Helena Bonham Carter's Impressive Career in Photos (2024)

Helena Bonham Carter was born into an upper-class family in London in 1966. The great-granddaughter of Britain's former Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith and the granddaughter of a Baroness, she grew up with her parents and two brothers.

Carter demonstrated a love of acting from an early age and began modeling as a teenager to break into the industry. At the age of 16, she landed her first television commercial and the following year she made her on-screen debut in a TV movie.

With practically no prior experience, Carter was cast in her first major film in 1985. Her role in A Room With a View was minor, playing Judi Dench's charge, Lucy Honeychurch, but she costarred amongst incredibly talented actors, including Daniel Day-Lewis and Maggie Smith.

In 1986, Carter landed her first leading role in the film Lady Jane. The British actress portrayed Lady Jane Grey in the medieval period film and costarred alongside Cary Elwes, who portrayed Guilford Dudley.

Carter appeared had a multi-episode guest star role on the hit show Miami Vice in the late '80s. Here, she's pictured on set with the show's star, Don Johnson.

As evidence of Carter's rising stardom, the young actress was asked to present at the 1987 Academy Awards. Her presenting partner at the show? None other than Matthew Broderick.

A young Carter attends the Cannes Film Festival in a printed jean jacket and cropped pants. The actress attended the festival to promote La maschera, an Italian romance film she starred in that year.

Carter wears a corseted dress made from a dark green velvet to the premiere of Hamlet in 1990. The actress played Ophelia and joined actors Glenn Close and Mel Gibson in the film.

By the early '90s, Carter was well on her way to making her mark on Hollywood. She earned critical acclaim and a BAFTA nomination for her role in Howards End. Here, the actress is seen in the film with costar Emma Thompson.

Carter made her first appearance on Jay Leno's talk show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, in 1992. She must have been a good guest, as the actress returned many times.

By the mid-'90s, Carter had starred in successful films like Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and Twelfth Night or What You Will. However, the actress was tired of being typecast in English Edwardian period movies. Out of frustration, she famously said, "I should get a few ribs taken out, because I'll be in a corset the rest of my life."

After meeting on the set of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Carter began dating British actor Kenneth Branagh. The couple went public with their relationship following Branagh's split from his wife, Emma Thompson, and rumors swirled that the two had an affair on set.

While she had to wear another corset in The Wings of the Dove, Carter earned high praise for her role. The actress received both a BAFTA nomination, as well as a Best Actress Academy Awards nod.

Carter poses with the golden statuette as she attends the nominee luncheon for the 1998 Academy Awards. The actress wore a pink patterned slip dress, paired with Mary Jane shoes and a cardigan.

Carter joins fellow British actress and Best Actress nominee, Kate Winslet, for a photograph on the red carpet at the 1998 Academy Awards. Winslet was nominated for her role in Titanic, however the award went to As Good as It Gets actress, Helen Hunt.

After four years together, Carter and Branagh announced their split in 1999. The couple remained on good terms, even working together again in 2015 on Cinderella. Branagh would marry his current wife, Lindsay Brunnock, three years later.

Carter broke out of the corset mold when she landed a part in Fight Club. Here, the actress arrives at the premiere in a red sleeveless top and printed maxi skirt.

Carter continued to land quirky, oddball roles into the early 2000s. Here, she acts in Novocaine alongside costar Steve Martin.

Carter starred in the 2001 film, Planet of the Apes, which was directed by Tim Burton. Reportedly, Carter and Burton had a connection on set and rumors flew that they were together, despite Burton being involved with actress Lisa Marie (right).

The couple announced their relationship shortly after the film was released. Here, the director and actress attend a premiere together in 2002.