Gabrielle Anwar was born on February 4, 1970, in Laleham, Surrey, England, to Tariq Anwar, a film editor and producer, and Shirley Hills, an actress. She attended Laleham Church of England Primary and Middle School, and later Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, where she studied dance and drama.
Anwar began her acting career with minor roles in British television productions. Her early roles included appearances in the British miniseries Hideaway (1986) and Summer’s Lease (1989). She gained wider recognition with her role as Margaret Tudor in the BBC miniseries The First Churchills (1969).
Anwar transitioned to Hollywood in the early 1990s, securing roles in films such as If Looks Could Kill (1991) and Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken (1991). She gained significant attention for her performance as Donna in Scent of a Woman (1992), where she danced a tango with Al Pacino. This role helped establish her as a prominent actress.
Anwar’s filmography includes a variety of roles across different genres. Some of her notable film appearances include:
In addition to her film work, Anwar has had a successful television career. She is best known for her role as Fiona Glenanne in the USA Network series Burn Notice (2007-2013). She also appeared in