Dame Joan Plowright, award winning actress dies, aged 95
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Plowright was the widow of Laurence Olivier. Award-winning actress Dame Joan Plowright, widow of Lord Laurence Olivier, has died at the age of 95, her family has announced. A statement said: “It is with great sadness that the family of Dame Joan Plowright, the Lady Olivier, inform you that she passed away peacefully on January 16 2025 surrounded by her family at Denville Hall aged 95.
![[Joan Plowright, her husband Sir Lawrence Olivier, Lady Redgrave and Sir John Mills in 1985]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/17/10/SEI236270716.jpg)
“She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire. “She cherished her last 10 years in Sussex with constant visits from friends and family, filled with much laughter and fond memories.
![[Joan Plowright with Peter O’Toole in 2000]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/17/09/SEI236270704.jpg)
“The family are deeply grateful to Jean Wilson and all those involved in her personal care over many years. “Joan is survived by her loving family: Tamsin and Wilf, Julie-Kate and Dan, Richard, Shelley, Troy, Ali, Jeremy, step-granddaughter and great granddaughter Kaya and Sophia, and great grand-daughter soon to arrive.
![[Sir Laurence Olivier in the role of Archie Rice, and Joan Plowright, 26, in the role of Jean, the Palace theatre, London, rehearsing for 'The Entertainer'.]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/17/10/5f12dfa2-5820-4793-8233-958742ffa8f6.jpg)
“The family ask you to please respect their request for privacy at this time. “We are so proud of all Joan did and who she was as a loving and deeply inclusive human being. “She survived her many challenges with Plowright grit and courageous determination to make the best of them, and that she certainly did.
“Rest in peace, Joan…”. Plowright, who officially retired in 2014 after becoming legally blind, is best known for her roles in Dennis the Menace, 101 Dalmatians and The Entertainer, as well as Enchanted April, which earned her an Oscar nomination in 1993.
