Pauline Collins: A Tribute to the Shirley Valentine Star
Veteran British actress Pauline Collins has passed away at the age of 85 in London. Collins, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in Shirley Valentine, had been battling Parkinson's disease for several years.
According to a BBC report, Collins died “peacefully” at her London care home, surrounded by her family.
Career Highlights
Pauline Collins is most celebrated for her iconic portrayal of the angry housewife Shirley in Lewis Gilbert's film Shirley Valentine, which was adapted from Willy Russell’s acclaimed stage play. Though she missed winning the Oscar, she earned the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA Award for the role.
Born in Exmouth in 1940 and raised near Liverpool, Collins originally trained as a teacher before pursuing acting in the late 1950s. Her screen debut appeared as a nurse in the British medical drama Emergency Ward 10 in 1957.
She built her career with notable roles such as a dancer in the 1966 film Secrets of a Windmill Girl, set in a London striptease club. Her rise to fame continued with television successes including The Liver Birds and Upstairs, Downstairs, which earned her household recognition across the UK.
Her major international acclaim came from Shirley Valentine, first performed on stage at London’s Vaudeville Theatre in 1988 before being adapted into the well-known film.
Legacy
Pauline Collins leaves behind a remarkable legacy as an actress who brought depth and humor to her unforgettable characters.
“Pauline Collins' talent and warmth made her a cherished figure in British theatre and film.”
Author’s summary: Pauline Collins, a beloved British actress known for her role in Shirley Valentine, passed away at 85 after a long illness, leaving a lasting legacy in film and theatre.