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 passed away at the age of 85.
Her passing was peaceful in her London care home, surrounded by her loved ones after living with Parkinson's disease for a number of years, as stated by her family.
Her legacy will be defined for her portrayal of disgruntled housewife Shirley in the director's acclaimed motion picture, adapted from the acclaimed stage play by Willy Russell.
Her praised acting won her the Golden Globe for outstanding actress as well as a BAFTA award.
'Charming and Witty'
Collins' family released a statement saying: "Pauline was so many things to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her life. A bright, sparky, witty presence on theater and film. Her illustrious career saw her play politicians, mothers and queens."
"She will always be remembered as the legendary, determined, lively, and insightful Shirley Valentine - a role that she made all her own. We were familiar with 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"
"Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was always there for us," they said, appreciating her carers, who looked after her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection"
"She experienced a calmer departure. 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"
Broadway Role
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 best actress.
The following year she reprised the role on Broadway, New York, where she earned several awards including a prestigious Tony award.
The film of the same name was launched shortly after.
Additional movie roles included the 1991 film City of Joy with Patrick Swayze, shot in Kolkata, which gained her international fame worldwide.
A native of Exmouth in 1940, Collins was raised near 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 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 Theater.
After a number of stage roles, she employed her regional dialect to land a role on The Liver Birds.
It was through acting that she encountered her spouse John Alderton. They married in 1969 and had three children, their sons and daughter.
The couple performed alongside each other in a number of television and film roles, such as Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she played a maid in the acclaimed ITV program.
