The entertainment world is mourning the loss of the much-loved actress Pauline Collins, who has passed away at the age of 85. Best known for her iconic role in Shirley Valentine, Collins was remembered by her fellow actors as a uniquely talented and deeply compassionate presence both on and off the stage.
Warmth and Laughter: Memories from the Stage and Screen
Fellow actors Julia McKenzie and Jonathan Pryce have led the tributes, sharing heartfelt memories of working with Collins over a span of five decades. McKenzie first worked with Collins on the 1989 film adaptation of Shirley Valentine, though she had admired her since her early days in Upstairs, Downstairs.
Julia McKenzie emphasised Collins's immediate likability, stating that people didn't just admire her, they loved her. She described Collins as sharing many traits with her most famous character, Shirley, including a crispness mixed with warmth, kindness, generosity, and a down-to-earth nature. McKenzie recalled that Collins was a 'thorough pro' on set, but her performance was not about technique; it was about raw, authentic presence.
A Generous Colleague and a Steadying Hand
The kindness was not confined to her performances. McKenzie shared a poignant memory from the set of Marple in 2010, where Collins guest-starred. During a difficult scene, McKenzie experienced a rare moment of forgetting her lines. Pauline Collins offered calm, compassionate support, advising her to sit down, have a cup of tea, and relax before trying again. This act of humanity left a lasting impression on McKenzie, who also noted the incredible care Collins received from her husband, John, and family in her final years.
Jonathan Pryce's memories of Collins span 50 years, beginning at the Old Vic theatre. He was 28 and making his London stage debut in Comedians, while Collins was already an established TV star. Pryce remembered her as a warm, sincere, and hugely talented actor whose greatest attributes were her kindness and her ability to generate laughter. He noted that her restraint and economy as an actor were what made her so compelling and funny, capable of reducing her fellow actors to fits of giggles with just a look.
Pryce had the opportunity to work with Collins again four decades later in the film Dough, and found her still as generous, witty, and lovable as ever. The acting community has lost a true star, but her legacy of beloved performances and personal warmth will endure.
