Dame Peggy Ashcroft, a leading actress who won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the age of 77, was honored with a blue plaque at her childhood home in south Croydon. The plaque was unveiled by English Heritage to celebrate her remarkable theatrical career and her lifelong connection to the London borough.
Remembered as a wonderful person and actress by Dame Judi Dench, Ashcroft starred in iconic productions, including Shakespearean plays and various screen roles. English Heritage highlighted her fond memories of growing up in Croydon, where she first dreamt of becoming an actress at the age of 13.
Her family, including son Nicholas Hutchinson and granddaughters Manon and Emily Loizeau, expressed their gratitude for the tribute, emphasizing Ashcroft’s humility and sense of humor. They shared fond memories of her as a loving mother, grandmother, and an extraordinary human being.
Ashcroft’s legacy as an actress was recognized by the Daily Telegraph in 1935 when she was hailed as the “Finest Juliet of Our Time.” Her versatility and talent were evident in roles such as Mrs. Moore in A Passage to India, for which she received an Oscar. Despite her success, Ashcroft remained humble and committed to acting as a compulsion.
Dame Judi Dench, who became friends with Ashcroft in 1961, remembered her as a source of encouragement and friendship throughout their lives. Dench highlighted Ashcroft’s excellence as both a person and an actress, emphasizing the impact she had on those around her.
The unveiling of the blue plaque not only commemorates Ashcroft’s achievements but also serves as a reminder of her roots and the place where her passion for acting was ignited. It stands as a tribute to a remarkable woman whose legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and theater enthusiasts.