Marianne Jean-BaptisteCamberwell
 Born in Camberwell in 1967, Marianne Jean-Baptiste became a star overnight following the international success of the Mike Leigh film Secrets and Lies in 1996. She was the first black British actress to be nominated for an Oscar, (for Best Supporting Actress) and she received BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations for her performance – a measured, insightful portrayal of a young woman reunited with the biological mother who gave her up for adoption.
Classically trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, Marianne has performed at the National Theatre and recorded an album of blues songs. She also collaborated with Mike Leigh on stage in It's a Great Big Shame (1993) and composed the musical score for his 1997 film Career Girls.
In 1997 she led a blistering attack on racism within the British film industry, after being excluded from a group of young British actors invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cannes Film Festival.
Today, she splits her time between Los Angeles and London and appears in the US TV drama Without a Trace.
Celebrity support for Marianne Jean-Baptiste
 Film director Mike Leigh who worked with Marianne is supporting her nomination: "Southwark must be very proud of Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who is one of the UK's most talented, original and intelligent actors. She was brilliant in 'Secrets & Lies', and a joy to work with. No daughter of Southwark better deserves a blue plaque."
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