Ashley Jensen Scottish actress Date of Birth: 11.08.1969 Country: Great Britain

1. Ashley Jensen - Scottish actress
2. Early Life and Education
3. Breakthrough and Awards
4. Later Career
5. Notable Works
6. Personal Life

Ashley Jensen - Scottish actress

Ashley Jensen, a Scottish actress, is best known for her roles in the TV series "Extras" and "Ugly Betty," for which she was nominated for an Emmy Award. She was born Ashley Samantha Jensen on August 11, 1969, in the Scottish town of Annan, to Margaret and Ivar Jensen. She grew up without her father and is reluctant to talk about him. In 2008, her father announced that Ashley has a half-sister whom she has never met.

Early Life and Education

Ashley attended Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh and received her first television role in the series "May to December." She played the eccentric secretary Rosie Maconochie in the final episodes, replacing another secretary named Hilary. In 1994, she portrayed Heather in the film "Roughnecks," a series about oil workers on a North Sea station. In 1996, Ashley played Claire Donnelly, the daughter of Glasgow gangster Jo-Jo Donnelly (played by Billy Connolly), in the BBC drama "Down Among the Big Boys." She also appeared as Fiona Morris in the melodrama "EastEnders."

Breakthrough and Awards

Ashley gained recognition for her role as socially awkward Maggie Jacobs in the series "Extras" alongside Ricky Gervais. She won the award for Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards in 2005 for this role. The following year, she received two more awards and a BAFTA nomination. Her role in the "Christmas Special" earned her a nomination for an Emmy Award in 2007.

Later Career

In January 2006, Jensen starred opposite Patrick Stewart in the short-lived series "Eleventh Hour" on ITV1. She later played the role of Agent Steve Kogan in the detective film "A Cock and Bull Story." In the same year, she joined the cast of "Ugly Betty" as Christina McKinney and continued filming until May 2009. Due to the production's relocation from Los Angeles to New York, Ashley decided to leave the series.

Notable Works

Among Ashley's numerous film credits, notable works include "Taking Liberties" (2007), where she provided voice-over narration, and "Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story" (2006). She is set to appear in the film "Nativity" as Jennifer Lore, scheduled for release by Christmas 2010.

Personal Life

After six months of living together, Ashley Jensen married English actor Terence Beesley on January 29, 2007, in California. The couple resides in Los Angeles but also has an apartment in Holland Park, London. They have a dog named Barney and were expecting their first child at the end of 2009.