Actress
Zawe Ashton’s Parents and Siblings Lead a Low-Key Life
All about Zawe Ashton’s family!
Zawe Ashton is a British dramatist and actor. Her most well-known performances are from the Netflix horror movie Velvet Buzzsaw, the comedic drama Fresh Meat, and the 2011 film Dreams of a Life.
She recently appeared in The Marvels as Dar-Benn as well. Despite being active in the entertainment industry for over two decades, not much is known about her.
As a result, people are often questioning her about her family, including her parents and siblings. Zawe rarely talks about them, and her family also led a low-key life.
Here is all we know about it.
Zawe Ashton’s family — parents and siblings
Zawe was born on July 25, 1984, in Hackney, London. As a result, her nationality is English.
She was born to an English father, Paul Ashton, and a Ugandan mother, Victoria Ashton. She has two siblings — a brother Sam Ashton and a sister Amy Ashton.
Zawe’s maternal grandfather, Paulo Muwanga, served as Uganda’s president and then prime minister. Talking about her parents, the actress mentioned that they met at a Christmas Party.
She shared the story with The Guardian in 2016. Victoria came to England from Uganda when she was a teenager. She studied and grew up to teach design and technology.
At the same time, Zawe’s father, Paul, who was the first one from his family to go to university, was teaching English. Soon after the duo met, they started dating and fell in love.
Later, Paul retired as a teacher and then moved to Channel 4 to commission education programs for teachers. From 1983 to 1991, Paul was employed by the BBC as a television producer, principal assistant, and education officer.
Following that, he began an 11-year career as a school editor for Channel 4. A memoir-titled article was written by one of his coworkers.
Zawe Ashton’s family leads a low-key life. (Source: Twitter)
According to that article (via New Stars), Paul joined the channel in September 1991 and was its first school editor, according to the report. Under the Communications Act of 1990, the school broadcast was moved from ITV to Channel 4, where Paul and his deputy editor launched the new program.
In essence, they were permitted to spend the £10 million a year they received for school television. His employment came with a little feeling of glamour, a fat paycheck, and a sense of duty, knowing that he and his buddy were educating the country’s youth and giving educators the tools they needed to live more comfortable and satisfying lives.
For the benefit of educators and their pupils, they employed all television genres that inform, educate, and amuse the general public. Paul left to work on a post-commission project on new computer-based media for schools in the fall of 1999, and his friend filled his place.
Regardless, they continued to collaborate and work together. Zawe’s father also worked as the editor-in-chief of Teachers TV.
Zawe and her siblings were raised in London with their family, where they went to a local state school. Not much is known about her siblings.
It is reported that her brother, Sam, was employed as an illustrator and graphic artist. Amy, her sister, has kept her life private and hasn’t disclosed any personal information, therefore, nothing is known about her.
Zawe started acting from a very young age and was supported by her family. She was a member of the National Youth Theatre and started attending the Anna Scher Theatre School when she was six years old.
She attended Manchester Metropolitan University to earn her degree in acting. Zawe was going through a difficult time when she initially entered the acting industry.
She had to postpone her studies in order to care for her mother, who had cancer. Fortunately, her mother fully recovered, and she gives her parents a lot of credit for inspiring a lot of her work.
They are Zawe’s “favorite double act” in comedy, she told The Guardian, adding that her father is a “brilliant writer” who encouraged her to pursue playwriting.
Zawe Ashton’s career in acting and writing
Zawe started her career in acting in the late 90s and is active to date. Regarding acting, she works actively in Broadway, television series, and movies.
Her Broadway credits include Harold Pinter’s Betrayal at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London and the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre in New York. She has also worked on Othello and Frontline at the Globe Theatre, All The Little Things We Crushed at Almeida, This Wide Night at Soho Theatre, Michael Frayn’s comedy Here at Royal Court, Abi Morgan’s Splendour at Donmar Warehouse, Jean Genet’s The Maids at Trafalgar Studios, and Salome at Headlong Theatre / Hampstead Theatre.
Zawe won second place in the Ian Charleson Awards for her classical performance in Salome in June 2010.
Her television credits include Journey Blue in Doctor Who, Vod in the Channel 4 comedy Fresh Meat, Claire in the six-part BBC One / Netflix series Wanderlust; and Katherine in the Channel 4 series Not Safe For Work.
