Renowned British actress Dame Joan Plowright, widow to famous actor and director Laurence Olivier, passed away on January 16, 2025. She died at Denville Hall in Northwood, England, at age 95. Her family confirmed her death, noting that a seven-decade-long career in theatre, film, and television ended due to her blindness.
Born in 1929, Plowright initiated her theatrical career in 1948 with “If Four Walls Could Talk.” She joined the Royal Court Theatre in 1956 and became an important figure in the “kitchen sink” realism movement of the 1950s. Her performances were recognized for their authenticity and emotional truthfulness.
She spent the 1950s building a distinguished stage career with performances in “The Seagull” by Chekhov, “The Merchant of Venice” by Shakespeare, and “The Chairs” by Eugene Ionesco. Her range allowed her to portray characters from teenage girls to upper-class English women, as demonstrated in George Bernard Shaw’s “Major Barbara” and “Saint Joan.”
In 1961, Plowright won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for “A Taste of Honey.” Her film career peaked with an Academy Award nomination for “Enchanted April” (1991), for which she also won a Golden Globe. She won another Golden Globe for her role in the TV biopic “Stalin.”
The late actress Joan Plowright expressed her deep gratitude for her theatrical career, noting, “It’s magic, and I still feel, when a curtain goes up or the lights come on… the magic of a beginning of what is going to unfold in front of me.” In a 2010 interview, she reflected on feeling privileged to have lived such a fulfilling life in the theater.
The 28-year marriage between Joan Plowright and Laurence Olivier represented more than just a personal union – it marked a significant era in British theater. During their partnership from 1961 to 1989, the couple helped shape the foundation of the National Theatre, where Plowright distinguished herself through masterful interpretations of both classic Russian drama and British theater, particularly shining in roles like Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” and Shaw’s “Saint Joan.”
Plowright saw a career resurgence in the 1980s and 1990s. She starred in several notable films, including “Equus” (1977), “The Dressmaker” (1988), “I Love You to Death,” “Jane Eyre,” “Surviving Picasso,” “101 Dalmatians,” and “Tea With Mussolini,” where she acted alongside Maggie Smith and Judi Dench.
As a vital member of the National Theatre, Plowright was a lifelong supporter of the institution. Her impact on the National Theatre was significant, as she maintained strong ties with the theatre community throughout her career.
Plowright’s artistic excellence earned her one of Britain’s highest honors in 2004 when she was made Dame Commander of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. Her local legacy was cemented when her hometown of Scunthorpe paid tribute by giving its civic theatre her name.
Plowright retired from acting in 2014 due to macular degeneration, which led to her legal blindness. Her last stage performance was in 2013 when she returned to her role in “Saint Joan” at the National Theatre in London for its 50th anniversary. She also appeared in the 2018 documentary “Tea With the Dames” alongside her peers.
Her family shared, “She cherished her last 10 years in Sussex with constant visits from friends and family, filled with much laughter and fond memories.” They added that she faced her challenges with determination and courage, always striving to make the best out of them.
In tribute to her legacy, the West End theatres in London dimmed their lights for two minutes on January 21, 2025, at 7 PM. She is survived by her children, grandchildren, step-granddaughter, great-granddaughters, and a soon-to-be-born great-granddaughter. Her first marriage was to actor Roger Gage from 1953 to 1960.