Dame Joan Plowright, renowned British stage actor and widow of the legendary Laurence Olivier, passed away at the age of 95. Her illustrious career spanned seven decades, encompassing theatre, film, and television. Plowright earned numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, two Golden Globes, and an Oscar nomination, solidifying her status as a theatrical icon. In her later years, she devoted herself to preserving Olivier's legacy.
Award-winning British stage actor Joan Plowright, the widow of Laurence Olivier, has passed away at the age of 95. Plowright, renowned for her contributions to the revitalization of the UK's theatrical scene alongside her late husband after World War II, died Thursday at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in southern England, surrounded by her loved ones.
Her family shared in a statement that she enjoyed a long and illustrious career spanning seven decades across theatre, film, and television until blindness led to her retirement. They expressed immense pride in her accomplishments and celebrated her as a loving and deeply inclusive human being.Plowright, part of a remarkable generation of British actors including Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Eileen Atkins, and Maggie Smith, garnered numerous accolades throughout her career. These accolades included a Tony Award, two Golden Globes, and nominations for an Oscar and an Emmy. She was also honored with the title of Dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004. From the 1950s to the 1980s, Plowright graced numerous stage productions, portraying diverse roles in works by renowned playwrights such as Anton Chekhov, William Shakespeare, Eugene Ionesco, and George Bernard Shaw. Her performances in plays like 'The Seagull,' 'The Merchant of Venice,' 'The Chairs,' 'Major Barbara,' and 'Saint Joan' left an indelible mark on the theatrical world.Plowright's profound impact on London's theatre scene was evident in the announcement that theatres across the West End would dim their lights for two minutes at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in her honor. Born Joan Ann Plowright in Brigg, Lincolnshire, England, her early exposure to the performing arts began at the age of three when her mother, the leader of an amateur drama group, involved her in theatrical productions. Her passion for acting continued to flourish, leading her to participate in summer sessions at university drama schools during school vacations. After completing high school, she pursued her education at the Laban Art of Movement Studio in Manchester before securing a two-year scholarship to the drama school at the Old Vic Theatre in London. Following her London stage debut in 1954, Plowright joined the Royal Court Theatre in 1956, gaining recognition for her performances in dramas written by the so-called 'Angry Young Men' playwrights, such as John Osborne, who were revolutionizing British theatre.Plowright's film debut came in 1956 with an uncredited role in John Huston's epic adaptation of Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick,' starring Gregory Peck. A year later, she shared the stage with her future husband, Olivier, in the original London production of Osborne's 'The Entertainer,' portraying his daughter. Their collaboration continued in the 1960 film adaptation. By then, Plowright's marriage to British actor Roger Cage had ended, as had Olivier's 20-year union with Vivien Leigh. Plowright and Olivier exchanged vows in Connecticut in 1961, both while performing on Broadway – he in 'Becket' and she in 'A Taste of Honey,' for which she won a Tony Award. Olivier's heartfelt love letters to Plowright eloquently expressed his deep affection, describing a sense of peace and serenity that enveloped him when he thought of or wrote to her. Olivier passed away in 1989 at the age of 82. Following his death, Plowright embarked on a career resurgence at the age of 60, captivating audiences with both high-brow and commercial productions.She appeared in Franco Zeffirelli's adaptation of Charlotte Brontë's 'Jane Eyre' (1996) and the Merchant-Ivory production of 'Surviving Picasso,' as well as portraying the steadfast nanny in Disney's live-action remake of '101 Dalmatians' (1996) alongside Glenn Close. Her notable roles included starring opposite Walter Matthau in the big screen adaptation of the classic comic strip 'Dennis the Menace' and making a brief appearance in Arnold Schwarzenegger's self-referencing satire 'Last Action Hero' (1993). Plowright achieved the distinction of being one of the few actors to win two Golden Globes in the same year (1993), receiving awards for her supporting roles in the television production 'Stalin' and the film 'Enchanted April.' The latter earned her her sole nomination for an Academy Award. Not all of her projects were met with critical acclaim, as evidenced by the less successful ventures like 'The Scarlet Letter' starring Demi Moore and a shelved pilot for a television series based on 'Driving Miss Daisy.' Her appearance alongside Chevy Chase in the 2011 holiday family comedy 'Goose on the Loose' also received mixed reviews.In her later years, Plowright dedicated herself to preserving Olivier's legacy, actively participating in award ceremonies, defending her husband's reputation in the media, and curating his letters
JOAN PLOWRIGHT LAURENCE OLIVIER BRITISH THEATRE DAME JOAN PLOWRIGHT GOLDEN GLOBES OSCAR NOMINATION DEATH THEATRE ICON
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