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Born in Birmingham, England, on February 22, 1950, Walters studied nursing at Manchester Polytechnic, but changed to theatre in her second year. Making friends with fellow student Pete Postlethwaite, they joined a small theatre group (including TV presenter Matthew Kelly). Walters also launched into standup comedy and improv, then in 1980, she was cast in the title role of Willy Russell's play Educating Rita. Walters won rave reviews and it was only natural she was cast in the film version opposite Michael Caine, The movie was a worldwide hit, Walters was nominated for an Academy Award and won a Golden Globe and a BAFTA. Hollywood beckoned but Walters continued working in Britain, mainly in TV. Her major screen success wouldn't arrive until 2000, when she played dance instructor Mrs. Wilkinson in the international hit Billy Elliot, winning her a second Oscar nomination. In 1999 she was made an OBE.
