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"I have to struggle to change people's perceptions of me. I grew very frustrated with the perception that I'm this shy, retiring, inhibited aristocratic creature when I'm absolutely not like that at all. I think I'm much more outgoing and exuberant than my image." Helena Bonham Carter may be a lot of things, but shy probably isn't one of them. She has taken on some of the most unique and interesting roles throughout her time on stage and screen, and is never afraid to accept a challenging role that may be dark or unexpected. Some of that is based on her marriage to Tim Burton, who typically directs these types of films. But where did Bonham Carter get her start, and what's she planning to do next? Read on to find out what's happening with Helena.

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Starting Out in London Society

Bonham Carter was born in England, and grew up there, as well. Her father was a merchant banker and her mother was a psychotherapist. She has two older brothers, Thomas and Edward. She attended South Hampstead High School and then attended Westminster School. Bonham Carter applied for admission to King's College, Cambridge but was denied. It was believed she wouldn't complete her studies there, and that she would leave to pursue acting, instead. Her acting debut came in a TV commercial when she was 16, and she has no formal training to be an actor. It has come naturally to her, and she studies movements, psychological motivations, and other areas where a character's intent and mannerisms may be important to proper role portrayal.

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Her first leading role was that of Lady Jane Grey in the film Lady Jane (1986). She received mixed reviews for her performance there. Then she played Lucy Honeychurch in A Room with a View (1985). That film was released before Lady Jane, even though it was filmed after it. Bonham Carter has appeared in Miami Vice, A Hazard of Hearts, The Vision, and Getting it Right, among other roles. She often played characters that were pre- or early 20th Century, which gave her high praise from critics but also got her somewhat branded as an actress who only took on those types of roles. While that was not the case, it was clear that she needed to do something to adjust her image somewhat, allowing her to break out of the box critics were putting her in.

Moving to a New Relationship and Into More Films

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Through her relationship with Tim Burton, who she later married, Bonham Carter started taking on roles that were less like what she had played in before. She took roles in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, (2005), Corpse Bride (2005), Sweeney Todd (2007), and Alice in Wonderland (2010). Burton's dark, yet whimsical style worked well with Bonham Carter's acting abilities, allowing her to really stand out in the roles she played in his movies. She has received a number of awards for her acting and the roles she has played. Her relationship with Burton also worked well off the screen, as they married and had two children together. But Bonham Carter is more than just an actress and a mother. She has also expressed interest in other types of pursuits.

She has said, "I drink booze, I smoke, and I'm hooked on caffeine. I actually have been known to swear at times and belch and even raise my voice when provoked. And I'm not physically repressed!" People see her as delicate and shy, but she's really not like that. Her acting roles have shown that, but she's also turned her attention to other creative endeavors. She launched a fashion line called The Pantaloonies, and has been on the jury at the Cannes Film Festival. She supports charities, and has been noticed for her eccentric fashion sense. Bonham Carter has been named to best-dressed lists. In 2008, she tragically lost four of her family members at once, in a bus crash in South Africa when they were on a safari vacation. She took a break from film for several months.

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But where is Bonham Carter headed now? It's clear that fans haven't seen the last of her. She continues to have roles in Burton's films, even though the couple has been divorced since 2014. and she continues to support charitable causes and work for the things she finds important. With all that Bonham Carter has to offer to the acting world, there's no doubt she will continue to do so. She lives in England, and had been an advocate for a particular charity that supports people with muscular dystrophy. Stay tuned to see what Bonham Carter plans to do next. It's sure to be interesting!