Joan Plowright
Known for
Joan Plowright was an English actress born in Brigg, Lincolnshire, celebrated across a seven-decade stage and screen career that included an Olivier Award-winning stage legacy alongside her husband Laurence Olivier. On film she played Nanny in '101 Dalmatians' and voiced Baylene in Disney's 'Dinosaur', and appeared in 'The Spiderwick Chronicles' and 'Dennis the Menace'. Made a Dame of the British Empire, she was regarded as one of the great British theatrical actresses of her generation. She died in January 2025, remembered as one of the last great figures of postwar British theater.
Joan Plowright
44 Movies
7 Series
Joan Plowright was an English actress born in Brigg, Lincolnshire, celebrated across a seven-decade stage and screen career that included an Olivier Award-winning stage legacy alongside her husband Laurence Olivier. On film she played Nanny in '101 Dalmatians' and voiced Baylene in Disney's 'Dinosaur', and appeared in 'The Spiderwick Chronicles' and 'Dennis the Menace'. Made a Dame of the British Empire, she was regarded as one of the great British theatrical actresses of her generation. She died in January 2025, remembered as one of the last great figures of postwar British theater.
Movies
Plays Baylene (voice)
Dinosaur
2000
Plays Nanny
101 Dalmatians
1996
Plays Aunt Lucinda Spiderwick
The Spiderwick Chronicles
2008
Plays Teacher
Last Action Hero
1993
Plays Martha Wilson
Dennis the Menace
1993
Plays Ms. Plushbottom (voice)
Curious George
2006
Plays Harriet Hibbons
The Scarlet Letter
1995
Plays Mrs. Virginia Arness
Bringing Down the House
2003
Plays Eva Krichinsky
Avalon
1990
Plays Mrs. Doyle-Counihan
Widows' Peak
1994
Plays Mrs. Fairfax
Jane Eyre
1996
Plays Bea Johnson
Dance with Me
1998
Plays Nadja
I Love You to Death
1990
Plays Mother Superior
George and the Dragon
2004
Plays Mrs. McConnahay
Revolution
1985
Plays Sophie
I Am David
2003
Plays Françoise's Grandmother
Surviving Picasso
1996
Plays Mary Wallace
Tea with Mussolini
1999
Plays Viola
Twelfth Night
1970
Plays Dora Strang
Equus
1977
Plays Cissie Colpitts
Drowning by Numbers
1988
Plays Agnes Cole
Time Without Pity
1957
Plays Mrs Bartholomew
Tom's Midnight Garden
1999
Plays Mrs. Crawford
Mr. Wrong
1996
Plays Phyllis Grimshaw
Britannia Hospital
1982
Plays Mrs Fisher
Enchanted April
1991
Plays Martha Sowerby
Back to the Secret Garden
2000
Plays Mrs. Linzer
A Pyromaniac's Love Story
1995
Plays Sarah Keller
Callas Forever
2002
Plays Beatrice Fairfield
Goose on the Loose
2006
Plays Lady Bracknell
The Importance of Being Earnest
1988
Plays Jean Rice
The Entertainer
1960
Plays Norma Bates
Brimstone & Treacle
1982
Plays Mrs. Palfrey
Mrs Palfrey at The Claremont
2005
Plays Grandma
A Pin for the Butterfly
1995
Plays Lady Foxley
Global Heresy
2002
Plays Marjorie Blake
Knife Edge
2009
Plays Nellie
The Dressmaker
1988
Plays Masha
Three Sisters
1970
Plays Marge Morrisey
Hotel Sorrento
1995
Latest Trailers
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Nothing Like a Dame
Full Filmography
Knife Edge
Marjorie Blake
2009
Film
The Spiderwick Chronicles
Aunt Lucinda Spiderwick
2008
Film
Curious George
Ms. Plushbottom (voice)
2006
Film
Goose on the Loose
Beatrice Fairfield
2006
Film
Mrs Palfrey at The Claremont
Mrs. Palfrey
2005
Film
George and the Dragon
Mother Superior
2004
Film
I Am David
Sophie
2003
Film
Bringing Down the House
Mrs. Virginia Arness
2003
Film
Callas Forever
Sarah Keller
2002
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joan Plowright still alive?
Joan Plowright passed away on January 16, 2025 at age 95.
What are the most famous roles of Joan Plowright?
Joan Plowright is best known for roles in 101 Dalmatians, Last Action Hero, The Spiderwick Chronicles.
How many movies has Joan Plowright been in?
Over a 70-year career (since 1955), Joan Plowright has appeared in 44 movies and 7 TV shows.
What was Joan Plowright's first movie?
The career of Joan Plowright began with Moby Dick—Rehearsed (1955).
What is Joan Plowright's most recent movie or series?
Joan Plowright's most recent release is Franco Zeffirelli: Directing from Life, which premiered on November 15, 2018.
What TV shows has Joan Plowright appeared in?
On television, Joan Plowright has appeared in The Oscars, Great Performances, Golden Globe Awards, Omnibus.
Joan Plowright
1929-10-28 · Brigg, Lindsey, Lincolnshire, England, UK
Joan Ann Plowright, Lady Olivier, DBE (28 October 1929 - 16 January 2025), better known as Dame Joan Plowright, was an English actress, whose career has spanned over sixty years. Throughout her career she has won two Golden Globe Awards and a Tony Award and has been nominated for an Academy Award, an Emmy, and two BAFTA Awards. Joan Plowright is also one of only four actresses to have won two Golden Globes in the same year.