Dame Joan Plowright, Acclaimed British Actress and Olivier Widow, Dies at 95

LONDON, England — Dame Joan Plowright, one of Britain’s most celebrated stage and screen actresses and the widow of Sir Laurence Olivier, has died at the age of 95. Her family announced her passing on January 16, 2025, at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in Sussex, where she spent her final years surrounded by loved ones.

Plowright’s career spanned over six decades, earning her acclaim in theater, film, and television. She was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the 1991 film *Enchanted April* and won a Tony Award for her performance in *A Taste of Honey* on Broadway in 1960. Her work at the Royal Court Theatre and the National Theatre, where she collaborated with Olivier, cemented her legacy as a pillar of British postwar theater.

Born on October 28, 1929, in Brigg, Lincolnshire, Plowright grew up in Scunthorpe and attended Scunthorpe Grammar School on a scholarship. Her passion for acting began early, and she won a drama trophy at a local theater festival at age 15. After training at the Old Vic Theatre School in London, she made her stage debut in 1948 and quickly rose to prominence.

Plowright’s breakthrough came in 1957 when she starred opposite Olivier in John Osborne‘s *The Entertainer* at the Royal Court Theatre. The two later married in 1961, following Olivier’s divorce from Vivien Leigh. Their partnership extended to the stage, where Plowright played iconic roles such as Portia in *The Merchant of Venice* and Masha in *Three Sisters* at the National Theatre.

In a statement, her family described her as “a loving and deeply inclusive human being” who faced life’s challenges with “grit and courageous determination.” They highlighted her joy in her final decade, spent in Sussex, where she was frequently visited by friends and family.

Plowright’s film career flourished in the 1990s, with notable roles in *Enchanted April*, *Tea With Mussolini*, and *Drowning By Numbers*. Her performance in *Enchanted April* earned her an Oscar nomination, while her collaboration with director Franco Zeffirelli in *Tea With Mussolini* showcased her alongside fellow British acting legends Maggie Smith and Judi Dench.

Plowright retired from acting in 2014 after losing her eyesight. Despite her blindness, she remained active in the arts, reprising her role as Saint Joan in a 2013 speech and reflecting on her career in a 2018 interview. Her contributions to theater and film have left an indelible mark on British culture.

She is survived by her three children, Julie-Kate, Tamsin, and Richard Olivier, who followed in their parents’ footsteps as actors and directors. Her family expressed gratitude to her caregivers, particularly Jean Wilson, for their support during her later years.