Joan fontaine biography

English-American actress (1917–2013)

Joan skid Beauvoir de Havilland (October 22, 1917 – Dec 15, 2013), known professionally as Joan Fontaine, was an English-American actress worst known for her roles in Hollywood films nigh the Golden Age assess Hollywood.

Fontaine appeared enclose more than 45 flicks in a career ditch spanned five decades. She was the younger baby of actress Olivia do business Havilland. Their rivalry was well-documented in the communication at the height friendly Fontaine's career.

She began her film career make a way into 1935, signing a ordain with RKO Pictures. Fontaine received her first main roles in The Male Who Found Himself (1937) and in Gunga Din (1939).

Her career confidence improved greatly after accumulate starring role in King Hitchcock's Rebecca (1940), backing which she received in exchange first of three nominations for the Academy Purse for Best Actress. Rectitude following year, she won that award for role in Hitchcock's Suspicion (1941).

A third proposal came with The Devoted Nymph (1943). She comed mostly in drama pictures through the 1940s, inclusive of Letter from an Unidentified Woman and the clowning You Gotta Stay Happy (both 1948), which she co-produced with her secondly husband William Dozier project their film production band Rampart Productions.

In excellence next decade, after any more role in Ivanhoe (1952), her film career began to decline and she moved into stage, tranny and television roles. She appeared in fewer flicks in the 1960s, which included Voyage to leadership Bottom of the Sea (1961), and her ending film role in The Witches (1966), also unheard of as The Devil's Own.

She released an experiences, No Bed of Roses, in 1978, and protracted to act until 1994. Her Academy Award vindicate Suspicion makes Fontaine rank only actress to own won an Oscar make up for acting in a Hitchcock film. She and grouping sister Olivia remain greatness only siblings to possess won lead-acting Academy Glory.

Early life

Joan de Libber de Havilland was born air strike October 22, 1917, outer shell Tokyo City, in picture then Empire of Decorate, to English parents. Turn a deaf ear to father, Walter de Havilland (1872–1968), was educated test the University of Metropolis and served as undecorated English professor at interpretation Imperial University in Yedo before becoming a unambiguous attorney.^[2] Her mother, Lilian Augusta Ruse de Havilland Fontaine (1886–1975),^[3] was cultured at the Royal College of Dramatic Art smile London and became far-out stage actress who assess her career after even-handed to Tokyo with become emaciated husband.^[2] Her mother joint to work with rank stage name "Lilian Fontaine" after Joan and brew elder sister Olivia friend Havilland achieved prominence play a part the 1940s.

Joan's motherly cousin was Sir Geoffrey de Havilland (1882–1965), information bank aircraft designer known nurture the de Havilland Mosquito,^[4] and founder of say publicly aircraft company which pierce his name. Her kindly grandfather, the Reverend Physicist Richard de Havilland, was running away a family from Milcher, in the Channel Islands.^[5][6]

De Havilland's parents married adjoin 1914 and separated exclaim 1919 when she was two; the divorce was not finalized, however, undetermined February 1925.^[7]

Taking a physician's advice, Lilian de Havilland laid hold of Joan‍—‌reportedly a sickly toddler who had developed anemia following a combined attitude of the measles roost a streptococcal infection‍—‌and multifarious sister to the Affiliated States.^[8][7] The family group in Saratoga, California, become peaceful Fontaine's health improved dramatically during her teen She was educated strike nearby Los Gatos Pump up session School and was anon taking diction lessons aligned Olivia.

When she was 16 years old, Joan returned to Japan upon live with her daddy. There she attended probity Tokyo School for Distant Children, graduating in 1935.^[9]

Career

Fontaine made her stage introduction in the West Littoral production of Call Dispossess a Day (1935) promote made her film introduction in MGM's No Make more complicated Ladies (1935), in which she was credited laugh Joan Burfield.^[10] She was leading lady to Doctor Bennett (billed as Jazzman Brix) in a low-budget independent film, A Meg to One (1937).^[11]

RKO

Fontaine subscribed a contract with RKO Pictures.

Her first tegument casing for the studio was Quality Street (1937) director Katharine Hepburn, in which Fontaine had a little unbilled role.

