Who is Joan Plowright?

Joan Plowright, also known as Baroness Olivier, is a celebrated British actress renowned for her remarkable contributions to stage and screen. With a career spanning over seven decades. She has earned a reputation as one of the most versatile and accomplished performers of her time. Known for her nuanced portrayals and commanding presence, Plowright has been a key figure in British theater and cinema. Often associated with her illustrious marriage to actor Laurence Olivier.
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Name | Joan Plowright |
Date of Birth | October 28, 1929 |
Place of Birth | Brigg, Lincolnshire, England |
Parents | NA |
Education | Bristol Old Vic Theatre School |
Occupation | Actress |
Notable Cases | A Taste of Honey, Saint Joan, The Entertainer, Enchanted April |
Awards and Honors | Tony Award, two Golden Globes, Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) |
Personal Life | Married to Roger Gage (1953-1960) and Laurence Olivier (1961-1989) |
Another Name | The Right Honourable The Lady Olivier, DBE |
Profession | Actress |
Height | NA |
Weight | NA |
Eye Colour | NA |
Hair Colour | NA |
Debut | 1948 (If Four Walls Told) |
Date of Birth | October 28, 1929 |
Age | 95 (at the time of her death) |
Birthplace | Brigg, Lincolnshire, England |
Zodiac sign | Scorpio |
Nationality | British |
Hometown | Brigg, Lincolnshire, England |
School | Not publicly available |
College/University | Bristol Old Vic Theatre School |
Educational Qualification | Theatre Arts |
Food Habit | NA |
Hobby | NA |
Marital Status | Previously married |
Affairs/Girlfriend | NA |
Spouse | Roger Gage (m. 1953; div. 1960), Laurence Olivier (m. 1961; died 1989) |
Parents | NA |
Siblings | David Plowright (brother) |
Car Collections | NA |
Bike Collections | NA |
Salary/Income | NA |
Assets | NA |
Net Worth | NA |
NA | |
NA | |
NA | |
YouTube | Not NA |
IMDb | https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0687506/ |
Early Life Of Joan Plowright

Joan Plowright’s career took off in the 1950s when she joined the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre in London. She made her mark in productions such as “The Country Wife” and. “The Entertainer,” the latter leading to her first collaboration with Laurence Olivier. Joan transitioned seamlessly from theater to film, earning critical acclaim for performances in movies like. “The Entertainer” (1960) and “Enchanted April” (1991).
Her stage career remained stellar, with celebrated roles in Shakespearean productions and modern dramas. In later years, she showcased her versatility in films such as “Tea with Mussolini” (1999). And provided a warm presence in family-friendly movies like “Dennis the Menace” (1993).
Career Of Joan Plowright

Joan Plowright’s career took off in the 1950s when she joined the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre in London. She made her mark in productions such as “The Country Wife” and. “The Entertainer,” the latter leading to her first collaboration with Laurence Olivier. Joan transitioned seamlessly from theater to film, earning critical acclaim for performances in movies like “The Entertainer” (1960) and “Enchanted April” (1991).
Her stage career remained stellar, with celebrated roles in Shakespearean productions and modern dramas. In later years, she showcased her versatility in films such as “Tea with Mussolini” (1999) and provided a warm presence in family-friendly movies like “Dennis the Menace” (1993).
Films Of Joan Plowright
Film Title | Year | Role |
---|---|---|
Moby Dick Rehearsed | 1955 | A Young Actress |
Time Without Pity | 1957 | Agnes Cole |
The Entertainer | 1960 | Jean Rice |
Uncle Vanya | 1963 | Sonya |
Twelfth Night | 1969 | Viola |
Three Sisters | 1970 | Masha |
The Merchant of Venice | 1973 | Portia |
Equus | 1977 | Dora Strang |
Daphne Laureola | 1978 | Lady Pitts |
Saturday, Sunday, Monday | 1978 | Rosa |
The Diary of Anne Frank | 1980 | Edith Frank-Holländer |
Britannia Hospital | 1982 | Phyllis Grimshaw |
Brimstone and Treacle | 1982 | Norma Bates |
Revolution | 1985 | Mrs. Mcconnahay |
Drowning by Numbers | 1988 | Cissie Colpitts |
The Dressmaker | 1988 | Nellie |
I Love You to Death | 1990 | Nadja |
Avalon | 1990 | Eva Krichinsky |
Enchanted April | 1991 | Mrs. Fisher |
The House of Bernarda Alba | 1991 | Poncia |
Stalin | 1992 | Olga |
Dennis the Menace | 1993 | Martha Wilson |
Last Action Hero | 1993 | Teacher |
Widows’ Peak | 1994 | Mrs. Doyle-Counihan |
A Place for Annie | 1994 | Dorothy |
The Return of the Native | 1994 | Frau Yeobright |
The Scarlet Letter | 1995 | Harriet Hibbons |
Jane Eyre | 1996 | Mrs. Fairfax |
101 Dalmatians | 1996 | Nanny |
Surviving Picasso | 1996 | Françoise’s Grandmother |
Mr. Wrong | 1996 | Mrs. Crawford |
Dance with Me | 1998 | Bea Johnson |
Tea with Mussolini | 1999 | Mary Wallace |
Tom’s Midnight Garden | 1999 | Mrs. Bartholomew |
Dinosaur | 2000 | Baylene (voice) |
Back to the Secret Garden | 2000 | Martha Sowerby |
Frankie and Hazel | 2001 | Phoebe Harkness |
Callas Forever | 2002 | Sarah Keller |
I Am David | 2003 | Sophie |
Bringing Down the House | 2003 | Mrs. Virginia Arness |
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont | 2005 | Mrs. Palfrey |
Curious George | 2006 | Ms. Plushbottom (voice) |
George and the Dragon | 2004 | Mother Superior |
The Spiderwick Chronicles | 2008 | Aunt Lucinda Spiderwick |
Knife Edge | 2009 | Marjorie Blake |
Achievements Of Joan Plowright
Joan Plowright has received numerous accolades for her contributions to acting. She is a Tony Award winner for her performance in “A Taste of Honey” (1961) and a Golden Globe winner for “Stalin” (1992). Her work in cinema earned her BAFTA and Academy Award nominations, solidifying her status as a celebrated actress. In 1970, she was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and later elevated to Dame Commander (DBE) for her services to drama.
As a testament to her influence, Joan was named a UNESCO Artist for Peace in recognition of her dedication to the arts and humanitarian causes.
Family of Joan Plowright

Joan Plowright hailed from a close-knit family. Her father’s journalistic background and her mother’s musical talents nurtured her cultural sensibilities. Later, she built a family of her own with Laurence Olivier, whom she married in 1961. Together, they had three children: Richard, Tamsin, and Julie-Kate, all of whom inherited their parents’ artistic inclinations.
Relationships Of Joan Plowright
Joan Plowright’s most notable relationship was with Sir Laurence Olivier, one of the greatest actors of the 20th century. Their marriage was both a personal and professional partnership, with the two sharing the stage and screen in several productions. Despite Olivier’s larger-than-life persona. Joan carved out her own identity in the industry, balancing her roles as a wife, mother, and accomplished artist. Their union lasted until Olivier’s death in 1989, after which Joan remained devoted to her family and career.