British actress Pauline Collins, best known for her Oscar-nominated role in 'Shirley Valentine,' has died at the age of 85. She passed away peacefully on November 6, 2025, in a London care home surrounded by family, after several years with Parkinson's disease. Collins' career spanned stage, screen, and television, earning her widespread acclaim.
Career Highlights
Pauline Collins rose to prominence with her portrayal of the titular character in the 1988 one-woman play 'Shirley Valentine,' which she reprised on Broadway and in the 1989 film adaptation. Directed by Lewis Gilbert, the story follows a bored housewife who rediscovers herself during a trip to Greece. For her performance, Collins received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical, and earlier secured Olivier and Tony awards for the stage version.
Born in Exmouth, Devon, Collins trained at London's Central School of Speech and Drama after working as a teacher. She made her West End debut in 1962's 'Passion Flower Hotel' and appeared in her first film, 'Secrets of a Windmill Girl,' in 1966. Notable television roles included Samantha Briggs in the 1967 'Doctor Who' serial 'The Faceless Ones' alongside Patrick Troughton and the recurring character Sarah in the 1970s series 'Upstairs, Downstairs.' Later, she starred in ITV's 'Forever Green' from 1989 to 1992.
In 2001, Collins was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to drama.
Family Statement and Survivors
Collins' family shared a heartfelt tribute with the BBC: "Pauline was so many things to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her life. A bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen. Her illustrious career saw her play politicians, mothers and queens. She will always be remembered as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine – a role that she made all her own. We were familiar with all those parts of her because her magic was contained in each one of them."
She is survived by her husband, actor John Alderton, and their three children: Nicholas, Kate, and Richard.