🔗 Share this article The Renowned Actress Pauline Collins, Star of Shirley Valentine, Passes Away at 85 Pauline Collins, best known for her performance in the film Shirley Valentine, has passed away at the eighty-five years old. She died peacefully in her London residence, surrounded by her family after battling Parkinson's disease for a number of years, as stated by her family. Her legacy will be defined for her portrayal of disgruntled housewife Shirley in Lewis Gilbert's acclaimed motion picture, 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. 'Sparkling Personality' Collins starred opposite her husband John Alderton in Upstairs Downstairs, featured between 1971 to 1973 Her relatives released a statement saying: "Pauline was so many things to countless individuals, portraying diverse characters in her career. A bright, sparky, witty presence 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 knew all those aspects of her personality because her magic was contained in each one of them." The statement continued she was their "loving mum, our beloved grandmother and great-grandmother", and actor John Alderton's "eternal partner" "Kind, humorous, giving, considerate, intelligent, she was always there for us," they said, appreciating her carers, who cared for her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection" "She experienced a calmer departure. 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 lead part of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theater in London in 1988. She won that year's Olivier award for best actress. A year later she reprised the role on the New York stage, where she picked up numerous prizes including a esteemed Tony Award. The film of the same name was launched shortly after. Her other films included 1991's City of Joy with Patrick Swayze, shot in Kolkata, which brought her wider recognition globally. 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 medical attendant in the TV series Emergency Ward 10. She featured in the film Secrets of a Windmill Girl in 1966, playing a fictional dancer in a London striptease nightclub, the Windmill Theatre. After a number of stage roles, 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 a family of three, Nicholas, Kate, and Richard. The couple performed together in a variety of screen projects, such as Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she portrayed a servant in ITV's popular series.