Following in the footsteps of many other Harry Potter stars, Molly Weasley actress Julie Walters has been honored with the Richard Harris award at the British Independent Film awards. The Richard Harris Award was introduced in 2002 in honour of Richard Harris (who played Dumbledore in the first two Potter films) and recognises outstanding contribution to British film by an actor. Previous winners have included Potter actors John Hurt, David Thewlis, Jim Broadbent, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, and Michael Gambon.

Julie Walters CBE who started out in TV working with comedian Victoria Wood has built a highly successful career spanning 4 decades becoming one of the UK’s most beloved actors in the process. She broke in to film with her BAFTA and Golden Globe winning performance in a supporting role in the 1984 international hit EDUCATING RITA where she starred alongside Sir Michael Caine. The role also earned her an Academy Award nomination. Walters was once again nominated for an Academy Award in 2001 for Stephen Daldry’s BILLY ELLIOT and that same year was cast as Molly Weasley in HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE – a character she would continue to play for the next 10 years as the franchise became a global phenomenon. She has starred in some of British cinema’s greatest films including CALENDAR GIRLS in 2003, and one of the highest-grossing UK films of all time MAMMA MIA! Walters will next be seen as ‘Nan’ in THE HARRY HILL MOVIE out later this month, and plays Mrs Bird in the highly anticipated live-action drama PADDINGTON which is due for release in late 2014.  – See more at: http://www.bifa.org.uk/releases/julie-walters-to-be-honoured-at-the-16th-moet-british-independent-film-awards#sthash.cjIsnJ30.dpuf

A video of her at the event may be viewed below:

Thanks to SnitchSeeker for finding the video.