Shirley Anne Field, the respected British actress renowned for her roles in classic films such as “The Entertainer” and “Alfie,” died on Sunday, December 10, 2023, at the age of 87.
Notable for her performances in several classic films, Field passed peacefully surrounded by family, who honored her life as marked by resilience and a remarkable legacy in the entertainment industry spanning more than five decades.
Field was born in Forest Gate, Newham, London, on June 27, 1936, and experienced a tumultuous childhood during the Second World War. Her early life included the bombing of her family home and subsequent time spent in an orphanage in Edgeworth, Bolton. Despite these challenges, Field eventually reunited with her mother and family, a poignant chapter in her life she often recalled in interviews.
Beginning her career in the spotlight as a model, Field was named “Miss London” in her teenage years. Her transition to acting began with minor roles and led to her breakthrough performance as Tina Lapford in the 1960 film “The Entertainer.” This role signaled a shift from glamorous roles to more substantive acting, altering her public image.
Field’s portrayal of Doreen in the 1960 film “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” further affirmed her standing as a significant actress in the British film landscape. Throughout her career, Field shared the screen with notable actors such as Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, and Daniel Day-Lewis. Her filmography features acclaimed titles like “Alfie,” “The War Lover,” “My Beautiful Laundrette,” and “Lunch Hour.” She also appeared in television series like “Last Of The Summer Wine” and the miniseries “Lady Chatterley,” with her final role in the 2014 short drama “Beautiful Relics.”
In her personal life, Field married Charles Crichton-Stuart, an aristocrat and RAF pilot, in 1967. The couple, who had a daughter, Nicola, divorced in the late 1970s. Field’s professional journey was marked by a steadfast dedication to her craft and a preference for roles that aligned with her artistic values, often eschewing more commercial opportunities for those that resonated with her creatively.
