Dame Peggy Ashcroft was an English actress who had a long and distinguished career in theatre, film, and television. She was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1979 for her services to the performing arts. She won two Academy Awards, three BAFTAs, and four Emmy Awards during her career. Ashcroft was known for her versatility and range, and she was praised for her performances in a variety of genres, from Shakespearean tragedy to modern drama.