The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Lead Actress of Shirley Valentine, Dies at 85
Pauline Collins, widely recognized for her performance in the movie Shirley Valentine, has passed away at the age of 85.
She died peacefully in her London residence, in the company of her family after battling Parkinson's disease for several years, according to her family.
Collins will be best remembered for her depiction of disgruntled housewife Shirley in Lewis Gilbert's award-winning motion picture, based on the acclaimed stage play by playwright Willy Russell.
Her praised acting also earned her the Golden Globe Award for best actress along with a Bafta.
'Charming and Witty'
Her relatives released a statement saying: "She was a multifaceted person to countless individuals, portraying diverse characters in her life. An intelligent, lively, and humorous figure on theater and film. Her distinguished work saw her portray leaders, parents, and royalty."
"She will always be remembered as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine - a part she completely owned. We knew all those parts of her because her magic was contained in each one of them."
The statement continued 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 always there for us," they said, thanking her caregivers, who looked after her with "dignity, compassion, and most of all love"
"She experienced a more peaceful goodbye. We ask that you recall her at the height of her powers; radiant and energetic; and allow us privacy to contemplate a life without her"
New York Theater
She initially performed the lead part of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theater in the UK capital in 1988. She won that year's Olivier award for outstanding actress.
The following year she reprised the role on Broadway, New York, where she earned several awards including a esteemed Tony Award.
The film of the same name was launched shortly after.
Additional movie roles included 1991's City of Joy with actor Patrick Swayze, shot in Kolkata, which brought her wider recognition globally.
Born in Exmouth in 1940, she grew up near Liverpool and began her professional life as a teacher.
Her passion for theater inspired her to pursue acting on a part-time basis, and in 1957 she had a cameo role as a nurse in the Emergency Ward 10.
She starred 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 show The Liver Birds.
It was through acting that she encountered her spouse John Alderton. They wed in 1969 and had a family of three, their sons and daughter.
The couple performed together in a variety of screen projects, such as Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she played a maid in ITV's popular series.
