Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born on the 27th of February 1932 at Heathwood, her family's home at 8 Wildwood Road in Hampstead Garden Suburb. Her blue eyes appeared violet and were rimmed by dark double eyelashes caused by a genetic mutation. She began her acting career as a child actress in the early 1940s after moving to Los Angeles with her family in 1939. Universal Pictures offered her a contract in April 1941 but terminated it after one year because casting director disliked her look. The studio claimed she had nothing and that her eyes were too old for a child role. MGM signed her to a seven-year contract in January 1943 following a minor role in Lassie Come Home. National Velvet became a box-office success upon its release on Christmas 1944 when she played a girl who wanted to compete as a jockey. MGM gave Taylor a new seven-year contract with a weekly salary of $750 after the film's success. They cast her in minor roles like Courage of Lassie in 1946 while publishing books about her pet chipmunk Nibbles. When Taylor turned 15 in 1947, MGM organized photo shoots portraying her as a normal teenager attending parties. Film magazines compared her to older actresses such as Ava Gardner and Lana Turner. Life called her Hollywood's most accomplished junior actress for two film roles that year. Her childhood ended when she became a star because MGM started controlling every aspect of her life. She described the studio as a big extended factory where she adhered to strict daily schedules. Her days involved school and filming at the studio lot while evenings included dancing and singing classes.
Taylor made the transition to adult roles when she turned 18 in 1950. Her first mature role appeared in Conspirator released in March 1950 though filmed when she was only 16. The thriller featured a woman suspecting her husband was a Soviet spy but MGM delayed its release fearing diplomatic problems. That same month she married Conrad Nicky Hilton Jr. in Beverly Hills during a highly publicized ceremony organized by MGM. Her second film of 1950 was The Big Hangover co-starring Van Johnson released in May. Father of the Bride followed in June grossing $6 million worldwide with Spencer Tracy and Joan Bennett. A Place in the Sun marked a departure from earlier films when it opened in 1951. George Stevens cast Taylor as a spoiled socialite who came between a poor factory worker and his pregnant girlfriend. According to Taylor it was the first film where she had been asked to act instead of simply being herself. Herb Golden of Variety said her histrionics were far beyond anything she had done previously. A.H. Weiler of The New York Times wrote that she gave a shaded tender performance avoiding pathos common to young love on screen. The film became critical and commercial success grossing $3 million. Love Is Better Than Ever followed in 1952 as a reprimand for divorcing Hilton after eight months. Ivanhoe became one of MGM's biggest commercial successes earning $11 million despite Taylor finding the story superficial. She later stated she gave one of worst performances of career in Beau Brummell but liked The Last Time I Saw Paris which convinced her she wanted to be an actress.
Taylor starred in Cleopatra released by 20th Century-Fox in 1963 becoming the first movie star paid $1 million for a role. Fox granted her 10% of film's gross profits plus shooting rights in Todd-AO widescreen format inherited from Mike Todd. Filming began in England in 1960 but halted several times due to bad weather and Taylor's ill health. In March 1961 she developed nearly fatal pneumonia requiring tracheotomy while one news agency erroneously reported her death. Once recovered Fox discarded filmed material moving production to Rome changing director to Joseph Mankiewicz and actor playing Mark Antony to Richard Burton. Final cost reached $62 million making it most expensive film made up to that point. The film became biggest box-office success of 1963 in United States grossing $15.7 million though took years to earn back costs driving Fox near bankruptcy. Studio publicly blamed Taylor for production troubles suing Burton and Taylor unsuccessfully for allegedly damaging commercial prospects with behavior. Reviews were mixed finding Taylor overweight and voice too thin unfavorably comparing her with classically trained British co-stars. Taylor called Cleopatra low point in career saying studio cut scenes providing core of characterization. Her extramarital affair with co-star Richard Burton caused public scandal confirmed by paparazzi shot on yacht in Ischia. Vatican condemned them for erotic vagrancy while US Congress considered barring re-entry into country. She divorced Eddie Fisher on the 5th of March 1964 in Puerto Vallarta marrying Burton ten days later at Ritz-Carlton Montreal.
Dubbed Liz and Dick by media Taylor and Burton starred together in eleven films leading jet-set lifestyle spending millions on furs diamonds paintings designer clothes travel food liquor yacht and jet. Sociologist Karen Sternheimer states they became cottage industry of speculation about alleged life of excess from reports of massive spending affairs even open marriage. They represented new era of gotcha celebrity coverage where more personal story meant better coverage. Their first joint project after hiatus was Vincente Minnelli's The Sandpiper released in 1965 grossing successful $14 million despite largely negative reviews. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? opened to glorious reviews becoming one of biggest commercial successes of year when it premiered in 1966. Taylor gained weight wore wig used makeup making herself look older tired contrasting starkly with glamorous film star image. Theatre director Mike Nichols hired at Taylor suggestion despite lack experience with film. Production differed from anything she done previously as Nichols wanted thorough rehearsal before filming began. Variety wrote characterization was sensual spiteful cynical pitiable loathsome lustful tender while Stanley Kauffmann stated she did best work career sustained urgent. Film won second Academy Award plus BAFTA National Board Review New York City Film Critics Circle awards for performance. Doctor Faustus received generally negative reviews grossing only $600,000 though Burton produced it as film same cast. The Taming of the Shrew posed challenge as Taylor only actor without Shakespeare experience yet Zeffirelli said this made performance interesting inventing part scratch. Reflections in a Golden Eye failed critically and commercially while The Comedians received mixed reviews box-office disappointment.
