Shirley Anne Field, the esteemed 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.
Field, whose career spanned over five decades, was celebrated for her significant contributions to both film and television. Her family disclosed her passing, noting she died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, and left behind an “unbreakable spirit and amazing legacy.”
Born in Forest Gate, Newham, London, on June 27, 1936, Field’s childhood was profoundly affected by the events of the Second World War. Her early years included the bombing of her home and subsequent placement in an orphanage in Edgeworth, Bolton, at the age of five. Despite these early adversities, she later reunited with her mother and family, an experience she often reflected on with deep emotion.
Field’s initial foray into the public eye was through modeling in the 1950s, where she achieved recognition as “Miss London” during her teenage years. Her acting career started with smaller roles, leading to her breakthrough as Tina Lapford in the 1960 film “The Entertainer.” This role marked a pivot in her career trajectory, shifting from more glamorous roles to those requiring nuanced acting skills, thereby altering public perceptions of her talent.
Her role in the 1960 film “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” as Doreen, the resolute girlfriend of Albert Finney’s character, further solidified her position as a leading actress in the British film industry. Over the years, Field worked with an array of celebrated actors, including Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, and Daniel Day-Lewis. Her extensive filmography includes “Alfie,” “The War Lover,” “My Beautiful Laundrette,” and “Lunch Hour,” and she also made appearances in TV series like “Last Of The Summer Wine” and the miniseries “Lady Chatterley.” Field continued acting until her last role in the 2014 short drama “Beautiful Relics.”
In her personal life, Field married Charles Crichton-Stuart, a nobleman and RAF pilot, in 1967, with whom she had a daughter, Nicola. The couple later divorced in the late 1970s. Field was known for her commitment to her craft and her desire to pursue artistically fulfilling roles over more commercially appealing parts, often discussing her choices in various interviews.
