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’s family announced that she had passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. They celebrated her “unbreakable spirit and amazing legacy” spanning over five decades in film and television. While the specific cause of death was not disclosed, her family’s statement highlighted her significant impact on stage and screen.
Born on June 27, 1936, in Forest Gate, Newham, London, Field’s early life was marked by the turmoil of the Second World War. Her home was bombed, leading to her placement in an orphanage in Edgeworth, Bolton, at the age of five. Despite these challenging beginnings, Field reconnected with her mother and family years later, a reunion that she recalled with poignancy in later interviews.
Field’s career in the spotlight began as a model in the 1950s, crowned “Miss London” in her teenage years. She transitioned to acting with minor roles before achieving fame as Tina Lapford in the 1960 drama “The Entertainer.” This role marked a significant shift in her career, moving from glamorous parts to serious acting, and changed public perception of her talents.
Field’s portrayal of Doreen, the strong-minded girlfriend of Albert Finney’s character in the groundbreaking social realism drama “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning,” further cemented her status as a prominent actress in British cinema.
Throughout her career, Field starred alongside illustrious actors such as Laurence Olivier, Michael Caine, Steve McQueen, Robert Wagner, and Daniel Day-Lewis. Her filmography includes notable works like “Alfie,” “The War Lover,” “My Beautiful Laundrette,” and “Lunch Hour.” Additionally, she appeared in TV series such as “Last Of The Summer Wine” and the miniseries “Lady Chatterley.” In later years, she continued to perform, with her last appearance in the 2014 short drama “Beautiful Relics.”
Field’s personal life was as eventful as her professional one. In 1967, she married Charles Crichton-Stuart, an aristocratic RAF pilot and racing driver, with whom she had a daughter, Nicola. The couple divorced in the late 1970s.
Her dedication to her craft and her ability to evolve as an actress were evident in her choices and performances. Field once spoke about the possibility of working in more commercial films, such as the James Bond series, but expressed that she prioritized roles that resonated with her artistic sensibilities over purely glamorous parts.
