🔗 Share this article The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Star of the Film Shirley Valentine, Dies at 85 Pauline Collins, best known for her performance in the movie Shirley Valentine, has passed away at the age of 85. She died peacefully in her London care home, in the company of her family after battling Parkinson's for several years, according to her family. Her legacy will be defined for her portrayal of disgruntled housewife Shirley in the director's award-winning film, based on the celebrated theatrical production by Willy Russell. Her critically acclaimed performance won her the Golden Globe for outstanding actress as well as a BAFTA award. 'Witty Presence' Collins starred opposite her spouse John Alderton in the series Upstairs Downstairs, appearing from 1971 to 1973 Collins' family said in a statement: "She was a multifaceted person to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her career. An intelligent, lively, and humorous figure on theater and film. 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 part she completely owned. We knew all those parts of her because her charm was embedded in every single role." They added she was their "devoted mother, our beloved grandmother and great-grandma", and her husband John Alderton's "life-long love" "Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was constantly supportive," they expressed, appreciating her caregivers, who cared for her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection" "She could not have had a more peaceful goodbye. We ask that you recall her at the peak of her career; so joyful and full of energy; and give us the space and privacy to contemplate a life without her" New York Theater Collins first played the lead part of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theatre in London in 1988. She received that year's Olivier Award for best actress. The following year she returned to the character on Broadway, New York, where she picked up numerous prizes including a prestigious Tony award. The film of the same name was released later that year. Additional movie roles included 1991's City of Joy with actor Patrick Swayze, filmed in Calcutta, which brought her wider recognition globally. A native of Exmouth in 1940, she grew up near Liverpool and began her professional life as a educator. Her love of the stage inspired her to pursue acting on a side basis, and in 1957 she had a cameo role as a medical attendant 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 used her Liverpool accent to land a role on The Liver Birds. It was through acting that she encountered her spouse John Alderton. They wed 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 ITV's popular series.