Crosbie was born in Gorebridge, Midlothian, Scotland, to Presbyterian parents who disapproved of her becoming an actress. Nevertheless, she joined the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School while still in her teens. Her big break came in 1970 when she was cast as Catherine of Aragon in the BBC television series The Six Wives of Henry VIII, for which she won the 1971 BAFTA Television Award for Best Actress. In 1973, she starred alongside Vanessa Redgrave in the BBC serial, A Picture of Katherine Mansfield. In 1975, Crosbie made a similar impact as another Queen, Queen Victoria, in the ITV period drama Edward the Seventh, for which she won the 1976 BAFTA Television Award for Best Actress. She played Cinderella's fairy godmother in The Slipper and the Rose, which was chosen as the Royal Film Première for 1976. In that film, Crosbie sang the Sherman Brothers' song, "Suddenly It Happens". In Ralph Bakshi's animated movie, The Lord of the Rings, filmed in 1978, Crosbie voiced the character of Galadriel, Lady of the Elves. In 1980, she played the abbess in Hawk the Slayer. In 1986, she appeared as the vicar's wife in Paradise Postponed. After appearing in the BBC1 drama Take Me Home, Crosbie's next major role was as Margaret Meldrew, the long-suffering wife of Victor Meldrew . She is a campaigner for greyhound welfare. Since 2003, she has been President of the League Against Cruel Sports. She has also fronted commercials for Sun Life Direct insurance.
She was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1998 Queens New Year Honours List for her services to drama.
Mother of Selina Griffiths
Was offered the role of Queen Victoria in Doctor Who: Tooth and Claw. Pauline Collins won the role.
Patron of the Celia Cross Greyhound Trust.
Although she played Timothy West and Felicity Kendal s mother in "Edward the Seventh" , she is only eight months and twelve years their senior respectively in real life.
She played Queen Victoria between the ages of 22 (in 1841) and 81 (in 1901) in "Edward the Seventh" .
One of a few top actors/actresses who appeared in television commercials for The British Post Office.
Her role as Catherine Of Aragon won her a BAFTA award for Best Actress.
Has two roles in common with Frances Cuka : they both played Catherine of Aragon, Crosbie in "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" and Cuka in Henry VIII and His Six Wives , and Mrs Bedwin, Crosbie in "Oliver Twist" and Cuka in Oliver Twist .
Has two granddaughters, born in 2000 and 2002.
Enjoys doing crossword puzzles.
