British acting icon Dame Joan Plowright dead at 95
British acting legend Dame Joan Plowright has died aged 95, her family have confirmed.
In a statement, the Plowright family said of her passing: “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 aged 95. She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire.”
Although no cause of death has been revealed, they added, “She cherished her last 10 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.”
Plowright’s career burned bright for over 60 years, as she dazzled with her talents on both stage and screen. Notably, in 1991, Plowright earned an Oscar nomination for her head-turning appearance in the movie Enchanted April.
However, it was the stage that Plowright belonged. After moving to London in the 1950s, she established herself as a leading name in the West End. In 1961, she starred alongside Laurence Olivier in The Entertainer, and would later marry. When Olivier set up The National Theatre, Plowright played a vital role in its establishment. The pair also later appeared together in the screen version of The Entertainer.
Other notable roles in Plowright’s career include appearing in Orson Welles‘ West End production of Moby Dick in 1955. In 1960, she made waves in America for the first time making her debut on Broadway in A Taste of Honey, which resulted in a Tony Award for her performance.
On January 22nd, the Society of London Theatre have announced a tribute to Plowright. For two minutes at 7pm, playhouses across London’s West End will dim their lights in remembrance of the theatrical great.
The organisation’s co-CEO, Hannah Essex, said in a statement: “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.”
Plowright is survived by her three children with her late husband Laurence Olivier.
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