Pauline Collins: A Tribute to the Shirley Valentine Star
Veteran British actor Pauline Collins has passed away in London at the age of 85. She is best remembered for her iconic role in Shirley Valentine, which earned her critical acclaim and several prestigious awards.
Battle with Parkinson's Disease and Passing
Collins had been battling Parkinson's disease for several years. According to the BBC, she died
“peacefully”at her London care home, surrounded by her family.
Career Highlights
Pauline Collins is famed for portraying the angry housewife Shirley in Lewis Gilbert's film adaptation of Shirley Valentine, based on Willy Russell's acclaimed stage play. Although she did not win the Oscar for which she was nominated, she received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA Award for the same role.
- Born in Exmouth in 1940 and raised near Liverpool
- Initially trained as a teacher before pursuing acting in the late 1950s
- Made her screen debut in 1957 with a cameo in the British medical drama Emergency Ward 10
- Featured in films like Secrets of a Windmill Girl (1966), playing a dancer in a London striptease club
- Gained TV fame through appearances in The Liver Birds and Upstairs, Downstairs, becoming a familiar face across the UK
- Achieved international recognition with Shirley Valentine, first performing the role on stage at London's Vaudeville Theatre in 1988
Legacy
Pauline Collins leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances and a groundbreaking career that brought her both national and international recognition.
Author's summary: Pauline Collins, an acclaimed British actress known for Shirley Valentine, passed away at 85 after a long battle with Parkinson’s, leaving an enduring impact on film and theatre.