Samantha Eggar dead: Oscar nominated actress and Dr Dolittle star dies age 86

Samantha Eggar, who was best known for roles in The Collector and Dr Dolittle has died at the age of 86 after struggling with illness for five years, her daughter has announced

Oscar nominated actress Samantha Eggar has died at the age of 86.

The actress died at her home in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles. The news was announced by her daughter Jenna Stern, who has followed in her mother's footsteps by stepping into the acting world.

Samantha had struggled with illness over the past five years but "lived a long, fabulous life", Jenna said of her mother. Jenna posted a tribute to her mother on Instagram and wrote: "Beautiful, intelligent and tough enough to be fascinatingly vulnerable... Samantha Eggar (1939–2025)

"My Mama passed Wednesday evening. Peacefully and quietly surrounded by family.

"I was there next to her …holding her hand, telling her how much she was loved. It was beautiful. It was a privilege. xoxo J".

British actress Samantha was born in Hampstead, north London in March 1939 and raisedin the Buckinghamshire countryside. Her father, Ralph, was a brigadier general British Amy and her Dutch-Portuguese mother served as an ambulance driver during World War II.

Samantha was educated at a convent school for 12 years in the countryside during the war, before later going on to study fashion at the Thanet School of Art. She graduated and was hired as a fashion artist.

However, she later moved on to study acting at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Samantha had previously been offered a scholarship, but her mother initially did not let her go. But, after her stint in the fashion world, Samantha's cousin insisted she get in his car and he drove her to the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Samantha previously recalled, according to Hollywood Reporter: "He said, 'Here’s the door … get in there. Go and do it.'

"'Do those bits you’ve done. You’ve got your own version of Ophelia. And you’ve got some poems you’ve learned.' So I did. And the next thing I know, I’m accepted."

Before she completed the two-year stint, she was offered a role in Landscape With Figures, a play at Theatre Royal Brighton in 1959. She then went on to perform in classical productions of Shakespeare before moving on to movie roles.

She rose to fame in the 1960s as she portrayed the role of Terence Stamp in thriller The Collector. The role earned her an Oscar nomination as well as a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and a Cannes Best Actress Award.

She then went on to star in Walk, Don't Run and appeared alongside Rex Harrison in Doctor Dolittle. Meanwhile, the 1970s saw her move to Los Angeles and appear alongside Sean Connery in The Molly Maguires as well as undertaking roles in The Walking Stick and The Lady in the Car With Glasses and a Gun.

She also became a darling of horror as she appeared in The Dead Are Alive!, A Name for Evil, he Uncanny and Curtains.

As well as her acting, Samantha also did extensive voiceover work – her voice portraying M in James Bond video games.

Samantha was married to actor Tom Stern from 1964 until their divorce in 1971. She is survived by her daughter, and a son, producer Nicolas Stern, her son-in-law Brennan Brown and grandchildren Charlie, Isabel and Calla; and sisters Margaret, Toni and Vivien.

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