Plowright, Joan (1929–)

English actress. Name variations: Lady Olivier. Born Joan Anne Plowright, Oct 28, 1929, in Brigg, Lincolnshire, England; dau. of Ernest Plowright (newspaper editor) and Daisy Margaret (Burton) Plowright; graduate of Old Vic drama school; m. Roger Gage (actor), 1953 (div. 1960); m. Laurence Olivier (actor), Mar 17, 1961 (died 1989); children: (with Olivier) daughters Tamsin Olivier and Julie-Kate Olivier; son Richard Olivier.

One of Britain's most acclaimed actresses, made stage debut at Grand Theatre in Croydon(1951), in If Four Walls Told; joined Bristol Old Vic and toured South Africa; made London debut as Donna Clara in musical version of Sheridan's The Duenna (1954); received 1st critical notice as the cabin boy in Orson Welles' film of Moby Dick (1955); came to prominence asMargery Pinchwife in revival of The Country Wife (1956); replaced Dorothy Tutin in The Entertainer, opposite Laurence Olivier (1957); made a stunning NY debut in double bill of Ionesco's The Chairs and The Lesson (1958); back in England, was notable in title role of Major Barbara and as Beatie Bryant in Roots; also appeared with Olivier in Rhinoceros(1960); created some of her most memorable roles with National Theatre at the Old Vic, including title role in Saint Joan (1963), Beatrice in Much Ado (1967), Masha in Three Sisters (1967), Portia in The Merchant of Venice (1970), and Rosa in Saturday, Sunday, Monday (1973); with Lyric Theatre, alternated role of Irena Arkadina in The Seagull with that of Alma in The Bed Before Yesterday (1975); also appeared in Filumena; reprised several of her best stage roles in films, notably Jean Rice in The Entertainer (1960), Sonya in Uncle Vanya (1963), and Masha in Three Sisters (1970); other films include Equus (1977), Brimstone and Treacle (1982), Enchanted April (1992), The Summer House (1993), 101 Dalmations (1996) and Tea with Mussolini (1998). Received Tony Award as the Best Dramatic Actress for A Taste of Honey (1961).

See also Women in World History.