Jane Lapotaire
Biography
Jane Elizabeth Marie Lapotaire, born Burgess on December 26, 1944, in Ipswich, Suffolk, UK, was an English actress. She was adopted by her stepfather, Yves Lapotaire, a Frenchman, after her mother married in 1957, though she remained with her grandmother. Lapotaire was married to Oliver Wood from 1965 to 1967 and later to director Roland Joffé from 1974 to 1980. She and Joffé had a son, Rowan Joffé, a director and screenwriter born in 1973. Her acting credits include Playing Shakespeare, Koruna, and Detektiv Endeavour Morse. Lapotaire died on March 5, 2026, at the age of 81.
Career overview
Jane Elizabeth Marie Lapotaire was an English actress born on December 26, 1944, in Ipswich, Suffolk, UK. She died on March 5, 2026, at the age of 81. Born with the maiden name Burgess, she was adopted by her stepfather, a Frenchman named Yves Lapotaire, after her mother married in 1957, though she remained with her grandmother.
Throughout her career, Lapotaire was known for her work in acting and is credited with 80 known credits. Her professional work includes appearances in the production Playing Shakespeare, as well as the series Koruna and Detektiv Endeavour Morse.
Lapotaire was married to Oliver Wood from 1965 until their divorce in 1967. She later married director Roland Joffé in 1974, and the couple remained married until 1980. Together, they had a son born in 1973 named Rowan Joffé, who became a director and screenwriter.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
81 titles- The Burning Girls (2023) as Joan Hartman
- Dalgliesh (2021) as Lady Lavinia
- Smyrna (2021) as Filio Williams
- Rebecca (2020) as Granny
- The Crown (2016) as Princess Alice
- RSC Live: Henry V (2015) as Queen Isobel
- Endeavour (2013) as Madame Belasco
- Lucan (2013) as Susie Maxwell-Scott
- RSC Live: Richard II (2013) as Duchess of Gloucester
- Lucan (2013) as Susan Maxwell-Scott
- Windsor Castle: After the Fire (2011) as Narrator
- Eleventh Hour (2006)
- Elizabeth David: A Life in Recipes (2006) as Ernestine Carter
- He Knew He Was Right (2004) as Lady Milborough
- Broadway's Lost Treasures II (2004) as Edith Piaf (segment "Piaf")
- Bella and the Boys (2004) as Mrs. Rogers
- Can't Stop Breathing (2004) as Daisy
- Arabian Nights (2000) as Miriam
- There's Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000) as Alice Brewer
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Mary Mohan
- McCallum (1997)
- Shooting Fish (1997) as Dylan's Headmistress
- Ain't Misbehavin' (1997) as Clara Van Trapp
- Testament: The Bible in Animation (1996) as Sarah (voice)
- Surviving Picasso (1996) as Olga Picasso
- Giving Tongue (1996) as Hilda Jacob
- Johnny and the Dead (1995) as Sylvia Liberty
- The Inspector Alleyn Mysteries (1993) as Elspeth Cost
- Love Hurts (1992)
- The Big Battalions (1992) as Martha Hoyland
- Chillers (1990) as Betsey McCullough
- Circles Of Deceit (1990) as Helen
- The Dark Angel (1989) as Madame de la Rougierre
- Murder on the Moon (1989) as Louise Mackey
- The Master Builder (1988) as Aline Solness
- The Ruth Rendell Mysteries (1987) as Anouk Khoori
- Daytime Live (1987)
- Napoleon and Josephine: A Love Story (1987) as Letizia Bonaparte
- The Dark Angel (1987) as Madame de la Rougierre
- Casualty (1986) as Eileen Jarvis
- Casualty (1986) as Maureen
- Lady Jane (1986) as Princess Mary
- Seal Morning (1986) as Miriam Spencer
- Screen Two (1985) as Helen
- Playing Shakespeare (1984)
- Piaf (1984) as Édith Piaf
- To Catch a King (1984) as Irene Neumann
- Eureka (1983) as Helen McCann
- Macbeth (1983) as Lady Macbeth
- The Captain's Doll (1983) as Evangeline
- The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1982) as Elisabeth Moulton-Barrett
- The Search for Alexander the Great (1981) as Olympias
- Antony & Cleopatra (1981) as Cleopatra
- The BBC Television Shakespeare (1978) as Lady Macbeth
- The Devil's Crown (1978) as Eleanor of Aquitaine
- Marie Curie (1977) as Marie Curie
- The Other Woman (1976) as Kim
- The House of Bernarda Alba (1976) as Magdalena
- Edward the Seventh (1975) as Princess Dagmar
- Edward the Seventh (1975) as Dowager Empress Dagmar
- One of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing (1975) as Miss Prescott
- Oranges and Lemons (1973) as Anne Sewell
- The Black Dog (1973) as Orianda
- Crown Court (1972) as Juliet Tomlin
- Van der Valk (1972)
- Van der Valk (1972) as Elly
- The Edwardians (1972) as Alice Hoatson
- Country Matters (1972) as Orianda Crabbe
- The Sextet (1972)
- Antony and Cleopatra (1972) as Charmian
- Love and Mr Lewisham (1972) as Miss Heydinger
- The Asphyx (1972) as Christina Cunningham
- Stocker's Copper (1972) as Alice Stocker
- On Call (1972) as Jean
- The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1971) as Emily Shaw
- Jason King (1971)
- Play for Today (1970) as Kim
- Performance. (1970) as Mrs. Farrell (uncredited)
- Crescendo (1970) as Lillianne
- Callan (1967)
- Armchair Theatre (1956) as Jean
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jane Lapotaire best known for?
Jane Lapotaire is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Dalgliesh (2021), Rebecca (2020), The Crown (2016), True Grit (2010).
When and where was Jane Lapotaire born?
Jane Lapotaire was born on December 26, 1944 in Ipswitch, Suffolk, UK. They passed away on March 5, 2026.
How many credits does Jane Lapotaire have?
Jane Lapotaire has accumulated over 81 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1956 to 2023.
What is Jane Lapotaire's background in cinema and television?
Jane Elizabeth Marie Lapotaire, born Burgess on December 26, 1944, in Ipswich, Suffolk, UK, was an English actress. She was adopted by her stepfather, Yves Lapotaire, a Frenchman, after her mother married in 1957, though she remained with her grandmother. Lapotaire was married to Oliver Wood from 1965 to 1967 and later...
Jane Lapotaire by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Playing Shakespeare (1984) — aged about 39
- The Crown (2016) as Princess Alice — aged about 71
- Endeavour (2013) as Madame Belasco — aged about 68
- Love Hurts (1992) — aged about 47
- Marie Curie (1977) as Marie Curie — aged about 32
- The Devil's Crown (1978) as Eleanor of Aquitaine — aged about 33
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