Pat Heywood, 1931–2024

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pat Heywood, who graduated from the School in 1953.

Pat’s career began shortly after her graduation when she played Rowena in the premiere of Slade and Reynolds’ Salad Days at Bristol Old Vic. Her talent caught the eye of film directors, leading to her screen debut as Nurse in Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet (1968), a performance that earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and secured two further collaborations with the director.

She enjoyed many other film and television credits throughout her career, including Nelly Dean in the BBC adaptation of Brontë’s Wuthering Heights (1978) an episode of Inspector Morse in 1991.

Throughout her life, Pat frequently returned to Bristol to work and live, maintaining ties with the city that helped to launch her career. Her extensive stage repertoire included numerous West End and regional theatre productions, and, in the late 1980s, Pat worked at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) alongside performing.

Pat’s passion theatre education was a family affair; her stepdaughter, actor Sarah Neville trained at BOVTS (’77), whilst her late husband, Oliver Neville, was Principal of RADA from 1984 to 1993.

The School extends our condolences to Pat’s loved ones, former classmates and colleagues. If you would like to share your memories of Pat, please email the team.

Header: Cinefania Online (image source)