She made two appearances in The Demon Headmaster as a kid. All in all, she has worked in 21 TV shows to date.
Zawe has worked on 11 movies to date. Some of her film credits include Velvet Buzzsaw, Dreams of a Life, directed by Carol Morley, for which she was nominated in the Most Promising Newcomer category at the 2012 British Independent Film Awards, St. Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold, Blitz, Nocturnal Animals, directed by Tom Ford, and Greta.
In February 2021, it was revealed that she would portray a villain in The Marvels. The movie was released on November 10, 2023, where she played the role of Dar-Benn, a Kree warrior revolutionary wielding an Accuser’s hammer and an identical bangle to Kamala Khan or Ms. Marvel.
In 2016 and 2017, Zawe provided the narration for thirteen episodes of Channel 4’s 24 Hours in Police Custody. In 2017, she provided the narration for the same channel’s documentary Public Enemies: Jay-Z vs. Kanye.
In collaboration with Arts Council England, Zawe hosted the third season of Channel 4’s short film exhibition, Random Acts, in 2017.
The Young Hollywood Issue of Nylon magazine featured the actress as one of the “55 faces of the future” in May 2010. She received the “Ultimate Newcomer” prize from Cosmopolitan magazine during their Women of the Year celebration in October 2012.
For her performance as Vod in the BAFcTA-nominated Channel 4 blockbuster Fresh Meat, Zawe won the Creative Diversity Network Award for Best Breakthrough On-Screen Talent in November 2012. For her leading part in Dreams of a Life, she was honored with a 2013 Screen Nation Award for Female Performance in a Film 2012/2013.
Zawe is not only an actress but also a writer.
At the age of seventeen, she started competing in poetry slams. In 2000, she won the London Poetry Slam Championship.
She was the Manchester Contact Theatre’s Young Writer in Residence in 2006. Her debut play, Harm’s Way, had its premiere at the Lowry in Salford in 2008 as part of the National Youth Theatre’s new writing season after being shortlisted for the Verity Bargate Award in 2007.
Her previous piece She from the Sea was presented in 2010 at the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT), and Skunk was presented by the National Youth Theatre and Soho Theatre. Zawe co-wrote the Bush Futures Program’s Sudden Loss of Dignity website.
For All the Women Who Thought They Were Mad, one of her plays was chosen to participate in the 2009 Royal Court Playwriting Festival. Zawe wrote a portion of The Children’s Monologues, which Dramatic Need performed in 2010 and which was adapted from more than 300 original stories written by Tswana, Zulu, and Sesotho children in South Africa.
She has performed with both the Clean Break theatrical group and the Bush theatrical. Character Breakdown, a fictionalized memoir based on Zawe’s experiences as an actor, was released in 2019 as her debut book.
In July 2021, she was chosen to become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Actress
Edie Falco Reveals Her Kids Are Immune to ‘The Sopranos’ Fever
Edie Falco is a wonderful mother to her two adoptive kids, Anderson and Macy.
The acclaimed American actress Edie Falco is celebrated for her iconic roles in The Sopranos and Nurse Jackie. While her on-screen personas have captivated audiences worldwide, her real-life role as a mother of her two children remains equally remarkable.
In a recent interview, she humorously disclosed that her kids have surprisingly remained immune to the The Sopranos phenomenon that catapulted her to stardom.
This revelation has piqued their curiosity, prompting an exploration into the dynamics of her family life and her children’s indifference towards one of television’s most celebrated shows.
Edie Falce revealed that her kids don’t watch ‘The Sopranos’
Falco has revealed a surprising fact about her kids’ viewing habits. Despite her immense success and the show’s cultural impact, her two adopted children have shown no interest in watching the acclaimed drama that brought their mother critical acclaim and fame.
In a recent interview at the Garden of Laughs event in New York City, the 60-year-old actress admitted that her kids are “so over it” regarding The Sopranos.
She also shared that neither of her children has ever seen the show, seemingly unfazed by the cultural phenomenon that their mother was a part of.
Edie Falco with her teenagers (Source: Daily Mail)
While her kids may not appreciate her acting prowess in The Sopranos, Falco revealed that they enjoy the perks of having a famous mother.
She explained that her children are more impressed with the privileges and opportunities available due to her celebrity status rather than her actual work on the screen.
