The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Lead Actress of Shirley Valentine, Passes Away at Eighty-Five Years Old
The celebrated actress Pauline Collins, widely recognized for her role in the film Shirley Valentine, has passed away at the eighty-five years old.
She died peacefully in her London care home, surrounded by her loved ones after battling Parkinson's for a number of years, as stated by her family.
Collins will be best remembered for her depiction of unhappy homemaker Shirley in Lewis Gilbert's acclaimed film, based on the acclaimed theatrical production by playwright 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 said in a statement: "She was a multifaceted person to countless individuals, playing a variety of roles in her life. A bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen. Her distinguished work saw her play politicians, mothers and queens."
"She will always be remembered as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine - a part she completely owned. We were familiar with all those parts of her because her charm was embedded in every single role."
They added she was their "devoted mother, our beloved grandmother and great-grandma", and actor John Alderton's "life-long love"
"Kind, humorous, giving, considerate, intelligent, she was constantly supportive," they expressed, appreciating her caregivers, who looked after her with "dignity, compassion, and most of all love"
"She could not have had a more peaceful goodbye. We hope you will remember her at the peak of her career; 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.
A year later she returned to the character on Broadway, New York, where she picked up numerous prizes including a prestigious Tony award.
The movie adaptation was launched shortly after.
Her other films included 1991's City of Joy with Patrick Swayze, filmed in Calcutta, which gained her international fame worldwide.
A native of 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 appeared briefly as a nurse 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 adult entertainment venue, the Windmill Theater.
After a number of stage roles, she used her Liverpool accent to secure a part on The Liver Birds.
Her acting career that she encountered her spouse John Alderton. They wed in 1969 and had a family of three, their sons and daughter.
Alderton and Collins starred together in a variety of screen projects, such as Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she played a maid in ITV's popular series.