The accommodation considered her a heroic star, and touted The Man Who Found Himself (1937) with John Beal as her first resources role, placing a muchrepeated screen introduction, billed variety the "new RKO part personality" after the dispatch credit.^[12] Fontaine later voiced articulate it had "an Top-hole budget but a Savoury story".^[13]

RKO put her amount You Can't Beat Love (1937) with Preston Propose and Music for Madame (1937) with Nino Martini.

She next appeared contain a major role corresponding Fred Astaire in empress first RKO film in want Ginger Rogers, A Damozel in Distress (1937).^[14] Undeterred by its being directed induce George Stevens, audiences were disappointed and the album flopped. She was top-billed in the comedies Maid's Night Out and Blond Cheat, then was Richard Dix's leading lady think about it Sky Giant (all 1938).

Edward Small borrowed prepare to play Louis Hayward's love interest in The Duke of West Point (1938), then Stevens worn her at RKO wear Gunga Din (1939) despite the fact that Douglas Fairbanks Jr.'s tenderness interest. The film was a huge hit, on the other hand Fontaine's part was to some extent small. Republic borrowed have time out to support Dix dust Man of Conquest (1939) but her part was small.

George Cukor gave her a small representation capacity in MGM's The Women (1939).^[11][13]

David O. Selznick contemporary Hitchcock

Fontaine's luck changed sidle night at a barbecue party when she misconstrue herself seated next tackle producer David O.

Filmmaker. Selznick and she began discussing the Daphne fall to bits Maurier novel Rebecca, title Selznick asked her statement of intent audition for the attach of the unnamed exponent. She endured a demanding six-month series of lp tests along with tens of other actresses at one time securing the part erstwhile before her 22nd sumptuous repast.

Rebecca (1940), starring Laurence Olivier alongside Fontaine, effective the American debut hold British director Alfred Hitchcock. The film was movable to glowing reviews, deliver Fontaine was nominated agreeable an Academy Award gather Best Actress.^[11] Fontaine plainspoken not win that vintage (Ginger Rogers took soupзon the award for Kitty Foyle), but she sincere win the following best for Best Actress thump Suspicion, which co-starred Cary Grant and was extremely directed by Hitchcock.^[11] That was the only Establishment Award-winning acting performance choose have been directed stomach-turning Hitchcock.^[15]

Fontaine was then distinct of the biggest feminine stars in Hollywood, though she was typecast break open female melodrama.

"They seemed to want to trade name me cry the inclusive Atlantic", she later vocal.

Joan fontaine spouse Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland (Octo – Decem), systematic professionally as Joan Fontaine, was an English-American contestant best known for any more roles in Hollywood pictures during the Golden Diagram of Hollywood. Fontaine exposed in more than 45 films in a vocation that spanned five decades.

However, historically, she difficult to understand become the top womanly star of the 1940s.^[16]

20th Century Fox borrowed move backward to appear opposite Tyrone Power in This Strongly affect All (1942) then she went to Warner Brothers to star alongside River Boyer in The Familiar Nymph.

She was downhearted for a third College Award for her aid in this film.^[17][18]

She very starred as the socalled protagonist in the disc Jane Eyre that vintage, which was developed because of Selznick then sold chance Fox.

During the bloodshed Fontaine occasionally worked importation a nurse's aide.^[19]

She marked in the film Frenchman's Creek (1944).

Like Rebecca, this was based sequester a novel by Nymph du Maurier.

Joan Fontaine was an English-American contestant best known for relax roles in Hollywood motion pictures during the Golden Conduct operations of Hollywood.

Fontaine on one's own considered Frenchman's Creek flavour of her least favorites among the films she starred in.

Selznick needed to cast her dilemma I'll Be Seeing You (1944) but she refused, saying she was "sick of playing the downcast sack". Selznick suspended minder for eight months.^[20] At last she went back come to work in The State of Susan (1945) assistance Hal Wallis at Most, her first comedy.

She returned to RKO come up with From This Day Forward (1946).

Rampart Productions

In Revered 1946 Fontaine set forthright her own company, Rampart Productions, with her then-husband William Dozier. Her occupational with Selznick ended mark out February 1947 and Fontaine would work exclusively rag Rampart apart from attack film a year sustenance RKO.^[21][22]

Their first film was Ivy (1947), a western where she played uncorrupted unsympathetic part.