Despite her kids’ indifference towards The Sopranos, Falco remains hopeful that they may eventually develop an appreciation for the show that catapulted her to stardom.
Meet Edie Falco’s two kids
Falco is a proud mother of two adopted children – her son Anderson and daughter Macy. She became a first-time mom when she adopted her son Anderson in 2005.
From an early age, she was open with him about his adoption, making sure the topic was discussed openly in their household.
Then, three years after adopting Anderson, Falco welcomed her daughter Macy into her family in 2008 as an infant. Like her brother, Macy was raised with open conversations about her adoption story.
Now a teenager, Falco has experienced the typical parent-child dynamic shift as her kids have grown more independent and distant, something she humorously acknowledges as a sign of good parenting.
In her pre-teen years, Falco has described Macy as a “wise guy” who, along with her brother, has started to exhibit typical rebellious teenage behavior towards her mom.
While admitting she doesn’t enjoy this new phase, Falco recognizes it as a natural part of their development.
Edie Falco on why she decided on parenting
Falco’s decision to become a parent through adoption was a deeply personal and thoughtful one. Despite her successful acting career, she felt a strong calling to start a family and raise children.
In her own words, she knew there came a certain point in her life when it was simply “time to raise kids.” This realization came after going through a few serious relationships that didn’t work out but left her with a lingering desire for motherhood.
As she reflected, even though those relationships ended, her yearning to have children remained alive.
Edie Falco with her son Anderson and daughter Macy (Source: The List)
After overcoming breast cancer, she viewed it as a pivotal moment to pursue parenthood. At 40 years old and single, she didn’t want to let her marital status deter her from experiencing motherhood.
With a pragmatic outlook, she decided not to wait for a partner, figuring that aspect of her life could unfold naturally later on. Her clarity on wanting kids surpassed her need for a romantic relationship then.
The idea of adoption resonated with Falco, allowing her to fulfill her dream of raising children on her terms. She embraced the adoption process wholeheartedly, recognizing it as the right path to building her family.
Edie Falco mourns the end of her time parenting little kids
Falco’s journey into motherhood has been filled with immense joy and love. Still, she also openly acknowledges the bittersweet reality of watching her children grow up too quickly.
As her son Anderson, 19, and daughter Macy, 16, have transitioned from little kids into teenagers, she has experienced a sense of mourning for that fleeting stage of early parenthood.
In her candid words, Falco equates the departure of those precious little years to a profound “death” – an emotional farewell to a chapter that can never be relived.
She reminisces the irreplaceable moments of having her young children fall asleep peacefully on her lap, emanating an overwhelming and pure love that only a parent can understand.
Edie Falco with her kids when they were younger (Source: Pinterest)
While undoubtedly proud to see her kids blossom into their individuals, Falco can’t help but feel nostalgic about those delicate early memories gradually fading into the past.
She laments how quickly that blissful phase evaporated, now only preserved through photographs and videos on her phone – frozen moments in time that can never be recreated.
Even as exciting new phases begin, there is an inherent mourning for what has been left behind – the tender, all-consuming energies of nurturing little beings who once wholly depended on her care and presence.
Edie Falco’s kids often visit her on set
Falco has made a concerted effort to integrate her professional acting career with her role as a mother, frequently bringing her kids along to visit her on set while filming.
It has allowed her children, especially her daughter Macy, to be immersed in and gain an up-close understanding of the behind-the-scenes world their mom occupies.
In Falco’s own words, she loves having Macy run around the set, getting hands-on experience by giving treats to the cast and crew members.
Edie Falco with her daughter Macy (Source: POPSUGAR)
The young teen has even tried on vintage wardrobe pieces from various productions, delighting in dressing up as a “1950s little waitress” while accompanying her mom at work.
Beyond just observing, Macy has taken an active role in helping out on set in her little ways.
With one of Falco’s close friends working as a prop assistant, Macy has lent a hand with simple tasks like removing paper towels from prop items – a chance for her to feel involved and part of the action.
For Falco, this immersive experience serves a deeper purpose – she wants her daughter to grow up understanding and appreciating her work, demystifying the allure of her Hollywood career.
Actress
Melissa Gilbert Remembers Her ‘Father Figure’ Michael Landon
The actress talks about the influence Michael Landon had on her life.
