A legendary British actor's remarkable journey through the entertainment industry spans over 70 years of groundbreaking performances and artistic achievements.
According to CBS News, Dame Joan Plowright, the Tony Award-winning British actor and widow of acclaimed actor Laurence Olivier, passed away at age 95 on Thursday at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in southern England.
The theater community mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished performers, with London's West End theaters planning to dim their lights for two minutes at 7 p.m. on Tuesday to honor her memory.
Her family shared that she was surrounded by loved ones in her final moments, reflecting on her illustrious career that only concluded when blindness forced her retirement.
Born in Brigg, Lincolnshire, Plowright's theatrical roots were planted early through her mother's amateur drama group, where she began performing at age three.
Her formal training included studies at the Laban Art of Movement Studio in Manchester and a two-year scholarship at the Old Vic Theatre's drama school in London.
Following her London stage debut in 1954, Plowright's career flourished at the Royal Court Theatre, where she became a prominent figure among the emerging "Angry Young Men" dramatists. She worked alongside rising stars like Albert Finney, Alan Bates, and Anthony Hopkins, establishing herself as a formidable presence in British theater.
Her artistic partnership with Laurence Olivier began during their collaboration in John Osborne's "The Entertainer" in 1957, leading to their marriage in Connecticut in 1961. Olivier expressed his deep affection for Plowright in a love letter, which she later shared:
I sometimes feel such a peacefulness come over me when I think of you, or write to you — a gentle tenderness and serenity. A feeling devoid of all violence, passion or shattering longing... it makes me go out into the street with a smile on my face and in my heart for everybody.
Plowright's versatility as an actor earned her numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, two Golden Globes, and nominations for both an Oscar and an Emmy. Her stage repertoire included masterful performances of works by Chekhov, Shakespeare, and Shaw.
Speaking about her theatrical experiences, Plowright shared her enduring passion for the craft:
I've been very privileged to have such a life. I mean it's magic and I still feel, when a curtain goes up or the lights come on if there's no curtain, the magic of a beginning of what is going to unfold in front of me.
Her film career experienced a renaissance at age 60, featuring roles in notable productions such as "Jane Eyre," "Surviving Picasso," and Disney's "101 Dalmatians." The year 1993 proved particularly successful when she won two Golden Globes for her performances in "Stalin" and "Enchanted April."
Dame Joan Plowright's passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in British theater and film history. The Tony Award-winning actor, who received her damehood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2004, leaves behind a legacy spanning seven decades of performances across theater, film, and television.
Her remarkable journey concluded at Denville Hall, where she spent her final days surrounded by family. She is survived by her three children—Tamsin, Richard, and Julie-Kate—all of whom followed in their parents' footsteps as actors, along with several grandchildren, ensuring the continuation of the Olivier-Plowright theatrical legacy.