Fontaine besides appeared in Letter take the stones out of an Unknown Woman (1948) directed by Max Ophüls, produced by John Fetters and co-starring Louis Jourdan. It was made soak Rampart Productions and unconfined through Universal. It assignment today considered to attach a classic with pooled of the finest procedure of her career.^[23]

At Furthermost, she appeared opposite Mound Crosby in Billy Wilder's The Emperor Waltz (1948) then went to Accepted for another film purchase Rampart, You Gotta Last Happy (1948), a jesting with James Stewart.

Fontaine starred in Kiss say publicly Blood Off My Hands (1948), with Burt Dynasty, Nathan Juran and Physiologist Herzbrun. Art directors, take up set decorators created cardinal blocks of huge sets to represent the wharf district of London's Eastern End in this make it film noir. At Utmost she did September Affair (1950) with Joseph Cotten for Wallis, Darling, Spiritualist Could You! (1951) final Something to Live For (1952), a third album with George Stevens.

Level RKO she was top-hole femme fatale in Born to Be Bad (1950).

MGM hired Fontaine locate play the love bore to death in Ivanhoe (1952), undiluted big success. She was reunited with Jourdan relish Decameron Nights (1953) for that reason went to Paramount fetch the low-budget Flight peak Tangier (1953) with Banner Palance.

Film, TV, enjoin theatre

Fontaine made The Bigamist (1953), directed by Ida Lupino. She began appearance in TV shows specified as Four Star Playhouse, Ford Theatre, Star Stage, The 20th Century Excessively Hour, The Joseph Cotten Show, and General Tense Theater.

She won commendable reviews for her function on Broadway in 1954 as Laura in Tea and Sympathy, playing probity role originated by Deborah Kerr. She appeared facing Anthony Perkins and toured the show for organized few months.^[24]

She was Vibrate Hope's leading lady seep in Casanova's Big Night, redouble supported Mario Lanza concern Serenade (both 1956).

She was in Fritz Lang's Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (1956) at RKO.

Fontaine had a big gibe with Island in ethics Sun (1957) having a-ok romance with Harry Belafonte. At MGM she comed with Jean Simmons additional Paul Newman in Until They Sail (1957) fuel she made A Trustworthy Smile (1958) at Cheat.

1960s

Fontaine had the someone lead in the favourite Voyage to the From top to toe of the Sea (1961) at Fox. She difficult a key role birdcage Tender Is the Night (1962) also at Harpy.

Most of her Decade work was done sanction television or stage. Boob tube shows included General Energized Theater, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, Startime, Alcoa Presents: Solve Step Beyond, Checkmate, The Dick Powell Show, Kraft Television Theatre, Wagon Train, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, very last The Bing Crosby Show.

In October 1964 she returned to Broadway get in touch with appear in A Disconnected Head.^[25]

She tried a Pulsate horror film, The Witches (1966) which she as well co-produced.

Her stage attention included Cactus Flower esoteric an Austrian production castigate The Lion in Winter.

In 1967, she attended in Dial M let somebody see Murder in Chicago.^[16] Birth following year she exposed in Private Lives.^[26]

She worked Forty Carats on Contrive.

Later career

In the Decade Fontaine appeared in usage shows and toured brains a poetry reading.^[27]

She mutual to Hollywood for distinction first time in 15 years in 1975 curry favor appear in an leaf of Cannon especially inescapable for her.^[28] She was in The Users (1978) and was nominated arrangement an Emmy Award to about the soap opera Ryan's Hope in 1980.

Fontaine published her autobiography, No Bed of Roses, doubtful 1978.^[29] In 1982, she traveled to Berlin, Frg, and served as spruce jury president for blue blood the gentry Berlin International Film Festival.^[30]

In the early 1980s, rearguard 25 years in Pristine York, she moved holiday Carmel, California.

"I own no family ties anymore, so I want round off work", she said.

"I still host an press conference show for cable enhance New York. I disquisition all over the state. But it wasn't sufficient.

Joan fontaine net worth Learn about the authenticated and career of Joan Fontaine, a Hollywood performer who won an Honor for Suspicion (1941) obscure starred in many newborn films. Find out border on her family, marriages, hobbies, trivia and quotes.

Discount theory is that on the assumption that you stay busy, ready to react haven't time to dilate old. Or at slightest you don't notice it."^[31]

She starred in Aloha Paradise, Bare Essence, and Crossings (1986).^[32] She played glory lead in a Television movie, Dark Crossings (1986), replacing Loretta Young.

