Remembering legendary stage school founder SYLVIA YOUNG
Photo credit: Danny Kaan/Olivier Awards
It has been announced today that legendary stage school founder Sylvia Young has sadly passed away at the age of 85.
Her daughter, actress Frances Ruffelle, posted on her social media today, along with sister Alison, saying: “It is with great sadness we let you know that our incredible Mum Sylvia Young passed away peacefully this morning 30th July 2025.
“Our Mum was a true visionary. She gave young people from all walks of life the chance to pursue their performing arts skills to the highest standard. Her rare ability to recognise raw talent and encourage all her students contributed to the richness of today’s theatre and music world, even winning herself an Olivier Award along the way.
“She believed hard work with a bit of luck brought success, and she was an example of that herself.
“She leaves as her legacy a wealth of brilliant performers, a thriving school bearing her name, and a priceless place in the nation’s heart.
“Above all she leaves the memory of an East End girl who worked hard to achieve her goals, took hold of life, and lived it to the full.
“Her family were everything to her, her wonderful husband, our dad, Norman and her grandchildren Eliza, Nat, Felix and Coral plus her great grandson Rex.
“We share her love with her wide and inclusive family, her friends, her students. You all meant the world to her.
“We will miss her so very much.”
Young founded the full-time Sylvia Young Theatre School in 1981, originally in London’s iconic Drury Lane, before moving to its current Marylebone premises two years later in 1983.
Alumni of Sylvia Young Theatre School includes Jenna Russell, Billie Piper, Tom and Giovanna Fletcher, Rob Madge, Samantha Womack, Simon Lipkin, and countless others.
Young was awarded the Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2005 Queen’s Birthday Honours List, and she received a special Olivier Award in 2022.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Sylvia’s family and friends at this difficult time.