The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Lead Actress of the Film Shirley Valentine, Passes Away at 85
Pauline Collins, best known for her performance in the movie Shirley Valentine, has died at the age of 85.
She died peacefully in her London residence, surrounded by her loved ones after living with Parkinson's disease for a number of years, according to her family.
Her legacy will be defined for her depiction of unhappy homemaker Shirley in the director's award-winning motion picture, based on the celebrated theatrical production by playwright Willy Russell.
Her critically acclaimed performance also earned her the Golden Globe Award for outstanding actress along with a Bafta.
'Witty Presence'
Her relatives released a statement saying: "She was a multifaceted person to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her career. A bright, sparky, witty presence on theater and film. Her illustrious career saw her portray leaders, parents, and royalty."
"She will always be remembered as the legendary, determined, lively, and insightful Shirley Valentine - a part she completely owned. We knew all those parts of her because her magic was contained in each one of them."
The statement continued she was their "devoted mother, our wonderful grandma and great-grandma", and actor John Alderton's "life-long love"
"Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was always there for us," they expressed, thanking her carers, who cared for her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection"
"She experienced a more peaceful goodbye. We ask that you recall her at the height of her powers; radiant and energetic; and give us the space and privacy to reflect on life in her absence"
Stage Success
Collins first played the title role of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theater in the UK capital in 1988. She received that year's Olivier Award for best actress.
The following year she returned to the character on Broadway, New York, where she earned several awards including a prestigious Tony award.
The film of the same name was released later that year.
Additional movie roles included the 1991 film City of Joy with actor Patrick Swayze, filmed in Calcutta, which brought her wider recognition globally.
A native of Exmouth in 1940, Collins was raised near the city of Liverpool and started out her career as a teacher.
Her love of the stage inspired her to pursue acting on a part-time basis, and in 1957 she appeared briefly as a medical attendant in the Emergency Ward 10.
She featured in the film Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966, portraying an imaginary performer in a London adult entertainment venue, the Windmill Theatre.
After a number of stage roles, she employed her regional dialect to land a role on The Liver Birds.
Her acting career that she met her husband John Alderton. They married in 1969 and had a family of three, their sons and daughter.
Alderton and Collins starred alongside each other in a number of television and film roles, such as the series Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she portrayed a servant in the acclaimed ITV program.
