Pauline Collins, Star of ‘Shirley Valentine,’ Dies at 85
Pauline Collins, the Oscar-nominated and Tony-winning British actress celebrated for her dynamic performances on stage and screen, has died at the age of 85. Her family announced that she passed away peacefully at her home in London after living with Parkinson’s disease for several years.
A Career that Inspired Many
Collins earned acclaim and inspired audiences worldwide with her portrayal of a woman rediscovering herself in Shirley Valentine, a role that brought her both Academy Award and Olivier nominations as well as a Tony Award win.
Television Success and Iconic Roles
She became a household name thanks to her BAFTA-nominated performance as the lively yet mischievous maid Sarah Moffatt in the first two seasons of Upstairs, Downstairs. In the series, her character’s romance with chauffeur Thomas Watkins mirrored real life, as Watkins was portrayed by Collins’ husband and long-time collaborator, John Alderton.
Film Highlights
- City of Joy (1992) — portrayed an Irish nurse who persuades a doctor, played by Patrick Swayze, to open a clinic in India.
- Paradise Road (1997) — played a missionary who helps form a women’s vocal orchestra in a Japanese POW camp alongside Glenn Close and Frances McDormand.
- Albert Nobbs (2011) — reunited with Glenn Close as the owner of a modest hotel.
- Quartet (2012) — appeared with Maggie Smith, Billy Connolly, and Tom Courtney as a retired opera singer struggling with dementia under Dustin Hoffman’s direction.
“Pauline Collins inspired audiences to embrace change and self-discovery through her unforgettable characters,” her family noted in their statement.
Legacy
Beloved for her warmth and strength, Pauline Collins leaves behind a body of work that continues to uplift and inspire generations of actors and viewers alike.
Author’s summary: Pauline Collins, a celebrated actress of stage and screen, whose roles encouraged resilience and reinvention, passed away in London at 85 after a distinguished six-decade career.