Tributes have been paid to the “truly brilliant” Jane Lapotaire, following the Downton Abbey star’s death aged 81.
Lapotaire enjoyed decades of success on the stage and screen, winning Tony and Olivier Awards for her starring role in the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC)’s 1981 production Piaf, based on the life of iconic French singer Édith Piaf.
She was also known for appearances in movies such as the 1996 biopic Surviving Picasso and a 2020 adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.
Her small screen credits included portraying Princess Kuragin in series five of Downton Abbey and Prince Phillip’s estranged mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, in series three of The Crown.
Lapotaire’s death was confirmed in a social media post from the RSC, which read: “We are saddened to hear of the death of Jane Lapotaire.
“A truly brilliant actress, her RSC credits include Piaf, winning her TONY & Olivier awards, & Gertrude opposite Kenneth Branagh in Adrian Noble’s Hamlet. She last appeared with the RSC in Richard II & Henry V, both directed by Greg Doran.
“Our thoughts are with Jane’s family & friends.”
The Tony Awards also paid tribute to the actor, posting a clip of the acceptance speech she delivered after her Best Actress win in 1981.
The caption read: “We mourn the loss of Tony winner Jane Lapotaire, whose unforgettable performance in Piaf left a lasting impact on audiences around the world.”
Numerous famous faces who worked with Lapotaire have since shared their condolences.
Singer-songwriter Mike Batt, best known for creating The Wombles, wrote in a post on X: “I’m so sorry to hear of Jane’s death. I had the pleasure of producing her singing – for Piaf – some years ago, and she was a delightful, and of course, superbly talented actress. RIP.”
All Creatures Great and Small actor Carol Drinkwater posted: “I am so sad to read this. I knew Jane way back when I was an actress in my twenties at the National. I looked up to her for the quality of her work and the feisty woman she was. Rest in Peace, Jane.”
Fans have also shared their condolences, with one writing: “A great and highly versatile actress. Her swansong as Princess Alice in The Crown was wonderful.”
“Was fortunate enough to see her as Piaf,” said another. “Her performance was mesmerising. What a great talent and such a sad loss.”
Lapotaire landed her first TV role in the BBC’s 1968 Sherlock Holmes series and went on to enjoy a prolific career on the stage and screen, while also featuring in multiple BBC radio plays.
She made her final public appearance last month as she collected a CBE for services to drama at Windsor Castle.
Lapotaire is survived by her 53-year-old son, director and screenwriter Rowan Joffe.
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