Taylor became one first celebrities participating in HIV/AIDS activism helping raise more than $270 million cause beginning mid-1980s. She organized hosting first AIDS fundraiser benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles in 1984 after frustration little being done combat disease despite media attention. August 1985 she Michael Gottlieb founded National AIDS Research Foundation following friend former co-star Rock Hudson announcement dying disease. Following month foundation merged Mathilde Krim's AIDS foundation forming American Foundation for AIDS Research amfAR. As amfAR focus research funding Taylor founded Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation ETAF 1991 raising awareness providing support services people HIV/AIDS paying overhead costs herself. Since death estate continued funding ETAF work donating 25% royalties use image likeness to foundation. In addition work people affected HIV/AIDS United States Taylor instrumental expanding amfAR operations other countries operating internationally. She testified before Senate House Ryan White Care Act 1986 1990 1992 persuading President Ronald Reagan acknowledge disease first time speech 1987 publicly criticizing presidents George H.W. Bush Bill Clinton lack interest combating disease. Taylor also founded Elizabeth Taylor Medical Center offering free HIV/AIDS testing care Whitman-Walker Clinic Washington DC plus Elizabeth Taylor Endowment Fund UCLA Clinical AIDS Research Education Center Los Angeles. In 2015 business partner Kathy Ireland claimed Taylor ran illegal underground network distributing medications Americans suffering HIV/AIDS during 1980s when Food Drug Administration not yet approved them claim challenged several people including amfAR vice-president development external affairs Taylor former publicist activists involved Project Inform 1980s 1990s.
Taylor married eight times seven men having four children converting Judaism enduring serious illnesses throughout life. At 18 she married Conrad Nicky Hilton Jr. heir Hilton Hotels chain Church Good Shepherd Beverly Hills the 6th of May 1950 MGM organized large expensive wedding becoming major media event. Weeks after wedding Taylor realized mistake few interests common him abusive heavy drinker suffering miscarriage violent outbursts announced separation the 14th of December 1950 granted divorce the 29th of January 1951 grounds mental cruelty eight months wedding. Second husband British actor Michael Wilding 20 years senior low-key ceremony Caxton Hall London the 21st of February 1952 relationship began returning film Ivanhoe 1951 found age gap appealing wanting calm quiet security friendship hoped marriage aided career Hollywood. They had two sons Michael Howard born the 6th of January 1953 Christopher Edward born the 27th of February 1955 Taylor 23rd birthday. When away filming Giant 1955 gossip magazine Confidential caused scandal claiming entertained strippers home announced separation the 18th of July 1956 divorced the 26th of January 1957. Three months pregnant married third husband theatre film producer Mike Todd Acapulco Guerrero Mexico the 2nd of February 1957 one daughter Elizabeth Liza Frances born the 6th of August 1957. His death plane crash the 22nd of March 1958 left Taylor devastated comforted friend Todd's hers singer Eddie Fisher soon began affair Fisher still married actress Debbie Reynolds resulting public scandal branding homewrecker.
Taylor considered fashion icon both film costumes personal style at MGM designed mostly Helen Rose Edith Head 1960s Irene Sharaff. Most famous costumes include white ball gown A Place in Sun Grecian dress Cat on Hot Tin Roof green A-line dress Suddenly Last Summer slip fur coat BUtterfield 8. Look Cleopatra started trend cat-eye makeup done black eyeliner. She collected jewelry through life owning Krupp Diamond Taylor-Burton Diamond La Peregrina Pearl all three gifts husband Richard Burton published book My Love Affair with Jewelry 2002 helping popularize work fashion designers Valentino Garavani Halston received Lifetime Glamour Award Council Fashion Designers America CFDA 1997. After death jewelry fashion collections auctioned Christie's benefiting AIDS foundation ETAF. Jewelry sold record-breaking sum $156.8 million clothes accessories further $5.5 million. Taylor struggled health problems most life born scoliosis broke back filming National Velvet 1944 fracture undetected several years causing chronic back problems. In 1956 underwent operation removing spinal discs replaced donated bone prone other illnesses injuries necessitating surgery. In 1961 survived near-fatal pneumonia requiring tracheotomy treated bacteriophage. Emergency hysterectomy 1968 exacerbated back contributing hip problems self-medicating addicted alcohol prescription pain killers tranquilizers treated Betty Ford Center seven weeks December 1983 January 1984 becoming first celebrity openly admit clinic relapsed later decade entering rehabilitation again 1988.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was Elizabeth Taylor born and where did she grow up?
Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born on the 27th of February 1932 at Heathwood, her family's home at 8 Wildwood Road in Hampstead Garden Suburb. She moved to Los Angeles with her family in 1939 to begin her acting career as a child actress.
What caused Elizabeth Taylor's eyes to appear violet instead of blue?
Her blue eyes appeared violet due to a genetic mutation that caused them to be rimmed by dark double eyelashes. This unique physical trait became one of her most recognizable features throughout her life.
How much money did Elizabeth Taylor earn for playing Cleopatra in 1963?
Taylor became the first movie star paid $1 million for a role when 20th Century-Fox released Cleopatra in 1963. Fox also granted her 10% of the film's gross profits plus shooting rights in Todd-AO widescreen format inherited from Mike Todd.
Why did Elizabeth Taylor become involved in HIV/AIDS activism during the 1980s?
She began raising more than $270 million for the cause starting mid-1980s after frustration over little being done to combat the disease despite media attention. Her involvement included organizing the first AIDS fundraiser benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles in 1984 and founding the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation ETAF in 1991.
Who was Elizabeth Taylor married to on the 5th of March 1964 and where did they get married?
Elizabeth Taylor divorced Eddie Fisher on the 5th of March 1964 in Puerto Vallarta before marrying Richard Burton ten days later at Ritz-Carlton Montreal. Their extramarital affair caused public scandal confirmed by paparazzi shots taken on a yacht in Ischia.