Melissa Gilbert started her career as a child actor. She gained prominence at just 10 years of age, playing Laura Ingalls Wilder, the second oldest daughter of Charles Ingalls (played by Michael Landon) in the NBC series Little House on the Prairie.
The late actor and filmmaker Landon played the role of her father for nine years, and it turns out to have stemmed from personal relationships. In a recent interview with People, Gilbert talks about her special bond with the co-star.
The interview happened during the 50th anniversary celebration of Little House on the Prairie Cast Reunion and Festivals. Gilbert revealed that Landon was a father figure for not just her but the majority of the cast.
The Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion and Festival lasted three days (March 22, 23 & 24). It was an interactive experience and tour celebrating the TV series and providing fans with a unique opportunity.
“Michael Landon was like a father figure to many of us, obviously, and a very, very important influence in my life,” says Gilbert, explaining her own experiences in fatherhood.
She revealed that her father passed away when she was 11 years of age, and it was while working on the series. Therefore, the actress says Landon watched over her in a much more paternal way.
Gilbert added that they had become very close and that their family had also vacationed together. They also celebrated New Year’s together.
Landon seems to have tried to fill the void of Gilbert’s missing father, and the actress appreciates the effort. She remembers him to this date as a great man and a great father figure.
Melissa Gilbert remembers Michael Landon as a great person
Apart from being a great ‘father figure,’ Gilbert also reveals that Landon was special to other members of the cast as well. Landon was a very giving person and went above and beyond for people close to him.
Gilbert remembers Landon giving amazing presents to his cast members. He would also announce the Rose Parade for NBC for free, and instead of the money, he would give Christmas gifts to the cast.
Melissa Gilbert with Michael Landon on ‘Little House on the Prairie’ (Source: PanCAN)
Not only that, but Gilbert also contributes to the success of the program for Landon. She says, “It blows my mind that all of this is because of him. These people are here because he wrote this show and directed it and produced it, and I know that he would be incredibly proud if he could see this.”
Unfortunately, the actor died in 1991 due to pancreatic cancer. She ended the interview by saying, “This is a legacy. A hundred percent.”
Although it’s been 50 years since the release of Little House on the Prairie, the show and its cast are equally famous. The show started in 1974 with popular main cast members like Landon, Gilbert, Melissa Sue Anderson, Sidney Greenbush, and Dean Butler.
Back in 2022, Gilbert remembered the actor on the occasion of the 31st anniversary of his death. She wrote a heartfelt essay through PanCAN, which is a charity fund for people affected by the disease.
“Today I am missing my mentor, my acting partner, my favorite director, father figure, friend, and boss. Today I am missing my Pa. Today I am missing Michael Landon. So much so, that I can feel it in my chest, in my heart. I am aching for him,” she says.
All About Michael Landon
Gilbert’s ‘father figure’ Landon was an American actor and filmmaker who is known for his role in the hit series Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Highway to Heaven.
He was born on October 31, 1936, as Eugene Maurice Orowitz in Forest Hills, New York. He was the son of Peggy and Eli Maurice Orowitz. His father was Jewish, and his mother was Roman Catholic who used to be a professional comedian.
Landon’s childhood was marked by challenges, including his mother’s suicide attempts, which led to stress-related issues such as bedwetting. He attended Collingswood High School in New Jersey and showed talent in javelin throwing.
Michael Landon with his wife and kids (Source: Wide Open Country)
Despite initially pursuing athletics with a scholarship offer from the University of Southern California, Landon shifted towards show business after a shoulder injury ended his athletic career. He then began appearing in various television shows and movies, gradually building his acting career.
He then gained huge recognition through his role in the series Bonanza, where he was also a writer and director. After his role in the series, he went on to appear as the main cast of the series The Little House on the Prairie, where he is also the executive producer, director, and writer.
During his lifetime, the actor has been married three times and also has 9 children. Among his children, 5 of his children are active in the entertainment industry; Mark Fraser Landon, Leslie Ann Landon, Michael Landon Jr., Christopher Beau Landon, and Jennifer Rachel Landon.
Landon suffered a severe headache during a skiing vacation in 1991. After the checkup, he was diagnosed with a severe form of pancreatic cancer known as exocrine adenocarcinoma.
He did several surgeries and procedures during that time, but his disease was terminal. He passed away on July 1 at the age of 54 years, in his Malibu house at 1:20 pm with his wife at his bedside.
