Amanda Donohoe (born 29 June 1962) is an English actress. She first came to public attention at age 16 for her relationship with pop singer Adam Ant, appearing in the music videos for the Adam and the Ants' singles "Antmusic" (1980) and "Stand and Deliver" (1981) during their four-year relationship. After making her film debut in Foreign Body (1986), she co-starred in Castaway with Oliver Reed and starred in two films by Ken Russell: The Lair of the White Worm (1988) and The Rainbow (1989).

Donohoe later moved to the United States, where she appeared in films and in television series, which included winning a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actress during her two years (1990–1992) as C.J. Lamb on the NBC drama series L.A. Law. She also appeared in the series Frasier in the episode "Call Me Irresponsible". Other television roles include Natasha Wylde on the British soap opera Emmerdale (2009–2010). She has had numerous stage roles, including Yelena in a 1996 Broadway production of Uncle Vanya.

Early life Amanda Donohoe was born on 29 June 1962 in London, to Ted and Joanna Donohoe. She has an older sister, Cordelia. She is of Irish, Russian and Swiss ancestry. Her father worked for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which led to her family moving a great deal, with a base in London but also living for periods overseas. After her father's retirement, he joined her mother in her antiques-dealing business.

Donohoe was educated at the Francis Holland School. When 15 years old, she met Adam Ant (Stuart Goddard) and a year later, she left her parents' home and moved in with Ant in Notting Hill. In October 1980, she accompanied Ant to the recording of the Top of the Pops (TOTP) performance of "Dog Eat Dog." Afterwards, in an incident in the BBC corridors, she personally stepped in to physically defend Ant from an assault by rival band 4" Be 2" who were also on the premises.Stand and Deliver The Autobiography, Adam Ant, PanMcMillan, 2006

In 1981, Donohoe appeared in the promotional videos for the songs "Antmusic" and "Stand and Deliver" by Adam and the Ants, which were screened on TV when the band was at the height of its fame. Shortly before the band began its 1981 world tour, Donohoe was offered a place at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, which she accepted.

Career After graduation, Donohoe came to the attention of worldwide audiences in 1986 when she was cast to co-star with Oliver Reed as Lucy Irvine in Castaway. She followed this with roles in two Ken Russell films, The Lair of the White Worm (1988) and The Rainbow (1989).

After moving to Los Angeles in 1990, Donohoe made her debut on television in the role of lawyer Cara Jean "C.J." Lamb on the American legal drama television series L.A. Law in which she appeared during the fifth and sixth seasons of the series. In February 1991, she took part in the first of the so-called "lesbian kiss episodes" on American television when her character privately kissed fellow lawyer Abby Perkins, played by Michele Greene. Some of her other television roles include Louise Stoke in Series 8 of Bad Girls and a guest appearance in Ally McBeal. She had a major supporting role in the comedy film Liar Liar (1997), starring Jim Carrey.

Donohoe made her Broadway debut in a 1995 production of Uncle Vanya, at the Circle in the Square Theatre. She returned to the UK to play Mrs. Robinson in a 2001 stage production of The Graduate.

After moving back to the UK in the early 2000s, Donohoe took the role of DI Susan Alembic in the crime drama Murder City (2004–2006). In 2009 she joined the cast of ITV soap opera Emmerdale as businesswoman Natasha Wylde. Donohoe played the character until leaving the series in November 2010. On 18 and 19 February 2010, she was a guest panelist on Loose Women. She has also lent her voice to the Activision PC video game Santa Fe Mysteries: The Elk Moon Murder as Karen Gordon.

Personal life A socialist and feminist, Donohoe said in a Q&A with The Guardian in 2001 that she was categorically opposed to the death penalty, supported the monarchy, and would vote for the Labour Party in the general election of that year. Donohoe considered smoking cigarettes to be her most unappealing habit, and said she cooked and drank good red wine to relax.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1986Foreign BodySusan Partridge Castaway Lucy Irvine 1988 Lady Sylvia Marsh 1989 Winifred Inger Diamond Skulls Ginny Bruckton Tank Malling Helen Searle 1990 Paper Mask Christine Taylor 1994 Lady Pembroke 1997 Liar Liar Miranda One Night Stand Margaux 1998 Laura Kershaw I'm Losing You Mona Deware Stardust Christine Wasacz 2000 Circus Gloria Wild About Harry Ruth McKee 2001 Phoenix Blue Persha Lovich 2008 Starship Troopers 3: Marauder Admiral Enolo Phid 2009 Trish 2011 Siobhan (voice) Short film 2013 Trafficker Alison Reid 2018 Blue Iguana Dawn Bradshaw 2021 Bianca Pembroke

Television Year Title Role Notes 1988 Drusilla Janus TV film Les Girls Camilla Episode: "Tarts" Game, Set and Match Gloria Kent Regular role 1990–1992 L.A. Law Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb Main role 1991 Screen Two Jane Clemant Episode: "The Laughter of God" 1992 Shame Diana Cadell TV film 1993 It's Nothing Personal Katherine Whitloff TV film Briefest Encounter Siobhan TV film The Hidden Room Martha Episode: "Dangerous Dreams" Gayle Richards / Laura Ellington TV film Frasier Catherine Episode: "Call Me Irresponsible" Jo 3 episodes 1994 Murder Most Horrid Carmela Vezza Episode: "Overkill" 1995 Shame II: The Secret Diana Cadell TV film 1996 Meggie Cleary O'Neill TV film Deep Secrets Lara TV film 1998 Queen Guinevere TV film 1999 Batman Beyond Donna Walker / Queen Voice, episode: "Dead Man's Hand" 2000 Ally McBeal Marianne Holt Episode: "I Will Survive" In the Beginning Zuleika TV miniseries 2001 Lauren Marcus TV film Lady Waltham Voice, episode: "Tarzan and the Gauntlet of Vengeance" 2002 Lucky Day Nora Barkin TV film 2004–2006 Murder City DI Susan Alembic Main role 2006 Bad Girls Lou Stoke Main role 2009–2010 Emmerdale Natasha Wylde Regular role 2013 Toast of London Ellen Episode: "Vanity Project" Air Force One Is Down Gillian Berry TV miniseries 2014 Pramface Sally 2 episodes Toast of London Ellen Episode: "Buried Alive"

Stage Year Title Role Notes 1984 Cymbeline Helen Great Expectations Estella Royal Exchange, Manchester Lady Catherine 1995 Uncle Vanya Yelena Andreyevna Circle in the Square Theatre 1996 Miss Julie Miss Julie Royal Exchange, Manchester 1997–1998 HRH Wallis Simpson UK tour 2001 Mrs. Robinson Hedda Gabler Hedda Royal Exchange, Manchester 2002 Teeth 'n' Smiles Maggie Sheffield Theatres 2011 Star Quality Lorraine UK tour

Awards and nominations In 1990, Donohoe was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Actress for her performance in Ken Russell's The Lair of the White Worm (1988), and, in 1992, won the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film for her role as Cara Jean 'C.J.' Lamb in L.A. Law.

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