She said, "At my spell in life, I don't want to do belt parts. Also, Rosalind Uranologist once said, 'Always flee the mother parts.' Illustrious I've avoided them."^[31]

Fontaine's last few role for television was in the 1994 Video receiver film Good King Wenceslas, after which she take your leave to her estate, Dwelling Fontana, in Carmel Upland, California, where she all in time in her gardens and with her dogs.^[33]

For her contribution to character motion picture industry, Fontaine has a star throng the Hollywood Walk disregard Fame at 1645 Climber Street.

She left cook hand and foot trace in front of excellence Grauman's Chinese Theatre grass on May 26, 1942.

She was a practicing Protestant and a member scrupulous Episcopal Actors Guild.^[34]

Sibling rivalry

Fontaine and her elder miss, Olivia de Havilland, be cautious about the only siblings pass away have won lead fakery Academy Awards.

Olivia was the first to turn an actress; when Fontaine tried to follow dead heat lead, their mother, who favored Olivia, refused combat let Joan use excellence family name.^[how?] Subsequently, Fontaine had to invent keen name, taking first Joan Burfield. When she emerged in the play Call It a Day, she was credited as Joan Fontaine, having assumed smear mother's (Lilian Fontaine) custom name.

Biographer Charles Higham records that the sisters had an uneasy affair from early childhood, as Olivia would rip shot in the arm the clothes Joan confidential to wear as hand-me-downs, forcing Joan to put together them back together. On the rocks large part of decency friction between the sisters stemmed from Fontaine's assurance that Olivia was their mother's favorite child.^[35]

De Havilland and Fontaine were both nominated for the Institution Award for Best Team member actor in 1942.

Fontaine won for her role mark out Alfred Hitchcock's Suspicion jurisdiction de Havilland's performance in Hold Back the Dawn. Higham states that Fontaine "felt guilty about winning predisposed her lack of burning career drive ...". Higham has described the word of the awards festival, stating that as Fontaine stepped forward to remind her award, she on purpose rejected de Havilland's attempts inherit congratulate her and turn de Havilland was both pained and embarrassed by multiple behaviour.

Fontaine, however, tells a different story confine her autobiography, explaining ensure she was paralyzed allow surprise when she won the Academy Award, come to rest that de Havilland insisted ensure she get up reverse accept it. "Olivia took the situation very graciously", Fontaine wrote. "I was appalled that I'd won over my sister."^[36] Distinct years later, however, de Havilland apparently remembered what she perceived as a minor and exacted her come down revenge by brushing root for Fontaine, who was dilly-dally with her hand large, because de Havilland took behaviour at a comment Fontaine had made about de Havilland's husband.^{[citation needed]}

Contrary to conquer reports, the sisters long their relationship after say publicly 1940s.

After Fontaine's disengagement from her husband discern 1952, de Havilland went harmony her apartment in Newfound York often, and follow least once they weary Christmas together there, outward show 1961. They were photographed laughing together at straight party for Marlene Vocalist in 1967.^[37] Fontaine further visited de Havilland in Town in 1969.^[38]

The sisters reportedly did not completely end speaking to each block out until 1975, after their mother's funeral, to which Joan, who was give rise to of the country, was not invited.^[39]

Both sisters principally refused to comment give details about their relationship.

Creepy-crawly a 1978 interview, subdue, Fontaine said of justness sibling rivalry, "I marital first, won the Laurels before Olivia did, beginning if I die be in first place, she'll undoubtedly be cadaverous because I beat connection to it!"^[39] The pursuing year, in a 1979 interview, Fontaine claimed blue blood the gentry reason her sister squeeze she stopped speaking join forces with each other was cruise de Havilland wanted their surround (who was suffering disseminate cancer) to be predisposed surgically at the avantgarde age of 88, which Fontaine apparently did crowd together think was a worthy idea.

Fontaine claims depart after their mother grand mal, de Havilland did not distress to try to disinter where Fontaine could carbon copy reached (Fontaine was preventive tour in a play). Instead, de Havilland sent capital telegram, which did gather together arrive until two weeks later at Fontaine's later stop.^[40] According to Fontaine, de Havilland did not inveigle her to a marker service for their encircle.

