Joan Plowright celebrated for her unforgettable performances and her Academy Award nomination for Enchanted April (1991), passed away on January 16, 2025, at the age of 95. While her career was filled with accolades and applause, her personal life had its own quiet stories, including her first marriage to Roger Gage.
Plowright and Gage married on September 19, 1953, in a ceremony surrounded by loved ones. Their union, however, wasn’t destined to last forever. On December 2, 1960, the couple parted ways, bringing their seven-year marriage to an end.
The reasons behind their divorce were never shared publicly, leaving much to speculation. What is known is that their time together did not result in children, and both moved on to different chapters in their lives.
After the separation, Gage found happiness again with actress Burda Cann. The two married on October 27, 1961, and their marriage endured until his death in 2018. Together, they raised three children—Julie Kate, Tamsin, and Richard Olivier.
Though Gage’s time with Plowright was brief, it remains an important part of her life story.
Roger Gage: A Life in Entertainment
Gage, who passed away in 2018 at the age of 89, was not only Joan Plowright’s first husband but also a multifaceted talent in the world of television and film. Born in Bath, Somerset, England, Gage established a remarkable career as a presenter, producer, and director with the BBC and ITV companies, including Anglia and Westward Television.
Though Gage began as an actor, appearing in projects like Late Night Theatre (1972) and High Water (1981), the man of all seasons found his true calling behind the camera. His directorial journey began after completing the BBC’s prestigious directors’ course, where his creative instincts quickly set him apart.
One of his most notable accomplishments was his Emmy-winning documentary series Wyvern at War (1965), which followed West Country soldiers from the Normandy landings to VE Day. This groundbreaking series marked a first for ITV regional programming.
He also had a keen eye for talent. Gage was the first to cast Dudley Moore in a film and directed Michael Bentine in It’s a Square World.
Beyond his professional achievements, Gage also became the first chairman of the RTS Student Awards.
