Dame Joan Plowright one of the most distinguished actors of her generation, has died at the age of 95.
The widow of Sir Laurence Olivier had a career spanning 6 decades with numerous Golden Globes, an Emmy and Oscar nomination.
Growing up in Scunthorpe, the local theatre was renamed in her honour in the 90s.
“It is with great sadness that the family of Dame Joan Plowright, the Lady Olivier, inform you that she passed away peacefully on January 16 2025 surrounded by her family at Denville Hall aged 95,” said a family statement.
“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.
“She survived her many challenges with Plowright grit and courageous determination to make the best of them, and that she certainly did.
“Rest in peace, Joan…”
Theatres across London’s West End will dim their lights for two minutes at 7pm on Tuesday 21 January in remembrance of renowned British stage and screen actress Dame Joan Plowright, widow of Laurence Olivier, who died earlier this week at the age of 95. pic.twitter.com/ztTtdJZuIC
— Olivier Awards (@OlivierAwards) January 17, 2025
Born in Lincolnshire, her father was journalist and newspaper editor, Bill Plowright – he founded the Scunthorpe Little Theatre Club at the Scunthorpe Civic Theatre, which is now the Plowright Theatre, in honour of his daughter.
“We are saddened to hear that Dame Joan Plowright, the esteemed British actress whose career spanned over six decades, has passed away at the age of 95. Born in Brigg she became one of the most distinguished actors of her generation,” said the theatre in a statement.
“Our Plowright Theatre, once know as Scunthorpe Civic Theatre was re-named in the 1990s in recognition of the achievements of Joan and it was her father, Bill Plowright who founded Scunthorpe Little Theatre Club who continue to perform there today.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.”
She started her career in London, joining the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre and making her stage debut in 1948. In 1957, she would star with future husband, Sir Laurence Olivier in the stage performance of The Entertainer. They would both be nominated for Baftas for the film version which was released 3 years later.
They also appeared together in the Orson Welles-directed Rhinoceros at the Royal Court in 1960.
A year later the pair would marry, after Plowright divorced her first husband, and Olivier ended his relationship with Vivien Leigh.
In the same year, she received a Tony for her role in A Taste of Honey on Broadway. She also won an Olivier Award in 1978 for Filumena.
Her film performances included Enchanted April, for which she was nominated for an Oscar and won a Global Globe – one of 2, the other was for Stalin. More recently she starred in 101 Dalmations, The Spiderwick Chrnicles and the documentary, Nothing Like A Dame.
Maggie Smith and Joan Plowright chiding Judi Dench because Dench gets all the acting roles in the US will always be one of my favorite things pic.twitter.com/6D9E60YQ2P
— Ben Palmer (@benjpalmer) September 27, 2024
In 2015 she retired from the stage having lost her eyesight and being registered as blind.
Theatres across London’s West End will dim their lights for two minutes at 7pm on Tuesday 21 January to remember her.
“Dame Joan Plowright was an iconic and deeply respected figure in the world of theatre, leaving an indelible mark on the industry she shaped with her talent and dedication. We are honoured to contribute to the celebration of her extraordinary career and extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones,” said Society of London Theatres & UK Theatre CO-CEO Hannah Essex.
Her brother was David Plowright, the Managing Director and Chair of Granada Television. He was also founder of the Nations and Regions Media Conference, championing the cause of regional television.
