History of Joan Plowright in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: January 18, 2025

Dame Joan Plowright, a highly celebrated English actress, enjoyed a career spanning over six decades. Her exceptional talent earned her numerous prestigious awards, including two Golden Globe Awards, an Olivier Award, and a Tony Award. She also garnered nominations for an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award. Her significant contributions to the arts were further recognized in 2004 when Queen Elizabeth II bestowed upon her the title of Dame. She was lauded for her work on both stage and screen.

October 1929: Birth of Joan Plowright

Joan Plowright was born in Brigg, Lincolnshire, in October 1929.

October 1929: Birth and Family Background

Joan Plowright was born in October 1929 to William Ernest Plowright, a journalist and newspaper editor, and Daisy Margaret (née Burton).

1948: Stage Debut

Joan Plowright made her stage debut in Croydon in 1948.

September 1953: Marriage to Roger Gage

Joan Plowright married actor Roger Gage in September 1953.

1954: London Stage Debut

Plowright made her London stage debut in 1954.

1956: Joins English Stage Company

In 1956, Plowright joined the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre, performing in various plays including "The Country Wife", "The Chairs", "Major Barbara", and "Saint Joan".

1956: Film Debut in Moby Dick

Joan Plowright made her uncredited film debut in "Moby Dick" in 1956.

1957: The Entertainer

In 1957, Joan Plowright took over the role of Jean Rice from Dorothy Tutin in "The Entertainer", co-starring with Laurence Olivier.

1958: The Entertainer (Broadway)

Plowright and Olivier reprised their roles in "The Entertainer" on Broadway in 1958.

1960: BAFTA Nomination for The Entertainer

Joan Plowright received a BAFTA nomination for her role in the film adaptation of "The Entertainer" in 1960.

1960: Film: The Entertainer

Plowright appeared in the 1960 film adaptation of "The Entertainer".

1961: Marriage to Laurence Olivier

Following her divorce from Gage, Plowright married Laurence Olivier in 1961.

1961: Tony Award for A Taste of Honey

In 1961, Joan Plowright won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her performance in "A Taste of Honey".

1963: Association with the National Theatre

Beginning in 1963, Joan Plowright became closely associated with Laurence Olivier's work at the National Theatre.

1963: Film: Uncle Vanya

Plowright appeared in the film "Uncle Vanya" in 1963.

1970: CBE Award

Joan Plowright was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 1970.

1970: Film: Three Sisters

Plowright starred in the film adaptation of Chekhov's "Three Sisters" in 1970.

1977: BAFTA Nomination for Equus

Plowright was nominated for a BAFTA Award for her performance in "Equus" in 1977.

1978: Laurence Olivier Award for Filumena

Plowright won the Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in "Filumena" in 1978.

1989: Death of Laurence Olivier

Laurence Olivier, Plowright's second husband, passed away in 1989.

1990: Film: Avalon

Plowright appeared in the film "Avalon" in 1990.

1991: Golden Globe and Academy Award Nomination for Enchanted April

In 1991, Plowright won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in "Enchanted April".

1992: Golden Globe and Academy Award Nomination for Enchanted April and Golden Globe and Emmy Nomination for Stalin

In 1992, Plowright won a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for "Enchanted April" and another Golden Globe and an Emmy Award nomination for "Stalin". She became the second actress to win two Golden Globes in the same year.

1992: Golden Globe and Emmy Nomination for Stalin

Joan Plowright won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Emmy for her performance in the television film "Stalin" in 1992.

1993: Film: Dennis the Menace

Joan Plowright played a role in the film "Dennis the Menace" in 1993.

1994: Women in Film Crystal Award

Joan Plowright received the Women in Film Crystal Award in 1994.

1995: Film: The Scarlet Letter

Joan Plowright starred in the film "The Scarlet Letter" in 1995.

1996: Films: 101 Dalmatians and Jane Eyre

In 1996, Plowright appeared in two films: "101 Dalmatians" and "Jane Eyre".

1996: Film: 101 Dalmatians

Plowright played Nanny in the film "101 Dalmatians" in 1996.

1999: Film: Tea with Mussolini

Plowright appeared in the film "Tea with Mussolini" in 1999.

2000: Voice Role in Dinosaur

Plowright provided a voice role for the animated film "Dinosaur" in 2000.

2003: Stage Performance: Absolutely! (Perhaps)

In 2003, Joan Plowright performed in the stage production "Absolutely! (Perhaps)" in London.

2003: Film: Bringing Down the House

Plowright appeared in the film "Bringing Down the House" in 2003.

2004: Damehood

Joan Plowright was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2004.

2005: Film: Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont

Joan Plowright starred in "Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont" in 2005.

2006: Voice Role in Curious George

Joan Plowright lent her voice to the animated film "Curious George" in 2006.

2006: Death of David Plowright

Joan Plowright's younger brother, David Plowright, passed away in 2006.

March 2009: Honorary President of the English Stage Company

Plowright became the honorary president of the English Stage Company in March 2009.

2014: Retirement from Acting

Due to macular degeneration, Joan Plowright retired from acting in 2014.

2018: Documentary: Nothing Like a Dame

Joan Plowright's final filmed appearance was in the documentary "Nothing Like a Dame" in 2018.

2018: Final Film Appearance in Nothing Like a Dame

Plowright made her final filmed appearance in the documentary "Nothing Like a Dame" in 2018.

2024: Recognition for Two Golden Globes in One Year

As of 2024, Joan Plowright was one of only four actresses to have won two Golden Globe Awards in the same year (1992).

January 2025: Death of Joan Plowright

Joan Plowright died at Denville Hall in Northwood in January 2025.

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