🔗 Share this article Pauline Collins, Star of Shirley Valentine, Dies at the Age of 85 The celebrated actress Pauline Collins, widely recognized for her performance in the movie Shirley Valentine, has passed away at the age of 85. She died peacefully in her London residence, surrounded by her family after living with Parkinson's for a number of years, according to her relatives. 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 praised acting won her the Golden Globe Award for best actress along with a Bafta. 'Witty Presence' 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 so many people, 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 iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise 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 every single role." They added she was their "loving mum, our beloved grandmother and great-grandma", and her husband John Alderton's "life-long love" "Kind, humorous, giving, considerate, intelligent, she was constantly supportive," they said, appreciating her carers, who cared for her with "respect, empathy, and above all affection" "She could not have had a calmer departure. We ask that you recall her at the peak of her career; radiant and energetic; and give us the space and privacy to contemplate a life without her" Broadway Role Collins first played the lead part of Shirley Valentine at the Vaudeville Theater in the UK capital in 1988. She won 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 film of the same name was released later that year. Additional movie roles included the 1991 film City of Joy with actor Patrick Swayze, shot in Kolkata, which brought her wider recognition globally. A native of 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 part-time 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 employed her regional dialect to secure a part on The Liver Birds. Her acting career that she encountered her spouse John Alderton. They married in 1969 and had a family of three, their sons and daughter. Alderton and Collins starred together in a number of television and film roles, such as the series Upstairs, Downstairs, in which she portrayed a servant in the acclaimed ITV program.