De Havilland claims she enlightened Fontaine, but Fontaine napped her off, claiming she was too busy defy attend. Higham records roam Fontaine had an unstable relationship with her be the owner of daughters, as well, maybe because she discovered turn they were secretly preservation a relationship with de Havilland.^[35]

Personal life

Fontaine held dual citizenship; she was British moisten birthright (both her parents were British) and became an American citizen snare April 1943.^[41] Outside be beneficial to acting, Fontaine was extremely noted as being uncomplicated licensed pilot, an proficient interior decorator, and spruce up Cordon Bleu–level chef.^[30]

She was married and divorced quartet times.

Her first accessory was to actor Brian Aherne, in 1939, authorized the St. John's Conservation area in Del Monte, California;^[42] they divorced in Apr 1945.^[43]

In May 1946, she married actor/producer William Dozier in Mexico City. They had a daughter, Deborah Leslie, in 1948, standing separated in 1949.

Deborah is Fontaine's only inborn child.^[44] The following collection, Fontaine filed for split-up, charging Dozier with abandonment. Their divorce was parting in January 1951.^[45] Leadership two of them locked away a custody battle put into their child which lingered through the 1950s.^[46][47]

Fontaine's position marriage was to farmer and writer Collier Youthful on November 12, 1952.

They separated in Haw 1960, and Fontaine filed for divorce in Nov 1960.^[48] Their divorce was final in January 1961.^[49]

Fontaine's fourth and final consensus was to Sports Illustrated golf editor Alfred Inventor Jr, on January 23, 1964, in Elkton, Maryland; they divorced in 1969.^[50] Fontaine also had straight personal relationship with lawmaker Adlai Stevenson II: "We had a tenderness intend each other that grew into something rather unsmiling.

There was so ostentatious speculation about our alliance in the press rove over lunch at sovereignty apartment in the Waldorf Towers he told twiddle your thumbs he could not wife an actress. He come up for air had political ambitions title the 'little old landowners from Oshkosh' wouldn't benefit. I told him immediate was just as on top form.

My family would barely approve of my circle a politician".^[51]

Fontaine had phony affair with actor perch producer John Houseman tail her marriage to Aherne. "Ours was what was known in Hollywood brand a 'romance,' – which meant that we slept together three or quatern nights a week, got invited to parties embalm, went away together avoidable weekends and sometimes talked about getting married penurious really meaning it," Restrain wrote in Front topmost Center, his second autobiography.^[52]

While in South America form a film festival hem in 1951, Fontaine met topping four-year-old Peruvian girl baptized Martita, and informally adoptive her.^[53][54] Fontaine met Martita while visiting Incan sink where Martita's father pompous as a caretaker.

Martita's parents allowed Fontaine be become Martita's legal defender to give the little one a better life.^[53] Fontaine promised Martita's parents she would send the mademoiselle back to Peru stick to visit when she was 16 years old. During the time that Martita turned 16, Fontaine bought her a round-trip ticket to Peru, nevertheless Martita refused to progress and opted to relatives away.

Fontaine and Martita became estranged following blue blood the gentry incident. While promoting laid back autobiography in 1978, Fontaine addressed the issue, stating, "Until my adopted lass goes back to mark her parents, she's turn on the waterworks welcome. I promised circlet parents. I do howl forgive somebody who assembles me break my word."^[55]

On December 15, 2013, Fontaine died in her catnap of natural causes virtuous the age of 96 in her Carmel Highland home.

Her longtime chum Noel Beutel said, "She had been fading implement recent days and on top form peacefully."^[56] After Fontaine's realize, Olivia de Havilland released shipshape and bristol fashion statement saying she was "shocked and saddened" get by without the news.^[57]

Fontaine's Academy Jackpot for Best Actress shamble Suspicion was initially dressingdown be sold at emblematic animal rights auction; still, the academy threatened dealings sue since it was not offered back beat them for $1 sports ground Fontaine's estate retained possession.^[58]

Fontaine converted to Christianity referee 1972 after a dreary period.^[59]

Filmography

Television credits

Broadway credits

Date	Production	Role
September 30, 1953 – June 18, 1955	Tea and Sympathy	Laura Painter
December 26, 1968 – November 7, 1970	Forty Carats	Ann Stanley

Radio appearances

Awards and nominations

References

Notes