Who is Tamzin Outhwaite? Tamzin Maria Outhwaite, born on November 5, 1970, in Ilford, Essex, is a celebrated English actress, presenter, and narrator. Best known for her role as Mel Owen in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, Tamzin has made significant contributions to both theatre and television. Her career began with theatre roles in Grease and Oliver, eventually leading to her breakthrough on EastEnders in 1998. Beyond acting, she is a philanthropist, founder of We Free Women, and a wellness advocate. Tamzin's life is a blend of professional success, personal resilience, and a commitment to empowering others.
Key Takeaways:
- Tamzin Outhwaite's journey from EastEnders to philanthropy showcases her diverse talents and commitment to supporting charitable causes, inspiring others to make a positive impact in the world.
- With a passion for acting and wellness, Tamzin Outhwaite emphasizes the importance of self-care, beauty routines, and menopause representation, encouraging others to prioritize their health and embrace their unique experiences.
Early Life and Family
Tamzin Outhwaite's journey began in Ilford, Essex, where she was born into a family with a rich cultural heritage.
- Early Life: Born on November 5, 1970, to Anna (née Santi) and Colin Frank Outhwaite, Tamzin's roots are a blend of English and Italian.
- Italian Heritage: Her maternal great-grandfather Adelmo Santi and his eldest son Pietro Santi were born in Barga, Italy, and became naturalized British citizens in 1957.
- Siblings: Tamzin has two younger brothers, Kes and Jake. Kes is also an actress known for her roles in popular British television series.
Education and Theatre Beginnings
Tamzin's passion for acting was evident from a young age, leading her to pursue formal training in drama and dance.
- Education: She attended Trinity Catholic High School in Woodford Green and studied part-time at Sylvia Young Theatre School.
- Drama and Dance: After leaving school in 1987, she joined the London Studio Centre to study drama and dance.
- Stagestruck Theatre Company: During her teenage years, she was part of the Stagestruck Theatre Company, participating in several productions in the mid-1980s.
Breakthrough in Television
Tamzin's big break came with her role in the iconic BBC soap opera EastEnders.
- Early Career: After graduating, she began her career in theatre with roles in productions like Grease and Oliver.
- Television Debut: She landed bit parts in television series like The Bill and Men Behaving Badly.
- Breakthrough Role: Tamzin found national fame in 1998 when she was cast as Mel Healy in EastEnders.
EastEnders Legacy
Her time on EastEnders solidified her status as a household name in British television.
- First Appearance: Her first appearance aired in October 1998.
- Final Appearance: Her initial run ended in April 2002.
- Central Storylines: During her nearly four years in Walford, her character was central to many storylines.
- Return to EastEnders: In 2017, she returned to the show, departing again in November 2019 when her character was killed off.
Theatre and Film
Tamzin's versatility extends beyond television, with notable roles in theatre and film.
- Theatre Work: In 2007, she appeared in a revival of Boeing Boeing at the Comedy Theatre.
- Film Role: She also starred in the film Cassandra's Dream, which premiered in June 2007.
Diverse Television Roles
Tamzin has showcased her talent in various television genres, from drama to sci-fi.
- The Fixer: In March 2008, she had a role in the ITV drama series The Fixer.
- Paradox: In 2009, she played the lead in the sci-fi crime series Paradox for the BBC.
- Talent Show Judge: In 2010, she appeared in Over the Rainbow, a talent show casting for Andrew Lloyd Webber's stage production of The Wizard of Oz.
New Tricks and Beyond
Tamzin continued to captivate audiences with her role in the comedy-drama series New Tricks.
- New Tricks: In July 2013, she joined the cast of New Tricks as DCI Sasha Miller.
- Guest Appearance: She had earlier appeared in series 9, episode 6 of the show as a different character.
Recent Projects
Tamzin remains active in the industry, taking on new and exciting projects.
- How the Other Half Loves: In March 2016, she was cast in a revival of Alan Ayckbourn’s How the Other Half Loves.
- Dateline Introductory Segments: She has done introductory segments of true crime episodes of NBC’s Dateline for British television audiences.
- Dun Breedin: In May 2020, she played Indie Hendricks in Dun Breedin, a project about women going through menopause during lockdown.
Reality TV and Personal Life
Tamzin's personal life and reality TV appearances have also kept her in the public eye.
- The Masked Dancer: In 2021, she appeared on The Masked Dancer, masked as Scarecrow, finishing in fourth place.
- Personal Life: Tamzin resides in London. From 2006 to 2014, she was married to Welsh actor Tom Ellis, with whom she has two daughters.
- Stepfather Relationship: Despite the divorce, Tom Ellis has maintained a strong relationship with Tamzin’s daughters.
Philanthropy and Social Impact
Tamzin's contributions extend beyond acting, as she actively supports various charitable causes.
- Philanthropy: She actively supports and raises awareness for various charitable causes, including children’s charities and organizations dedicated to helping the homeless.
- We Free Women: Tamzin is the founder of We Free Women, a not-for-profit organization providing free wellbeing resources and fully funded health and wellbeing retreats to women in need.
Wellness and Self-Care
Tamzin emphasizes the importance of self-care and wellness in her daily routine.
- Beauty Philosophy: She advocates for making self-care a priority, even when juggling a busy schedule.
- Cold Therapy: One of her self-care practices is cold therapy, incorporating an ice-cold shower blast daily.
- Heat Therapy: She also adores heat therapy and owns a tiny infrared sauna.
- Collagen Supplements: Collagen supplements are another essential part of her routine.
Beauty and Haircare
Tamzin's beauty and haircare routines reflect her commitment to self-care.
- Beauty Products: L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil and Neal’s Yard Women’s Balance Body Cream are staples she can’t live without.
- Morpheus 8 Treatment: She has tried various treatments, with Morpheus 8 being one she’d repeat.
- Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream: Nostalgia strikes a chord when she recalls the Elizabeth Arden Eight-Hour Cream Skin Protectant.
- Haircare Routine: Her haircare routine involves sharing Dr Paw Paw 7-in-1 Does It All Hair Treatment with her youngest child.
Menopause and Representation
Tamzin has been open about her experiences with menopause and advocates for better representation.
- Menopause Representation: She believes that women going through menopause can still be sexy and very funny.
- Menopausal Symptoms: Despite her mother’s experience of minimal menopausal symptoms, Tamzin has noticed insomnia as one of her main symptoms.
Diet and Lifestyle
Tamzin's diet and lifestyle choices contribute to her overall wellbeing.
- Plant-Based Diet: She feels her best when she eats a plant-based diet, ditches alcohol and dairy, and regularly does yoga.
- Self-Care Practices: Tamzin emphasizes the importance of self-care, even when juggling a busy schedule.
Tamzin Outhwaite: A Multifaceted Talent
Tamzin Outhwaite is more than just an actress. Her journey from EastEnders to various theatre roles and TV shows showcases her versatility. Beyond acting, she's a dedicated philanthropist, supporting numerous causes and empowering women through her organization, We Free Women. Tamzin's commitment to self-care and wellness, including her unique beauty and health routines, highlights her holistic approach to life. Her openness about menopause and its representation in media brings much-needed awareness to the topic. Tamzin's personal life, including her strong family bonds and positive co-parenting relationship with Tom Ellis, adds another layer to her inspiring story. With a career spanning decades and a genuine dedication to making a difference, Tamzin Outhwaite remains a remarkable figure in the entertainment industry and beyond.
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