Plowright, Joan (1929-...), is a leading British actress. She established herself as an outstanding actress in the late 1950's with fine performances in such plays as The Entertainer (1957). She began her professional career in 1948, at the Croydon Repertory Theatre. Later, she performed at the Nottingham Playhouse and, beginning in 1956, at the Royal Court Theatre in London. She joined the National Theatre company for its first season in 1963. Plowright made her motion-picture debut in 1956. She has also been a theater producer and director.