I'm a keen Linguist myself, particularly interested in phonetics & phonology along with spoken accent around the world.

I'm desperately intrigued to know as how long the following people took in learning new accent, particularly those who learnt broad British English accent.

Who did they take their lessons from & how long it took them to learn their new English accent ???

>> Mike Myers (American to English)
>> Renee Zellweger (American to English)
>> Gordon Brown (Scottish to English)
>> Pierce Brosnan (Irish to English)
>> Colin Ferrell (Irish to American)

I particularly like Mike Myers' British accent (as in Austin Powers movie).

Similarly, I'd equally be interested in knowing about other famous people (or even from non-famous or people around), learning new accent, be it be learning a particular "regional" or "national" accent.

Any response would be greatly appreciated.

michael j fox in back to the future 3- he played one of members of marty mcfly's irish ancestors or relatives (american english to irish english)

hugh laurie- in house, he played an american doc named gregory house (english to american english)

leonardo de caprio- danny archer in blood diamond, (american english to zimabawean/south african/afrikanns english)

I know that Mike Myers has British Ancestry, (not that long ago) so it was easy for him. His parents are from Liverpool, he was born in Canada, and has dual (Canadian/British) citizianship. He also spends a lot of time here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Myers_%28actor%29

what for I have to?

they probably watched old england movies to pick up the accent.
u can pick up an accent by hearing it alot.

Mike's accent in the films is pure cack, not British. There are about a hundred different accents in Britain.

I know that Mike Myers is mimicking his parents accent. They are from England. But most celebrities have voice coaches that help them with their accents. As to how long it takes, it differs with how easily one learns accents. But studios put up a lot of money for these actors to learn these accents. My favorite accent was Joely Richardson's regional American southern accent she used in the movie Nell. I am from the area she portrayed and she was on the spot perfect. That was acting!

CATHERINE ZITA JONES WAS WELSH (WALES, UK)... she had a wierd accent and shes gon all american now.. which sucks!

I think you'll find that Mike Myers' parents are English, which will explain why he was able to pick up the accent quite easily. I'm afraid I'm not much help on the others' but I await, with interest, for other answers, as I also find accents and linguistics fascinating.

I had to learn a cockney accent and a british accent for 2 different plays I've done. You have to listen carefully over and over again to a person from the specific region your character is from. There is no standard British accent per se, you just have to listen and be coached. Hope this helps.
Natalie Wood (American to Puerto Rican)
Anthony Hopkins (English to American)
John Leguizamo (English to French)
Naomi Watts (Australian to American)
Sacha Baren Cohen (English to Khazak to German to hilarious gangsta wanna be cockney-hybrid accent)
The list goes on and on....
Liam Neeson (Irish to German)
Ben Kingsley (what accent hasn't he done)
Ralph Finnes (English to German)