Joan Plowright, a celebrated British actress known for her stage career spanning seven decades, has passed away at the age of 95. She was best known for her work alongside her late husband, Laurence Olivier, in revitalizing the British theatrical scene post-World War II. Plowright's illustrious career earned her accolades including a Tony Award, two Golden Globes, and an Academy Award nomination.
Award-winning British stage actor Joan Plowright, the widow of Laurence Olivier, has died at the age of 95. Plowright, who with her late husband did much to revitalize the U.K.'s theatrical scene in the decades after World War II, passed away Thursday at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in southern England, surrounded by loved ones.
Her family released a statement Friday saying, 'She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire. We are so proud of all Joan did and who she was as a loving and deeply inclusive human being.' Plowright was part of an astonishing generation of British actors, including Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Eileen Atkins and Maggie Smith, achieving accolades such as a Tony Award, two Golden Globes, and nominations for an Oscar and an Emmy. She was also made a dame by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004. From the 1950s to the 1980s, Plowright performed in numerous stage roles, showcasing her talent in productions ranging from Anton Chekhov's 'The Seagull' to William Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice.' She captivated audiences in Eugene Ionesco's 'The Chairs' and George Bernard Shaw's iconic two-female roles 'Major Barbara' and 'Saint Joan.' Plowright often spoke about the magic of theater, remarking, '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.' This sentiment was echoed in the theatrical community, as theaters across London's West End will dim their lights for two minutes at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in her honor. Born Joan Ann Plowright in Brigg, Lincolnshire, England, her mother was involved in amateur drama, introducing Plowright to the world of theater at the age of three. She spent her school vacations at summer sessions of university drama schools, demonstrating her early passion for the performing arts. After high school, she studied at the Laban Art of Movement Studio in Manchester and then received 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 in dramas written by the so-called 'Angry Young Men,' such as John Osborne, who were significantly impacting British theater. Her contemporaries included fellow working-class actors like Albert Finney, Alan Bates, and Anthony Hopkins. Plowright's film debut was an uncredited role in American director John Huston's epic adaptation of Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick' in 1956, starring Gregory Peck. A year later, she co-starred with her future husband Olivier in the original London production of Osborne's 'The Entertainer,' playing Olivier's daughter. They reunited for 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 married in Connecticut in 1961 while both were starring on Broadway. He appeared in 'Becket,' and she in 'A Taste of Honey,' for which she won a Tony Award. One love letter Olivier sent captured his feelings: '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.' Olivier passed away in 1989 at the age of 82. After his death, Plowright experienced a career resurgence at the age of 60, successfully taking on both high-brow and commercial roles. She appeared in Franco Zeffirelli's version of Charlotte Brontë's 'Jane Eyre' in 1996 and the Merchant-Ivory production of 'Surviving Picasso,' as well as starring as the steadfast nanny in Disney's live-action remake of '101 Dalmatians' in 1996 alongside Glenn Close. Plowright also starred opposite Walter Matthau in the big-screen adaptation of the classic comic strip 'Dennis the Menace' and made a brief appearance in Arnold Schwarzenegger's self-referencing satire 'Last Action Hero' in 1993. Her exceptional year in 1993 saw her win two Golden Globe Awards, one for supporting actress in television for 'Stalin' and another for supporting actress in film for 'Enchanted April.' For the latter, which told the story of a group of Britons whose lives were transformed during a vacation to Italy, she received her only Academy Award nomination. While Plowright enjoyed a successful career, not all her projects were critically acclaimed. The film 'The Scarlet Letter' starring Demi Moore received mixed reviews, and a pilot for a TV series based on 'Driving Miss Daisy' failed to take off. Her appearance alongside Chevy Chase in the 2011 holiday family comedy 'Goose on the Loose' also did not resonate with critics. Throughout her later years, Plowright remained a prominent figure, actively upholding the legacy of Laurence Olivier. She presented awards, defended her husband's reputation in the press, and curated his letters, ensuring his lasting impact on the theater world
JOAN PLOWRIGHT LAURANCE OLIVIER BRITISH THEATRE GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS TONY AWARDS ACTING LEGENDS
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