| Gentlemen Don't Eat Poets (1995) - Cleo Coal | |
| Loved Up (TV Movie)(1995) - Sarah | |
| The Jungle Book(1994) - Kitty | |
| MacGyver: Trail to Doomsday (TV Movie)(1994) - Elise Moran | |
| Fair Game (TV Movie)(1994) - Ellie | |
| Century(1993) - Miriam | |
| The Remains of the Day (1993) - Lizzie |
Public image
She has appeared on TV Guide covers, G3, Sunday Mirror, and Germany’s Filmstar. She was ranked No. 64 on the ‘Maxim magazine’ as Hot 100 of 2007 list. Likewise, at No. 4, No. 10 and No. 3 in ‘After Ellen’s list of the Hot 100 in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
Producer
Lena Headey has worked as an executive producer in the movie ‘The Flood.’ She has also worked as an executive producer for the short film ‘The Devil’s Wedding.’
Other works
Lena Headey has appeared on stage in “The Coca-Cola” at Theatre Challenge and likewise in the video “Bellissimo,” directed by the Guard Brothers.
Salary
Lena Headey received the following list of wages for the fantasy drama series ‘Games of Thrones’:
$500,000 an episode (season 7)
$500,000 an episode (season 8)
£340,000 per episode
Personal Life
Lena Headey Alma Maters is Shelley College. Lena Headey holds a nickname that is ‘Lena.’ Her nationality is British. Headey is professionally an actress. Headey’s Sun Sign is Libra. Lena Heady’s ethnicity is white. Lena Heady is 5 ft 5.5 inches (166 cm) tall.
In 2011, she stated that she now eats meat again, albeit rarely.
Lena Headey has printed many tattoos on her body. She has a large floral design on her back and a Pema Chödrön quote on her ribs. According to her, she loves tattoos and finds it calming. Many of her roles require her to cover them.
Lena Headey is close with actress Piper Perabo since they starred together in the 2005 films ‘The Cave’ and ‘Imagine Me & You.’ Headey has a good relationship with her Game of Thrones co-stars Peter Dinklage and Pedro Pascal.
| Lena Headey Biography and Facts | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 3 October 1973 |
| Birth Name | Lena Kathren Headey |
| Net Worth | $9 Million |
| Profession | Actor |
| Height | 1.66 m ( 5 ft 5.5 in) |
| Weight | Approx 55 kg |
| Natural Hair Color | Dark Brunette |
| Eye Color | Green |
| Married to | Dan Cadan (2018 - present) Peter Paul Loughran (2007 -2013, Divorced) |
| Children | 2 |
| Star Sign | Libra |
| Education | Shelley College |