Award-winning actress Dame Joan Plowright, widow of Lord Laurence Olivier, has died at the age of 95, her family has announced. The Lincolnshire-born actress trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the 1940s before launching a career spanning six decades.
A statement said: “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.
“She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire.
“She cherished her last ten years in Sussex with constant visits from friends and family, filled with much laughter and fond memories.
“The family are deeply grateful to Jean Wilson and all those involved in her personal care over many years.
“Joan is survived by her loving family: Tamsin and Wilf, Julie-Kate and Dan, Richard, Shelley, Troy, Ali, Jeremy, step-granddaughter and great granddaughter Kaya and Sophia, and great grand-daughter soon to arrive.
“The family ask you to please respect their request for privacy at this time.
“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…”
Dame Joan won two Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award. She was also nominated for an Academy Award, an Emmy and two BAFTAs.
In 1957, she co-starred with her future husband, Sir Laurence Olivier, in the original stage production of The Entertainer and went on to appear in the film version.
As well as a long stage career, she made countless films and television appearances. She won a Golden Globe Award for Enchanted April in 1992 and also starred in Dennis the Menace, 101 Dalmatians and Tea With Mussolini.