Biography for
Joan Plowright More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

28 October 1929, Brigg, North Lincolnshire, England, UK

Birth Name

Joan Ann Plowright

Height

5' 4½" (1.64 m)

Spouse

Laurence Olivier	(17 March 1961 - 11 July 1989) (his death) 3 children
Roger Gage	(1953 - 1960) (divorced)

Trivia

She was awarded CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 1970 for her services to drama.

Mother of director Richard Olivier.

Sister of David Plowright, CBE, who was Chairman of Granada TV Ltd. until 1992 when he was ousted by Gerry Robinson, the current Chairman and former Chief Executive.

Lady Olivier since 1961, after Sir Laurence Olivier divorced Vivien Leigh. They became Baron and Baroness Olivier in 1970.

She bore her second husband Laurence Olivier three children - a son Richard Olivier (an actor and director) and two actress daughters Tamsin Olivier and Julie Kate Olivier.

She was awarded Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2004 New Year's Honours List for her services to drama.

She was awarded the 1986 London Critics Circle Theatre Award (Drama Theatre Award) for Best Actress for her performance in The House of Barnarda Alba.

Became an Associate Member of RADA.

Won Broadway's 1961 Tony Award as Best Actress (Dramatic) for "A Taste of Honey."

Personal Quotes

"I have always resented the comments that it was I who was the homewrecker of Larry's marriage to Vivien Leigh. Danny Kaye was attached to Larry far earlier than I."

"If a man is touched by genius, he is not an ordinary person. He doesn't lead an ordinary life. He has extremes of behaviour which you understand and you just find a way not to be swept overboard by his demons." - On Laurence Olivier

Where Are They Now

(July 2003) Currently appearing in "Absolutely! {perhaps}" in London with Oliver Ford Davies.

(May 2009) Covent Garden, London, England

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