Dame Helen Mirren keeps her Academy Award on the stairs.

The 69-year-old actress - who won an Oscar in 2007 for her portrayal of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II in 2006 movie 'The Queen' - has admitted she keeps the prestigious award in an unusual place at her London home.

Speaking on 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon', she said: ''I keep my Academy Award on the stairs actually, in my house in London; half-way up the stairs.''

Despite her many successes in her career - including two Golden Globe wins and a BAFTA Academy Fellowship - Helen feels as though it is hard for women to earn a living through acting.

She said: ''I've been lucky, but if you look at any drama it's still five-to-one men to women. There are a few women in main roles and although it's changing it's still difficult for most to earn a living.

''Many I grew up with are immensely talented yet can't. It's much easier for men.''

The 'Hundred-Foot Journey' star also denied the ''insanely and outrageously wrong'' reports that she is one of the highest-paid actresses.

She added: ''What else can you do but laugh, so long as the taxman doesn't take it seriously.''