Joan Plowright, an iconic British actress famed for her extensive contributions to stage and screen, has passed away at the age of 95, as confirmed by her family on January 17, 2025. Her family stated that she died peacefully on January 16, surrounded by loved ones, a sentiment echoed in various reports by USA Today and Reuters.

Plowright began her illustrious career with her debut in the 1956 film "Moby Dick" and gained fame for her role in the 1960 adaptation of "The Entertainer", where she starred alongside Laurence Olivier, who later became her husband. Over her remarkable career, Plowright was honored with two Golden Globe Awards and a prestigious Tony Award, alongside nominations for an Academy Award, an Emmy, and two BAFTA Awards.

Her family reflected on her long and glorious career, stating, “She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire.” She stepped back from acting in 2014, but her legacy remains in classics like "Enchanted April", "Tea with Mussolini", "101 Dalmatians", and "Drowning by Numbers".

Recalling her experience as a female lead, Plowright once expressed her joy in portraying Beatie Bryant in the groundbreaking 1959 stage production "Roots", reflecting, “Beatie is the centre of attention, the centre of the story instead of being on the side.” Plowright's remarkable contributions to the arts will be fondly remembered.

For more details, you can read the full articles on USA Today and Reuters.