Leonie Mellinger (born 24 June 1959) is a British actress, author and communications skills coach.

Leonie Mellinger
Born (1959-06-24) 24 June 1959 (age 65)
Berlin, Germany
Alma materRoyal Central School of Speech and Drama
Occupation(s)Actor, Author, Communication Skills Coach
Years active1981–present
Spouses
(m. 1988; div. 1991)
Anthony Burton
(m. 1996)
Children1
RelativesWerner Scholem (grandfather)
Websitehttps://www.mellinger.co.uk/

Early life

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Mellinger was born in the British military hospital neighbouring Spandau Prison as her actor father was then working for Bertolt Brecht's theatre company (the Berliner Ensemble).[1] Her Jewish parents were childhood refugees from Nazi Germany; her grandfather was Werner Scholem, who was killed in Buchenwald.[1]

Career

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Mellinger trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama. Her acting debut was as Miriam in the 1981 BBC television serialisation of D.H. Lawrence's Sons and Lovers. In the television serial Small World (1988), based on the novel by David Lodge, she played a central double role portraying the twins Angelica and Lily. Her stage appearances with the Royal Shakespeare Company have included Lavinia in Titus Andronicus and Perdita in The Winter's Tale.

As well as acting, she teaches communication and personal impact skills at her own training company.

Personal life

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Mellinger married actor Robin Askwith in 1988, although they divorced in 1991.[2] She then married Anthony Burton in 1996 and the couple had a daughter, Aurelie, born the same year.

Filmography

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Film

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Year Film Role Notes
1981 Memoirs of a Survivor Emily Mary Cartwright
1983 Ghost Dance Marianne
1984 Memed, My Hawk Hatche
1984 Summer Lightning Louise St.Leger
1985 Zina German Stenographer
1988 Young Toscanini Comparsa
1992 Hostage Mrs. Mason

Television

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Year Film Role Notes
1981 Sons and Lovers Miriam Leivers 5 episodes
1983 Women Caroline Episode: "Whale Music"
1983 BBC Play of the Month Silvia Episode: "Infidelities"
1984 Mr. Palfrey of Westminster Melissa Conyers Episode: "The Honeypot and the Bees"
1985 Bergerac Terry Episode: "Off Shore Trades"
1986 Dead Head Angela Episode: "The Patriot"
1987 Paradise Postponed Francesca Simcox 3 episodes
1988 Hannay Lady Veronica Strickland Episode: "The Hazard of the Die"
1988 Small World Angelica / Lily 5 episodes
1989 The New Statesman Clarissa Episode: "May the Best Man Win"
1989 Pride and Extreme Prejudice Renate TV film
1990 Screen Two Claire Episode: "Children Crossing"
1990 Stay Lucky Louisa Episode: "Bigamy Blues"
1992 Maigret Yvonne Moncin Episode: "Maigret Sets a Trap"
1992 Lovejoy Marina Episode: "The Prague Sun"
1994 Wycliffe Polly Innes Episode: "The Tangled Web"
1998 The Bill Elena Episode: "Sale or Return: Part 2"

References

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  1. ^ a b Mellinger, Lonie (27 January 2018). "My family is Jewish. My penpal's has a Nazi past. Such is friendship". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
  2. ^ "Overseas Property: Confessions of a Gozo addict". 12 October 2003. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
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