🔗 Share this article The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Lead Actress of the Film Shirley Valentine, Dies at the Age of 85 Pauline Collins, widely recognized for her performance in the movie Shirley Valentine, has died at the eighty-five years old. She died peacefully in her London residence, in the company of her family after battling Parkinson's disease for several years, as stated by her family. Her legacy will be defined for her depiction of disgruntled housewife Shirley in the director's award-winning film, based on the acclaimed stage play by playwright Willy Russell. Her critically acclaimed performance won her the Golden Globe for best actress as well as a BAFTA award. 'Witty Presence' She appeared with her spouse John Alderton in the series Upstairs Downstairs, featured between 1971 to 1973 Her relatives said in a statement: "Pauline was so many things to countless individuals, portraying diverse characters in her career. An intelligent, lively, and humorous figure on stage and screen. Her distinguished work saw her portray leaders, parents, and royalty." "She will always be remembered as the legendary, determined, lively, and insightful Shirley Valentine - a role that she made all her own. We were familiar with all those parts of her because her charm was embedded in every single role." The statement continued she was their "loving mum, our beloved grandmother and great-grandma", and actor John Alderton's "eternal partner" "Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was always there for us," they expressed, thanking her carers, who cared for her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection" "She could not have had a more peaceful goodbye. We hope you will remember her at the height of her powers; so joyful and full of energy; and give us the space and privacy to reflect on life in her absence" Broadway Role She initially performed the title role of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theatre in London in 1988. She won that year's Olivier award for best actress. A year later she returned to the character on the New York stage, where she picked up numerous prizes including a esteemed Tony Award. The movie adaptation was released later that year. Her other films included 1991's City of Joy with Patrick Swayze, filmed in Calcutta, which brought her wider recognition worldwide. Born in Exmouth in 1940, she grew up near Liverpool and started out her career as a teacher. Her love of the stage led her to take up acting on a side basis, and in 1957 she appeared briefly as a nurse in the Emergency Ward 10. She starred in the film Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966, playing a fictional dancer in a London adult entertainment venue, the Windmill Theatre. Following several theater parts, she employed her regional dialect to secure a part on the show The Liver Birds. Her acting career that she met her husband John Alderton. They married in 1969 and had three children, their sons and daughter. The couple performed alongside each other in a number of television and film roles, such as Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she played a maid in the acclaimed ITV program.