Joan Plowright

Joan Ann Plowright (born October 28, 1929 in Brigg, North Lincolnshire, England) is a British actress, widow of Lord Sir Laurence Olivier. In addition to being Lady Olivier, she was made a Dame (DBE) in her own right in the New Year's Honours for 2004. Her brother was an executive at Granada Television before he got the boot from Gerry Robinson, "the wealthiest Irishman in Britain", who ironically (although born and raised in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland until the age of 12), was awarded a (non-honorary) knighthood in the same New Year's Honours (2004) as Lady Joan.

Career

Long known as a superb theatre actress, Plowright trained at the Old Vic in London and made her stage debut in 1951 and her London debut in 1954. In 1956 she joined the English Theatre Company and won the role of Margery Pincher in The Country Wife. She appeared in The Chairs (by Eugène Ionesco), Major Barbara, Saint Joan, and in 1958 she co-starred with future husband Sir Laurence Olivier in the original London production of John Osborne's The Entertainer.

Related Topics:
Old Vic - London - 1951 - 1954 - 1956 - English Theatre Company - The Country Wife - Eugène Ionesco - Major Barbara - Saint Joan - 1958 - Laurence Olivier - John Osborne - The Entertainer

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Plowright continued to appear on stage and in films such as The Entertainer and The Three Sisters. In 1961 she was awarded a Tony for her role in A Taste of Honey on Broadway. After a brief hiatus to devote time to her family she has returned to the screen and can be seen in films such as Dennis the Menace, Enchanted April and Tea With Mussolini.

Related Topics:
The Entertainer - The Three Sisters - 1961 - Tony - A Taste of Honey - Broadway - Dennis the Menace - Enchanted April - Tea With Mussolini

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As of July 2003 she was performing in the stage production Absolutely! (perhaps) in London.

Related Topics:
Absolutely! (perhaps) - London

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