Pauline Collins

Pauline Angela Collins was a British actress who first rose to fame portraying Sarah Moffat in Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1973) and its spin-off Thomas & Sarah (1979). In 1992, she published her autobiography, Letter to Louise.

Person · Open Library

Born: 1940-09-03
Died: 2025-11-06
Works: 9

Top works

Favourite family games
Dispute Management
Military As a Separate Society
Letter to Louise
The Nexus among Place, Conflict and Communication in a Globalising World

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Key facts

Born: Pauline Angela Collins , ( 1940-09-03 ) 3 September 1940, Exmouth , Devon , England
Died: 5 November 2025 (2025-11-05) (aged 85), Highgate , London , England
Alma mater: Central School of Speech and Drama
Occupation: Actress

Article

Pauline Angela Collins (3 September 1940 – 5 November 2025) was a British actress who first rose to fame portraying Sarah Moffat in Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1973) and its spin-off Thomas & Sarah (1979). In 1992, she published her autobiography, Letter to Louise.

Collins played the title role in the play Shirley Valentine for which she won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress, and the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play. She reprised the role in the 1989 film adaptation of the play, winning a BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, an Evening Standard British Film Award, and nominations for both an Academy Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe Award for the Best Performance by an Actress - Motion Picture. Collins also starred in the television dramas Forever Green (1989–1992) and The Ambassador (1998–1999). Her other film appearances include City of Joy (1992) and Paradise Road (1997).