Jane Lapotaire, known for her roles in “The Crown” and “Downton Abbey,” has passed away at the age of 81.
She died on March 5, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Royal Shakespeare Company, although the specific cause of death has not been disclosed.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Jane Lapotaire,” the statement said. “She is truly a wonderful actress. Her work with the RSC included her Tony and Olivier Award-winning role in Piaf, and she played Gertrude alongside Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet.”
Born Jane Burgess in December 1944 in Ipswich, England, Lapotaire was adopted and spent her early years with her adoptive mother until she was 12. Her biological mother returned to Ipswich when Lapotaire was a teenager, leading to a complicated custody battle.
Despite her adoptive mother winning custody, she still spent holidays with her birth mother.
Lapotaire’s acting journey began in 1965 at the Bristol Old Vic, when she took on the part of Ruby Bartle in “When We Are Married.”
In a reflective moment before her passing, she mentioned, “At that time, I knew I wanted to act.” It seemed like acting was something she felt she needed, almost like the air she breathed.
She became one of the founding members of the Young Vic Theater around 1970 and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1974.
Her breakthrough came in 1977, playing Marie Curie in a BBC miniseries. This role was only the beginning; she captivated audiences as Edith Piaf in Pam Gems’ “Piaf,” winning a Tony Award after the play moved to Broadway in 1980.
While she was celebrated on stage, her career extended far beyond. Lapotaire portrayed Queen Mary in “Lady Jane,” Princess Irina in “Downton Abbey,” and Princess Alice in “The Crown.”
In 2000, a cerebral hemorrhage disrupted her career, and she underwent surgery, which put a pause on her acting ventures.
After spending four weeks in intensive care, she wrote her memoir, “Time Out of Mind,” which was published in 2004.
Lapotaire’s last public appearance occurred last month when she was honored as a Commander of the Order of the British Empire at Windsor Castle.
She is survived by her son, Rowan Joffe, whom she had with ex-husband Roland Joffe.
