🔗 Share this article The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Lead Actress of Shirley Valentine, Dies at 85 Pauline Collins, widely recognized for her role in the film Shirley Valentine, has died at the age of 85. Her passing was peaceful in her London residence, surrounded by her family after living with Parkinson's disease for several years, as stated by her relatives. Her legacy will be defined for her portrayal of disgruntled housewife Shirley in the director's award-winning motion picture, based on the celebrated stage play by playwright Willy Russell. Her praised acting also earned her the Golden Globe Award for best actress as well as a Bafta. 'Witty Presence' She appeared with her husband John Alderton in Upstairs Downstairs, appearing from 1971 to 1973 Her relatives released a statement saying: "Pauline was so many things to countless individuals, portraying diverse characters in her life. An intelligent, lively, and humorous figure on theater and film. Her distinguished work saw her portray leaders, parents, and royalty." "Her memory will endure as the legendary, determined, lively, and insightful Shirley Valentine - a role that she made all her own. We were familiar with all those aspects of her personality because her charm was embedded in each one of them." They added she was their "devoted mother, our wonderful grandma and great-grandma", and actor John Alderton's "life-long love" "Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was always there for us," they said, thanking her caregivers, who looked after her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection" "She could not have had a calmer departure. We ask that you recall her at the height of her powers; so joyful and full of energy; and allow us privacy to reflect on life in her absence" New York Theater Collins first played the lead part of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theater in the UK capital in 1988. She received that year's Olivier Award for outstanding actress. The following year she reprised the role on the New York stage, where she picked up numerous prizes including a prestigious Tony award. The movie adaptation was launched shortly after. Additional movie roles included 1991's City of Joy with Patrick Swayze, filmed in Calcutta, which gained her international fame worldwide. Born in Exmouth in 1940, Collins was raised near Liverpool and started out her career as a teacher. Her passion for theater led her to take up acting on a part-time basis, and in 1957 she appeared briefly as a medical attendant in the TV series Emergency Ward 10. She starred in the film Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966, portraying an imaginary performer in a London adult entertainment venue, the Windmill Theatre. Following several theater parts, she employed her regional dialect to secure a part on The Liver Birds. It was through acting that she met her husband John Alderton. They married in 1969 and had a family of three, Nicholas, Kate, and Richard. The couple performed together in a number of television and film roles, such as the series Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she played a maid in the acclaimed ITV program.