Audrey Hepburn

British actress and humanitarian
Born as Audrey Kathleen Ruston on 4 May 1929 Ixelles, Belgium
Died on 20 January 1993 (aged 63) Tolochenaz, Switzerland

Role Goulaytli Holly, played by Hepburn in the film «Breakfast at Tiffany's» in 1961, has become one of the most iconic images of American cinema of the twentieth century. Hepburn called the role "the most jazz in her career". When she was asked what was the complexity of the role, Hepburn said: «I'm an introvert. Playing the extroverted girl was the hardest thing I've ever did».
On the shooting she wore very stylish clothes including the famous "little black dress" which became a real hit after the film was shown on the screen. It has created in collaboration with Givenchy. Audrey added bright strands to her auburn hair. This style she saved outside shooting. Actress carried friendship with Givenchy through the whole life and became his permanent client. Givenchy Hubert devoted his first perfume L’Interdit precisely to Audrey.
Audrey Hepburn starred in 1964 in the musical "My Fair Lady" which appearance was awaited with impatience. Hepburn was cast as Eliza Doolittle instead of Julie Andrews who has already played this role on Broadway.

The decision not to invite Andrews was made before Hepburn was approved for the role. Hepburn initially refused the offer and asked Jack Warner to give the role to Andrews, but when she was told that in the film would act either she or Elizabeth Taylor she agreed.

The popular magazine «Soundstage magazine»: «... all agreed that if Julie Andrews is not in the film, Audrey Hepburn is an excellent choice."
Since 1967 after fifteen highly successful years in film, Hepburn acted from case to case. After the divorce with her first husband Mel Ferrer, she married with Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti, gave the birth to her second son Luke and moved to Italy. Pregnancy was difficult and required almost constant observance of bed rest. In Italy in the early 70-s the activity of terrorists "Red Army" increased and Audrey divorced Dottie and tried to return to the cinema starring in the film "Robin and Marian" with Sean Connery in 1976.
In 1979, Hepburn made another attempt to come back by starring in "Bloodline". Sheldon books were so popular that his name in the movie made Hepburn to assume that the film will be successful. Unfortunately, this was not the case. Even those critics who were fans of Hepburn could not recommend the film because of apparent banality of the material.
The last major Hepburn’s role in the movie was with her new passion Ben Gadzara in contemporary comedy “They All Laughed " - a small, stylish and bright film. This was a good performance as the curtain fell for Hepburn. The film was shot by Peter Bogdanovich and enjoyed success with the critics but was overshadowed by the brutal murder of one of its stars, Bogdanovich's friend Dorothy Stratten.
In 1987 Hepburn starred with Robert Wagner in an ironic detective television movie "Love Among Thieves” which borrowed some elements from Audry’s famous films, particularly from "Charade" and "How to Steal a Million". The film enjoyed moderate success; however, Hepburn said they she took the part in it for fun.

Filmography

1948    Nederlands in 7 lessen - Airline Stewardess
1951    One Wild Oat  - Hotel receptionist
            Laughter in Paradise - Cigarette girl
            Monte Carlo Baby - Linda Farell
            Young Wives' Tale - Eve Lester
            The Lavender Hill Mob - Chiquita
1952    The Secret People - Nora Brentano
            Nous irons à Monte Carlo - Melissa Walter
1953    Roman Holiday - Princess Ann (Academy Award for Best Actress, BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama)
1954    Sabrina - Sabrina Fairchild (Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actress, BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role)
1956    War and Peace - Natasha Rostova (Nominated — BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role; Nominated Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama)
1957    Funny Face - Jo Stockton
            Love in the Afternoon - Ariane Chavasse/Thin Girl    (Nominated — Golden Globe  Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)
1959    Green Mansions - Rima
            The Nun's Story - Sister Luke (Gabrielle van der Mal) (BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role; Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actress; Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama)
1960    The Unforgiven - Rachel Zachary
1961    Breakfast at Tiffany's - Holly Golightly (Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actress
            The Children's Hour - Karen Wright
1963    Charade - Regina "Reggie" Lampert    (BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role; Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)
1964    Paris When It Sizzles - Gabrielle Simpson
            My Fair Lady - Eliza Doolittle (Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)
1966    How to Steal a Million - Nicole Bonnet
1967    Two for the Road - Joanna Wallace (Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy)
            Wait Until Dark - Susy Hendrix (Nominated — Academy Award for Best Actress; Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama)
1976    Robin and Marian - Lady Marian
1979    Bloodline - Elizabeth Roffe
1989    Always - Hap

Television and theatre

1949    High Button Shoes - Chorus Girl
            Sauce Tartare - Chorus Girl
1950    Sauce Piquante - Featured Player
1951    Gigi - Gigi
1952    CBS Television Workshop -   Episode entitled "Rainy Day at Paradise Junction"
1954    Ondine  - Water Nymph (Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play)
1957    Mayerling - Maria Vetsera
1987    Love Among Thieves  - Baroness Caroline DuLac
1993    Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn - Herself (Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement - Informational Programming)

During the visit to Somalia she felt unbearable pain in her stomach. Audrey said nothing to anyone, because she afraid that accompany would immediately turn the expedition back. She asked for the doctor just after returning from Africa. The doctor found cancer. Audrey Hepburn died on January 20, 1993 in the small Swiss town Toloshenaze near Lausanne.
Gregory Peck was her lifelong friend. After the Hepburn's death Peck went on the camera and tearfully recited her favorite poem «Unending Love»...
... She went from the world as she lived in it: with dignity and nobility. At her funeral were those men whom she loved. It was said that she was never as happy as before her death ...

comments

Maria (Jul 19, 2010 8:29:36 PM)
She is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. Such a noble people should live forever...
Marie (Mar 4, 2011 7:21:28 AM)
Who is singing the song on this Audrey Hepburn tribute?

Audrey Hepburn

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