Actress
Josie Totah Has Plans for Roles beyond LGBTQ+ Characters
The actress states she is inspired by stories, not characters.
Josie Totah played the leading role of Mabel Emsworth in the 2023 historical series The Buccaneers. In this series, her character falls in love with a woman named Honoria Marable (portrayed by Mia Threapleton).
The American actress has openly come out as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and is transgender. Due to her sexuality and her portrayal of similar roles in various movies and TV shows, people have been wondering if she will take on similar roles in the future.
However, this does not seem to be the case for the actress, as she has firmly mentioned she is open to any role as she is an actress first. She attended the 2024 SCAD TVFest in Atlanta in February and mentioned her plans to work in various roles with people.
Josie Totah receives the ‘SCAD TVFest Rising Star Award’ (Source: Instagram)
In the interview, she mentioned that she is willing to take on various roles as she follows the story. She expresses her wishes to work as an actor and to uplift storytellers whom she fancies and tells stories that need to be said.
Totah wore an all-black outfit with white detailings at the event and was one of the nominees. She received the SCAD TVFest Rising Star Award at the event.
This enthusiastic actress has been working in the entertainment industry since 2012 but recently gained prominence due to her leading roles in several movies and TV shows. Her role in the 2021 movie Moxie was well-received by critics and the public.
Josie Totah came out as a transgender person in 2018
Although many suspected Totah to be gay as she hadn’t transitioned yet and appeared in many productions as J.J. Totah. She made herself publicly known as a trans-woman in 2018, exclusively through the Time Magazine.
She started her interview by stating she was always grateful to get roles in great projects like The Champions. However, she always felt she let herself shoved into a box as J.J. Totah, a gay boy.
Ever since Totah was a child, the people around her always viewed her as gay, as she was a bit different from others. Not only that, even the entertainment industry gave her that image due to the roles she played.
She also revealed that many reporters asked her what it was like being a gay young man, and many were already quick to assume the same. The actress also clarified being a member of the LGBTQ+ community before, but it only led to more people thinking she’s gay.
Therefore, the actress made a very bold decision to be free and let everyone know her natural sexuality. Despite what she might be hearing, support, or hate, she outed herself as Josie Totah, a trans-woman.
Totah identifies as a female and uses the pronoun she/her/hers. In a very heartfelt letter, she also says this is not something that happened out of the blue nor the choice she made.
The actress found out about her sexuality at the young age of 14 while watching the series I Am Jazz with her mother. In the middle of the show, she revealed to have yelled at her mother, saying this is what I have to do (while watching Jazz Jennings going through a medical transition).
This revelation might not have been easy, but it sure helped that her mother was super supportive from the start. Therefore, at 14, she started taking hormone blockers.
During the initial stages of transition, Totah was in constant fear of society as well as the effect of male hormones on her body. She was also scared about the identity documents and how people would see her.
However, the actress has had many reassurances in her life. She felt delighted hearing Josie from friends and family, and it was a process of healing and better understanding herself.
She wraps up her heartfelt note, stating, “This week, I’m going off to college. I’m also going to continue my acting career, and I am so excited to do both things myself. I plan to play roles I haven’t had the opportunity to play. And I can only imagine how much more fun it’s going to be to play someone who shares my identity, rather than having to contort myself to play a boy. I’m going to gun for those roles, be it a transgender female or a cisgender female. Because it’s a clean slate — and a new world.”
Josie Totah’s advancements in roles
Totah played the role of a boy in several movies and TV shows until 2018, including Glee, Champions, and Spider-Man: Homecoming. After she came out to the world in 2018, her first project was the American comedy series The Other Two, in which she played the role of Elijah.
Josie Totah poses for Galore (Source: Instagram)
In the same year, she played the role of Lisa Haddad in four episodes of the American comedy No Good Nick. The actress started playing female roles actively and got her first leading role in the sitcom Saved by the Bell, where she portrayed the role of Lexi Haddad-DeFabrizio.
She went on to appear as CJ in the 2021 movie Moxie and played minor roles in some series, like Human Resources and Mr Mayor. Her most recent work is in the historical series The Buccaneers, which has increased her fame to the next level.
Totah has active plans to stay in the entertainment industry and is also set to appear in the upcoming horror movie Faces of Death. We hope she gets to play more dynamic roles in the future as she hopes to get.
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