The entertainment industry has been the home of many beloved fixtures on screens.

These talented artists have captivated audiences with their unique traits throughout their careers.

An industry veteran of the same calibre recently went public about her thoughts throughout her life and career that spanned five decades.


Dame Joanna Lumley has charmed fans and audiences with her wit and unmistakable style.

From her early days as a Bond girl to her iconic turn as Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous, Joanna became a household name not just in the United Kingdom but also in Australia.

As she celebrated her 79th birthday last 1 May, the legendary actress made a candid admission that moved and inspired fans.

In a heartfelt interview with Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2, Joanna opened up about the passage of time and what it means to live.


'As you near the top of the hill, you suddenly think, "Gosh, there's not all that much time left,"' Joanna shared.

'My time must be coming quite soon, and I don't want to have wasted a minute of being on this beautiful planet.'

'I used to panic when I was young, but as I've got older, I've started to live day to day,' she added.

'With age, you work out what matters. I always knew that good stuff would come along when I was older.'


Far from being fearful of growing older, Dame Joanna Lumley eventually embraced it with optimism.

'When I was 18, I longed to be 30. When I was 30, I longed to be 50. We must not be led into thinking getting old is bad,' Joanna shared.

'Growing old is good.'

Despite her seemingly boundless energy, Dame Joanna Lumley had her share of health challenges.

She revealed that she lives with Prosopagnosia, also known as face blindness.

'I've got this weird thing with faces, I've got a face blindness. It's called Prosopagnosia,' she shared.

'I have to know who people are, I have to know in advance. I always say, "Please tell me who's going to be there," then I can match the name to the thing.

Joanna also spoke about her 'love' of smoking.

'I am unbelievably fit. Despite, or probably because of smoking, I am never ill,' she jokingly shared.


Joanna's career was a testament to her making the most of every moment.

After being turned away from drama school as a teenager, she began her career as a model in London's Swinging Sixties.

She then landed her first major film role in the 1969 James Bond classic, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

She went on to star as Purdey in The New Avengers in the 1970s.

In the 1990s, she then cemented her legacy as she played Patsy Stone in Absolutely Fabulous.

Fast forward to the present, Dame Joanna Lumley is set to appear in the highly anticipated second season of the Netflix series Wednesday.

During her appearance at the SANDS International Film Festival, she stated that she'll keep working 'as long as she can speak'.

'In the past, women like me would have been sidelined at 38, but now there are lead parts for people in their 50s and big parts for those in their 70s,' Joanna emphasised as she observed changes in the entertainment industry.

Dame Joanna Lumley's honesty about her future should be a reminder to live life to the fullest—no matter the age.
Has your perspective on life changed as you got older? What advice would you give to others about making the most of every day? What do you think of Dame Joanna Lumley's story? We would love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments section below!