The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Lead Actress of Shirley Valentine, Dies at 85
Pauline Collins, widely recognized for her role in the movie Shirley Valentine, has died at the age of 85.
Her passing was peaceful in her London care home, surrounded by her loved ones after battling Parkinson's disease for a number of years, as stated by her family.
Her legacy will be defined for her depiction of unhappy homemaker Shirley in Lewis Gilbert's award-winning film, based on the celebrated theatrical production by Willy Russell.
Her praised acting also earned her the Golden Globe for outstanding actress along with a Bafta.
'Witty Presence'
Collins' family said in a statement: "Pauline was so many things to countless individuals, portraying diverse characters in her career. An intelligent, lively, and humorous figure on theater and film. Her distinguished work saw her play politicians, mothers and queens."
"Her memory will endure as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine - a role that she made all her own. We knew all those aspects of her personality because her charm was embedded in every single role."
They added she was their "devoted mother, our wonderful grandma and great-grandma", and actor John Alderton's "eternal partner"
"Kind, humorous, giving, considerate, intelligent, she was always there for us," they said, thanking her carers, who cared for her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection"
"She could not have had a more peaceful goodbye. We hope you will remember her at the height of her powers; so joyful and full of energy; and give us the space and privacy to contemplate a life without her"
New York Theater
Collins first played the lead part of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theater in London in 1988. She won that year's Olivier Award for best actress.
The following year she returned to the character on the New York stage, where she picked up numerous prizes including a prestigious Tony award.
The film of the same name was launched shortly after.
Her other films included the 1991 film City of Joy with Patrick Swayze, shot in Kolkata, which gained her international fame globally.
Born in Exmouth in 1940, she grew up near the city of Liverpool and began her professional life as a teacher.
Her love of the stage inspired her to pursue acting on a side basis, and in 1957 she had a cameo role as a nurse in the TV series Emergency Ward 10.
She starred in the film Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966, portraying an imaginary performer in a London adult entertainment venue, the Windmill Theater.
After a number of stage roles, she used her Liverpool accent to land a role on the show The Liver Birds.
Her acting career that she met her husband John Alderton. They wed in 1969 and had a family of three, Nicholas, Kate, and Richard.
Alderton and Collins starred together in a variety of screen projects, such as the series Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she portrayed a servant in the acclaimed ITV program.
