Celebrated British actress Joan Plowright, renowned for her stage work and her marriage to legendary actor Laurence Olivier, has passed away at the age of 95. Plowright's career spanned seven decades, encompassing theater, film, and television, and she earned numerous accolades for her performances.
Award-winning British stage actor Joan Plowright, the widow of Laurence Olivier, has died at the age of 95. Plowright, a member of an extraordinary generation of British actors that included Judi Dench, Vanessa Redgrave, Eileen Atkins, and Maggie Smith, passed away on Thursday, surrounded by loved ones at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in southern England.
Her family confirmed her death in a statement, saying she enjoyed a long and illustrious career spanning seven decades across theater, film, and television until blindness forced her retirement. They expressed immense pride in all that Joan accomplished and celebrated her as a loving and deeply inclusive person.Plowright's career flourished from the 1950s to the 1980s, during which she captivated audiences with numerous stage roles. She shone in productions of Anton Chekhov's 'The Seagull,' William Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice,' Eugene Ionesco's 'The Chairs,' and George Bernard Shaw's iconic plays 'Major Barbara' and 'Saint Joan.' Plowright's talent earned her widespread recognition, including a Tony Award, two Golden Globes, and nominations for an Oscar and an Emmy. She was also honored by Queen Elizabeth II with the title of Dame in 2004.Her connection to the theatrical world was deep and profound. Plowright, born Joan Ann Plowright in Brigg, Lincolnshire, England, began her involvement in theater at the tender age of 3, thanks to her mother's amateur drama group. She spent her school vacations at summer sessions of university drama schools, demonstrating her early passion and commitment to the art form. After graduating from the Laban Art of Movement Studio in Manchester, she won a two-year scholarship to the drama school at the Old Vic Theatre in London. Following her London stage debut in 1954, she joined the Royal Court Theatre in 1956, gaining recognition for her performances in dramas written by the so-called Angry Young Men, a group of playwrights who brought a raw and unfiltered perspective to British theater. Plowright's film career took off with an uncredited role in John Huston's epic adaptation of Herman Melville's 'Moby Dick' in 1956. A year later, she starred alongside her future husband, Laurence Olivier, in the original London production of John Osborne's 'The Entertainer.' Their on-stage chemistry blossomed, leading to their marriage in Connecticut in 1961. Olivier, who had previously been married to Vivien Leigh, and Plowright, who had been married to British actor Roger Cage, found love and artistic collaboration on Broadway. Plowright won a Tony Award for her performance in 'A Taste of Honey' while Olivier starred in 'Becket.'Their marriage lasted until Olivier's death in 1989. Plowright's career experienced a resurgence after his passing, proving her versatility and talent across various genres. She appeared in notable films like Franco Zeffirelli's 'Jane Eyre,' the Merchant-Ivory production 'Surviving Picasso,' and Disney's live-action remake of '101 Dalmatians' alongside Glenn Close.Plowright became a recipient of two Golden Globe awards in 1993, for her roles in 'Stalin' and 'Enchanted April,' the latter earning her an Academy Award nomination. While not all her projects achieved critical acclaim, Plowright remained a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. She served as a guardian of Olivier's legacy, bestowing awards, defending his reputation in the press, and curating his letters
JOAN PLOWRIGHT LAURENCE OLIVIER BRITISH ACTRESS THEATRE FILM DEATH OBITUARIES ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
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