- I was lucky not to have been born pretty.
- I thought I was the wrong shape, that Miss Marple would be much fluffier than me, much more wearing shawls and things. But I was persuaded and now, well - I can only do it my way.
- [on the death of her husband] I never really got over it, but my work was an enormous help. You simply have to go on.
- [on her husband] He had no interest in the theatre. I don't think he ever came to see my work. After the show I would get on the train, go home and become Mrs Butler again. It was rather nice having two lives.
- I wasn't beautiful, so there were plenty of character roles. I never did any Shakespeare, I'm far too superficial for that. I just act instinctively.
- [on age] Once you stop, your brain goes, and when that happens it's all over.
- [on being taken to her first pantomime, Cinderella, at the age of five] I was utterly entranced, and asked my parents to move as near to the theatre as possible. I knew immediately that the life I wanted was there.
- I have never been a star, I'm just an old character bag.
- I was never really pretty, so for someone like myself it's more useful to be a character actress than a leading actress... in television especially, they want real wrinkles.
- [on Miss Marple] I think she's a wonderful woman with a very clear outlook on life. Miss Marple believes in justice and has very high standards. There is nothing you could say or do that would shock her.
- Retirement is fatal. If you retire you go POP.
- [on being sent away to school during World War I] It was one of the first co-educational schools. I remember my Aunt Lizzie in tweeds and a flying helmet running up and down the touchline shouting for our boys.
- I love getting back to Wivenhoe. I get out of my wig, bustle and costume in three minutes flat at the end of the play before jumping into a taxi outside the theater and catching the train home.
- [on being awarded an OBE] It must be because the programme (Miss Marple) has gone all over the world and is bringing in such lovely revenue. I think its enormous success is because it's so charmingly done.
- [on disapproval from her relatives about acting] My Aunt Aggie - she was about 4 feet tall - drew herself up to her full height and said, 'What is Joan's destination to be?' which she thought was the gutter, you see.
- [on the Open Air Theatre in Regent's Park during World War II] We kept one eye on the sky to see what was coming over. We used to feel the audience were being... stupid because they sort of hurled themselves on the ground.
- I watch these old films in black and white, and suddenly the door opens and there I am. The other day, I was wearing the most awful hat.
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content