The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Lead Actress of Shirley Valentine, Passes Away at 85
The celebrated actress Pauline Collins, best known for her performance in the movie Shirley Valentine, has passed away at the age of 85.
She died peacefully in her London care home, surrounded by her loved ones after living with Parkinson's disease for several years, as stated by 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 acclaimed theatrical production by Willy Russell.
Her critically acclaimed performance also earned her the Golden Globe for outstanding actress as well as a BAFTA award.
'Witty Presence'
Her relatives released a statement saying: "Pauline was so many things to so many people, portraying diverse characters in her career. A bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen. Her distinguished work saw her portray leaders, parents, and royalty."
"Her memory will endure as the legendary, determined, lively, and insightful Shirley Valentine - a role that she made all her own. We were familiar with all those parts of her because her charm was embedded in each one of them."
They added she was their "devoted mother, our beloved grandmother and great-grandma", and actor John Alderton's "life-long love"
"Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was constantly supportive," they said, appreciating her caregivers, who cared for her with "dignity, compassion, and most of all love"
"She experienced a more peaceful goodbye. We hope you will remember her at the height of her powers; so joyful and full of energy; and allow us privacy to contemplate a life without her"
New York Theater
Collins first played the lead part of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theatre in the UK capital in 1988. She received that year's Olivier award for outstanding actress.
A year later she reprised the role on the New York stage, where she earned several awards including a esteemed Tony Award.
The film of the same name was launched shortly after.
Additional movie roles included the 1991 film City of Joy with actor Patrick Swayze, shot in Kolkata, which brought her wider recognition worldwide.
Born in Exmouth in 1940, Collins was raised near Liverpool and started out her career as a educator.
Her love of the stage inspired her to pursue acting on a side basis, and in 1957 she had a cameo role as a medical attendant in the TV series Emergency Ward 10.
She featured in the film Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966, portraying an imaginary performer in a London striptease nightclub, the Windmill Theater.
Following several theater parts, she employed her regional dialect to land a role on the show The Liver Birds.
It was through acting that she met her husband John Alderton. They married in 1969 and had a family of three, Nicholas, Kate, and Richard.
The couple performed alongside each other in a variety of screen projects, such as Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she played a maid in ITV's popular series.
