Lesley-Anne Down Recounts Three Near-Death Encounters

Actress Lesley-Anne Down, known for her roles in "North and South" and "Upstairs, Downstairs," believes she has survived three instances in her life where she "should have been killed." Down, who portrays Margaret Thatcher in the upcoming film "Reagan," shared these harrowing experiences in a recent interview.

The first unsettling event occurred when Down was 10 years old and a girl named Lesley Ann Downey, who shared her first name and was close to her age, became a victim of the notorious Moors murderers, Ian Brady and Myra Hindley. "My mother got phone calls when this little girl's identity was announced," Down recalled. "It wasn't me, of course, but it certainly freaked her out." Brady and Hindley were convicted of murdering five children between 1963 and 1965, with several victims buried on Saddleworth Moor.

A year later, when Down was 11, she had another terrifying encounter. While walking with her mother, Down ran ahead and was approached by a man on a footbridge who attempted to lure her into his car, claiming he needed a babysitter and would contact her parents. "I remember having one foot in the car. Seeing my mother broke the spell. Then he was gone," Down said, describing the "horrible feeling" before her mother arrived.

When Down was 18, she entered a car she believed to be a taxi, only to realize quickly that it was not. The driver, who lacked the expected taxi accouterments, refused to stop when she asked. "I opened the door and threw myself out of the 25-mile an hour car," she recounted. "I fell onto the curb in a puddle. I was covered in blood." The driver then sped away.

Down, who has also been nominated for a Golden Globe and starred alongside Patrick Swayze, Peter Sellers, and Harrison Ford, emphasized the importance of safety, particularly for women in the entertainment industry. Her advice is to "never go anywhere alone" and to always have an agent or publicist present, even if they are only accessible by phone.

Reflecting on her role as Margaret Thatcher, Down expressed admiration for the former Prime Minister's dedication to England. She also noted the parallel with Ronald Reagan's belief in the American people, stating that leaders should strive for the "longevity and success of the nation."

"Reagan" is currently available for rent or purchase on digital platforms.