Harry Potter’s Miriam Margolyes Gives a Hilarious Interview on Growing Old

Apr 17, 2016

Posted by: Catherine

HP Cast, News

Miriam Margolyes is just as witty, if not more so, than her character of Professor Sprout in Harry Potter. Miriam recently sat down with the British news website, the Mirror, to discuss growing old, farting, and partying with Prince Charles. Three things that do not commonly get mentioned in the same sentence together.

The Harry Potter actress, who has acclaim for many other roles as well, including her BAFTA for best supporting actress in Martin Scorsese’s The Age Of Innocence, will turn 75 this May. She is currently awaiting surgery for a knee replacement just before her birthday. Miriam spoke about her health in a half-serious, half-joking manner, saying:

 

 ‘One of the worst things about ageing,’ she says, rubbing her leg, ‘is the waning of your physical powers; I live in a house with 64 stairs and I simply cannot run up and down them any more, my knee has conked out.’

‘If I could give my younger self one piece of advice,’ she booms, ‘I would say, “lose weight”.

“I’ve been fat my whole life and pretended I don’t mind. But I do mind. It’s really stupid that I’ve gone on being greedy and fat. I’m going to be 75 in May. How can I have lived this long and not know anything?’

‘I don’t care what I look like, I must be comfortable. I can see some of my friends have had plastic surgery and Botox, but I’m not the least bit interested in it.’

She then tells us about one of her friends – a famous actress of a similar age – whose terrible facelift appalled her. ‘She was a beautiful woman, but that damaged little face, it’s heartbreaking.’

One perk of age, she concedes, is you stop giving a damn. She was recently at Edinburgh station and when a young man refused her request to give up his seat for her – she emptied her water bottle over his head.

‘It was naughty. But he didn’t get hurt, just wet, and it did feel fabulous,’ she chuckles.

‘Getting older is a hideous experience, I’m so glad I only have to do it once. But I’ve kept my mind, my career, my relationship, and I have enough money – I know I’ve been blessed. And if the work I’ve done has entertained people that makes me happy.’

 

The Mirror met Miriam at her home for her interview. The interview was a promotional for Miriam’s current project, ITV2’sAncient Rome-set comedy, Plebs. Miriam talked about why she took certain acting jobs over others and the importance of friends in her career.  The Mirror reports:

 

‘I turn down all sorts of jobs because I don’t want to waffle on about b*****ks. But I took Plebs because they film it in Bulgaria, a fascinating place. I take any job abroad because I love to travel.’

Indeed, earlier this year Miriam was in Jaipur, India, where she filmed the BBC’s Real Marigold Hotel with seven fellow well-known pensioners.

It was hugely popular and more episodes are planned later this year. ‘I loved the experience so much I would have paid them to take me,’ she says. ‘We all email each other and meet up, it’s like we are eight new, old friends, it’s lovely.’

‘There is this huge sadness to losing your friends – people you have loved and imagined would always know, then leave your life. That’s the saddest part. I’m not someone who believes old age is a blessing – b*****ks! – it’s f***ing awful and you get through it as best you can.’

 

Miriam says she used to enjoy parties, but has now grown to old for them and prefers small social gatherings. However, she will make an exception for Prince Charles. The Mirror said:

 

One party she did enjoy was at Sandringham, when she was invited by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall a few years back. ‘It was terrific! I’m a socialist but I am very much in favour of them. He’s a terrific bloke and we had a huge laugh. I’m so glad he’s found happiness with this lady who he should have married first time around.’

 

Miriam went on to discuss living with no regrets, embarrassing topics she doesn’t mind talking about on talk shows, what embarrasses her, and more. The original article, pictures of Miriam throughout her acting career, and video clips can be seen here.





The Leaky Cauldron is not associated with J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., or any of the individuals or companies associated with producing and publishing Harry Potter books and films.