Dame Siân Phillips, a celebrated actress with a career spanning over 80 years, is stepping back from full-scale stage acting due to memory issues. The 93-year-old performer experienced difficulties remembering lines during rehearsals for a recent production, which prompted her decision.
Despite stepping away from major stage commitments, Phillips plans to continue performing in smaller projects. She is scheduled to appear in Samuel Beckett's "Rockaby" for Michael Sheen's Welsh National Theatre next year and will continue with her show "It's All Greek."
Born in 1933 in Carmarthenshire, Wales, Phillips began her career in Welsh-language radio at age 11. She later studied at the University of Wales and received a scholarship to the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Before her acting career gained momentum, she worked as a bilingual announcer and newsreader for BBC Wales.
Phillips has had a distinguished career across stage, television, and film, with notable roles in "Doctor Who," "Calendar Girls," "Dune," and the BBC's "I, Claudius." Her performance as Livia in "I, Claudius" earned her a BAFTA award, and she received a Tony Award nomination for her portrayal of Marlene Dietrich in "Marlene."
In recognition of her contributions to drama, Phillips was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000 and a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2016.