Born October 28, 1929, in North Lincolnshire, England, Joan Plowright trained at the Old Vic Theatre School and began a distinguished British stage career in 1951. Although she made her movie debut in the 1956 version of Moby Dick, it would be decades before she would become a recognized film star.She re-created her acclaimed stage role for the 1960 film version of The Entertainer, playing the daughter of Laurence Olivier; one year later, the two were married. That same year, Plowright also won Broadway's Tony Award for "A Taste of Honey."
After some little-seen British film roles in the 1980s, she impressed American critics in I Love You to Death, Avalon, Enchanted April (1992 Oscar nomination) and The Summer House. Her broad range of movie roles since then has included Dennis the Menace, Dinosaur (animation voice), Bringing Down the House, Tea with Mussolini and Curious George (2006).
Widows' PeakWhen attractive British widow Edwina (Natasha Richardson) moves to a quiet Irish community, the local ladies are immediately suspicious of the sultry outsider, so much so that they spearhead an elaborate investigation to prove she's up to no good. But that doesn't stop Edwina from charming Mrs.... Read More
Mrs. Palfrey at the ClaremontJoan Plowright takes the title role as the recently widowed Mrs. Palfrey, who moves into a hotel while she waits -- and waits -- for her 26-year-old grandson (Lorcan O'Toole) to return her calls after she relocates to London to be closer to him. Mrs. Palfrey is about to give up on her family when a... Read More
Back to the Secret GardenA once-vibrant garden is dying, and it's up to a young girl named Lizzie Buscana (Camilla Belle) to save it. She sneaks away from the watchful eye of her guardian and manages to enter the garden. But once inside, she still can't solve the garden's mystery. Even with the help of friendly animals,... Read More
George and the DragonAfter returning home from the First Crusade, battle-weary knight George (James Purefoy) agrees to find a princess (Piper Perabo) who's gone missing. The brave knight and his friend Elmendorf (Bill Treacher) locate the princess but soon find themselves tangling with dangerous enemies as well as an... Read More
Daphne LaureolaPartygoers, an elderly couple, an impressionistic young man and all the other diverse diners at a Soho restaurant have their worlds shaken up by Lady Pitts (Joan Plowright). A free spirit lubricated by alcohol, Lady Pitts invites the diners to tea at the mansion of her husband (Laurence Olivier).... Read More
Knife Edge (2009) | R | |
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008) | PG | |
Curious George (2006) | G | |
PG | ||
NR | ||
I Am David (2004) | PG | |
George and the Dragon (2004) | PG | |
Bringing Down the House (2003) | PG-13 | |
Back to the Secret Garden (2002) | G | |
Callas Forever (2002) | NR | |
R | ||
Frankie and Hazel (2001) | NR | |
Dinosaur (2000) | PG | |
PG | ||
Dance with Me (1998) | PG | |
Jane Eyre (1996) | PG | |
101 Dalmatians (1996) | G | |
The Grass Harp (1996) | PG | |
Mr. Wrong (1996) | PG-13 | |
The Scarlet Letter (1995) | R | |
A Pyromaniac's Love Story (1995) | PG | |
Widows' Peak (1994) | PG | |
The Return of the Native (1994) | PG | |
Last Action Hero (1993) | PG-13 | |
Dennis the Menace (1993) | PG | |
Enchanted April (1992) | PG | |
Avalon (1990) | PG | |
I Love You to Death (1990) | R | |
PG-13 | ||
Brimstone & Treacle (1982) | R | |
Britannia Hospital (1982) | R | |
Daphne Laureola (1978) | NR | |
Equus (1977) | R | |
NR | ||
The Merchant of Venice (1973) | TV-14 | |
Three Sisters (1970) | PG | |
Twelfth Night (1969) | NR | |
The Entertainer (1960) | NR | |
Time Without Pity (1957) | NR | |
 | | |