Helena Bonham Carter (born 26 May 1966, London, England) is a British film, television and theatre actress. She is known for her distinctive acting style, unconventional role choices and versatile performances. Throughout her career, she has delivered compelling performances in both independent productions and major box-office films.

Helena Bonham Carter belongs to one of England’s prominent political and aristocratic families. Her father, Raymond Bonham Carter, was a banker and politician; her mother, Elena Propper de Callejón, is a psychotherapist. Bonham Carter received her education at Westminster School and later applied to the University of Cambridge but decided not to pursue an academic career in order to focus on acting.

Bonham Carter began her acting career in 1983 with the television production A Pattern of Roses. She gained international recognition for her role as Lucy Honeychurch in the 1985 film A Room with a View (Landscape View). During the 1990s and 2000s, she earned the title “queen of the costume drama” through her roles in British period dramas. However, she later broke from convention by becoming closely associated with eccentric and unconventional characters.

One of her most notable collaborations was her romantic relationship with director Tim Burton. Bonham Carter starred in several of Burton’s films and also had a romantic relationship with him during that period. Notable films they worked on together include Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), Corpse Bride (2005) and Alice in Wonderland (2010).

• Fight Club (1999) – Marla Singer
• The Wings of the Dove (1997) – Kate Croy (Oscar nomination)
• The King’s Speech (2010) – Queen Elizabeth (Oscar nomination)
• Harry Potter series (2007–2011) – Bellatrix Lestrange
• Les Misérables (2012) – Madame Thénardier
• Enola Holmes (2020, 2022) – Eudoria Holmes
• The Crown (Netflix series) – Princess Margaret (seasons 3 and 4)

Throughout her career, Helena Bonham Carter has been nominated for numerous prestigious awards including BAFTA, Oscar, Golden Globe and Emmy, and has won several accolades. In 2012 she was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Bonham Carter was in a relationship with director Tim Burton from 2001 to 2014. They have two children together: a son named Billy Raymond and a daughter named Nell Burton. She has frequently attracted media attention for her eccentric fashion style and candid remarks.