Patsy Kensit, born Patricia Jude Francis Kensit on March 4, 1968, in Lambeth, London, is an English actress, singer, and model.
Raised in Hounslow, London, Kensit grew up in a family with a complex background.
Her father, James Henry Kensit, was a known associate of notorious London gangsters, including the Kray Twins and the Richardson Gang, earning the nickname “Jimmy the Dip” and serving time in prison before her birth.
Her mother, Margaret Rose Kensit (née Doohan), was a former model and secretary at Dior who had previously dated Aga Khan IV. Kensit’s early life was marked by financial hardship, living on a council estate in Hounslow and sleeping on mattresses on the floor.
Despite these challenges, she pursued her passion for performing, attending Newland House School, St Catherine’s School in Twickenham, and the Corona Theatre School.
Kensit’s career spans over four decades, encompassing acting, music, and modeling, making her a prominent figure in British entertainment.
Siblings
Patsy has one sibling, an older brother named Jamie Kensit, born in 1963.
Jamie shares the same parents, James and Margaret Kensit, and grew up alongside Patsy in their challenging Hounslow council estate environment.
Unlike his sister, who pursued a high-profile career in acting and music, Jamie took a different path, becoming a musician.
In the early 1980s, he played a pivotal role in Patsy’s musical journey by helping to form the pop band Eighth Wonder, where she served as the lead singer.
Career
Kensit’s career began at the age of four with a television commercial for Birds Eye frozen peas, marking the start of her journey as a child actor.
Her first significant film role came in 1972 with For the Love of Ada, followed by a role as Mia Farrow’s daughter in The Great Gatsby (1974) at age six.
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Throughout the 1970s, she appeared in films such as Gold (1974), Alfie Darling (1975), The Blue Bird (1976) alongside Elizabeth Taylor, and Hanover Street (1979) with Harrison Ford.
Her early television work included roles in Great Expectations (1981) as Estella and The Adventures of Pollyanna (1982).
In 1983, Kensit ventured into music, joining her brother Jamie to form the pop band Eighth Wonder.
As the lead singer, she helped the band achieve success with singles like “I’m Not Scared” and “Cross My Heart,” both reaching the UK Top 40 before the group disbanded in 1989.
Her acting career surged with a breakthrough role as Suzette in the musical film Absolute Beginners (1986) and as Rika van den Haas in Lethal Weapon 2 (1989) opposite Mel Gibson.
The 1990s saw her star in films like Twenty-One (1991), Blame It on the Bellboy (1992), Angels & Insects (1995), and Grace of My Heart (1996).
Kensit returned to television in the 2000s, playing Sadie King in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale (2004–2006) and Faye Morton in the BBC’s Holby City (2007–2010, with a guest appearance in 2019).
In 2023, she portrayed Emma Harding in EastEnders, further cementing her presence in British television.
Kensit also competed on reality shows like Strictly Come Dancing (2004) and Celebrity Big Brother (2015), showcasing her versatility.
Accolades
In 1979, at age 11, Kensit was nominated for a Young Artist Award for Best Juvenile Actress in a Motion Picture for her role in Hanover Street.
In 1991, her performance in Twenty-One earned her a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead, highlighting her ability to deliver compelling performances in independent cinema.
Her role as Sadie King in Emmerdale garnered multiple nominations, reflecting her impact in television.
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