Joan Plowright, the celebrated British actress of stage and screen and widow of Sir Laurence Olivier, has passed away at the age of 95. Her family announced the news on Thursday, revealing that she died peacefully on January 16, 2025, surrounded by loved ones at Denville Hall.
In a statement shared by Deadline, her family said:
“It is with great sadness that the family of Dame Joan Plowright, the Lady Olivier, inform you that she passed away peacefully on 16 January 2025 surrounded by her family at Denville Hall at the glorious age of 95. Her brilliant career will be remembered by many, her wonderful being always cherished by her children Richard, Tamsin and Julie-Kate, their families and Joan’s many friends. We are deeply grateful for all those who helped care for her in her last years.”
Born in Lincolnshire in 1929, Plowright began her illustrious career on stage in 1954. She first gained prominence starring alongside Laurence Olivier in the original London production of The Entertainer, later reprising her role in the film adaptation.
Over the decades, Plowright became a revered figure in both theatre and cinema. On Broadway, she earned acclaim for her role in A Taste of Honey, winning a Tony Award. Her film career included standout performances in Enchanted April (1992), where she earned an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Mrs. Fisher, as well as memorable roles in The Scarlet Letter, 101 Dalmatians, and Tea with Mussolini.
Her television work was equally distinguished, with notable performances such as in HBO’s Stalin, for which she won another Golden Globe in 1992.
Plowright was married to Sir Laurence Olivier from 1961 until his death in 1989. Together, they worked closely at the National Theatre, which Olivier helped establish. Her remarkable contributions to the arts were recognized when she was made a Dame in the 2004 New Year Honours list.
Plowright is survived by her three children, Richard, Tamsin, and Julie-Kate, and will be remembered as a towering figure in British performing arts whose legacy will endure through her extraordinary body of work.