Pauline Collins, celebrated actress known for her role in Willy Russell’s play “Shirley Valentine,” passed away at the age of 85 after battling Parkinson’s disease. The announcement was made on November 6, 2025. Collins’s career was marked by her remarkable ability to embody relatable, down-to-earth characters, a trait that resonated with audiences throughout her long and varied career.
Collins first encountered the script of “Shirley Valentine” while reflecting on the intense monologue that would require her to perform solo for over two hours. Without hesitation, she embraced the challenge, connecting deeply with the character of a middle-aged Liverpool housewife seeking to rediscover herself. This connection was rooted in her own upbringing in Wallasey, making the role even more poignant. Directed by Simon Callow, the play premiered in London’s West End in January 1988, where it garnered rave reviews and earned Collins a Laurence Olivier award for best actress. A year later, she starred on Broadway, winning a Tony award for her performance.
Paramount acquired the film rights and sought to cast Cher in the title role, but director Lewis Gilbert insisted on Collins, prompting a pivotal audition for studio executives that cemented her place in cinema history. The film adaptation utilized beautiful Greek locations and transformed Shirley’s journey into a universal tale of self-exploration that resonated with many women. Collins’s portrayal won her multiple accolades, including a Bafta, and earned her nominations for an Oscar and Golden Globe.
Despite her success, Collins chose to prioritize her family, often working in British television alongside her husband, John Alderton, in series such as “Forever Green.” She made a conscious decision to turn down roles that would typecast her as Shirley Valentine, focusing instead on family life while raising her three children.
Her distinguished career also included varied performances on television and film, including notable roles in Dickens adaptations and a return to “Doctor Who,” showcasing her versatility beyond the comedic and heartwarming roles that defined her early career. Collins’s character in “Bleak House” and her appearance in the BBC series “Dickensian” further demonstrated her range.
Though she did not pursue Hollywood’s blockbuster scene aggressively, she returned to prominence with Dustin Hoffman’s directorial debut in “Quartet,” delivering a heartfelt performance that reinforced her talent. Collins’s last film, “The Time of Their Lives,” provided a fitting conclusion to her career, where she co-starred with Joan Collins, embracing a charming narrative of adventure and friendship.
Born in 1940 in Exmouth, Devon, and raised in Wallasey, Collins’s journey as an actress was shaped by her early experiences and a deep commitment to her craft and family. She is survived by her husband, their three children, and a daughter whom she had given up for adoption in her youth. Collins’s legacy remains one of resilience, authenticity, and the celebration of ordinary lives in extraordinary circumstances, making her a beloved figure in British entertainment history.