Helen Mirrenis one of Hollywood’s crown jewels.

She also won an Olivier Award for the part (via theLos Angeles Times).

But even before that, Mirren was working at a surprising venue in the East of England.

Helen Mirren at Academy Awards

“It just meant that I shouted out rubbish to get people’s attention.”

“And they go, ‘What, what, did I park at the …

According to her boss at the time, Henri Grecourt, she was a “pretty good” smooth-talker.

Helen Mirren on the red carpet

“She wanted to experience the public,” he told theSouthend Echo.

“She was bubbly and was quite ambitious.