British Actor Joan Plowright, 95

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Plowright made her on-screen debut in 1956's Moby Dick before gaining wider recognition in the 1960 film adaptation of The Entertainer alongside Laurence Olivier, whom she later married.

During her long stage and screen career, Plowright also received nominations for an Academy Award, an Emmy, and two BAFTA Awards.

"She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theater, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire," the statement said.

In a 2018 BBC documentary, Plowright recalled playing the character Beatie Bryant in the 1959 theater production Roots and the rare thrill in that era of being a female lead.

"Beatie is the center of attention, the center of the story instead of being on the side, the decoration bit, the support," Plowright said. "The female is absolutely at the center of it and it's that feeling of elation, exhilaration when you know you're in charge." — Reuters