17/01/2025
Joan Plowright, a distinguished British actress with a career spanning over seven decades, passed away on January 16, 2025, at 95. She died peacefully at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in London, surrounded by family. Born in Brigg, Lincolnshire, on October 28, 1929, Plowright trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and earned acclaim in theatre, film, and television. Her accolades include a Tony Award for A Taste of Honey and two Golden Globe Awards for Enchanted April and Stalin. Married to Laurence Olivier in 1961, they had three children together. Appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2004, she retired in 2014 due to vision loss but remained a revered figure. She is survived by her children and grandchildren, who carry on her artistic legacy.
Joan Plowright was known for her exceptional work in theatre, film, and television. Some of her notable performances include:
Theatre:
• “A Taste of Honey” (1958) – Her role in this play earned her a Tony Award.
• Numerous roles with the National Theatre Company in its early years, where she worked alongside her husband, Laurence Olivier.
Film:
• “Enchanted April” (1991) – For which she won a Golden Globe Award.
• “The Entertainer” (1960) – Her breakout film, starring opposite Laurence Olivier.
• “Stalin” (1992) – Another performance that won her a Golden Globe Award.
• “Tea with Mussolini” (1999) – A beloved film where she starred alongside Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and Cher.
• “84 Charing Cross Road” (1987) – A touching drama.
Television:
• “Dandelion Dead” (1994) – A notable British miniseries.
• Various acclaimed appearances in TV dramas and adaptations.
Plowright’s career is defined by her versatility and her ability to shine across different mediums.
