Jeannette Charles
Actor
Biography
Jeannette Dorothea Louise Charles (née Clark; October 15, 1927 - June 2, 2024) was an English actress, known for her portrayals of Queen Elizabeth II. She performed in repertory theatre in her twenties, but initially had difficulty obtaining Equity membership due to her resemblance to the Queen. She went on to play that role in numerous films including Secrets of a Superstud (1976), Queen Kong (1976), The Rutles' movie All You Need Is Cash (1978), National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985), The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002).
On television, Charles appeared as a semi-regular in Spike Milligan's Q series on BBC Television and appeared on Channel 4's Big Brother 10 to surprise the Brazilian contestant Rodrigo Lopes (who thought he was meeting the real Queen Elizabeth II for a task). She also appeared in Saturday Night Live episode, Season 2, Episode 20 in 1977 and Mind Your Language episode, Season 2 Episode 2 Queen For a Day in 1978.
She retired in 2014 and resided in Chelmsford, Essex. She passed away a decade later on June 2nd, 2024 at the age of 96.
Filmography
Austin Powers in Goldmember
as Queen 2002
National Lampoon's European Vacation
as Queen Elizabeth 1985
The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash
as The Queen 1978
Queen Kong
as HM The Queen (uncredited) 1976
If It's Tuesday, It Still Must Be Belgium
as Queen of England 1987
Joan Rivers: Abroad in London
as Elizabeth 1992
Björn Again: Live At The Royal Albert Hall
as Queen Elizabeth II (cameo) 1998
Born Erect
as The Queen 1976