Jane Lapotaire, an acclaimed stage actress who also appeared in episodes of The Crown and Downton Abbey, has died aged 81.
It was her performance in the title role of Marie Curie in the 1977 mini-BBC mini-series of the same name that saw the actress receive widespread attention.
The following year she performed the title role Édith Piaf for the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Piaf, which was staged in Stratford-upon-Avon and in London. In preparation for the role, she also spent six months learning how to sing.
Following a long season in the West End, she won the Laurence Olivier award for actress of the year in 1979.
Two years later, the show moved to Broadway, where she won the Tony Award for best actress in a play.
After making her debut in 1965’s When We Are Married, other notable stage roles followed in War and Peace, The Merchant of Venice and Shadowlands. She last appeared in a production of A Master Class Maria Callas.
On screen, Lapotaire first appeared in an episode of Sherlock Holmes in 1968, with later roles to follow in Casualty, Midsomer Murders and Lucan.
In 2014 she played Princess Kuragin in an episode of Downton Abbey, whilst in 2019 she portrayed Princess Alice of Battenberg in The Crown.
Her final screen role was in 2023’s The Burning Girls.
Lapotaire was married to director Roland Joffé from 1974 to 1980 – they shared son Rowan, a screenwriter and director.
Just last month, she was appointed CBE, where she attended the investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
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