Vivien Leigh
Born on Wed, November 5, 1913
Vivien Leigh, originally named Vivian Mary Hartley, entered the world on November 5, 1913, in Darjeeling, which was then part of British India. She rose to fame as a prominent English actress, achieving success both in the Hollywood film industry and on the stages of British theater. Her exceptional talent earned her recognition as one of the most talented actresses of her time.
Leigh distinguished herself by winning two prestigious Academy Awards for Best Actress. She earned her first Oscar for her iconic portrayal of Scarlett O'Hara in the epic film *Gone with the Wind*, released in 1939. Later, she received another Academy Award for her compelling performance as Blanche DuBois in *A Streetcar Named Desire*, a film produced in 1951. These two roles significantly solidified her legacy and reputation as one of the greatest actresses in the history of classic cinema.
Her background was somewhat unique, as she was the only child born to Ernest Hartley, a British stockbroker, and Gertrude Yackjee, who had Anglo-Indian and Armenian ancestry. Vivien spent her formative years moving between England and various parts of Europe. Her education began in convent schools before she decided to pursue formal training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London in 1932. This marked the beginning of her journey toward a successful acting career.
Leigh's career began in film with a role in *Things Are Looking Up* in 1934. She went on to appear in other British films, including *Fire Over England* in 1937, where she first acted alongside Laurence Olivier. Their professional relationship soon blossomed into a passionate and highly publicized romance, attracting significant attention from the public.
Her big break came with the role of Scarlett O'Hara in *Gone with the Wind*. The casting process for this part was extensive, involving hundreds of actresses. Her performance earned her widespread international recognition and admiration, firmly establishing her as a star.
Throughout her career, Leigh dealt with the challenges of bipolar disorder, which had a deep impact on both her professional life and her personal relationships. She also suffered from chronic tuberculosis, which was initially diagnosed in the mid-1940s. This illness eventually led to her death on July 8, 1967, at the relatively young age of 53. Even after her passing, Vivien Leigh’s legacy as one of the greatest actresses of classic Hollywood endures, with the American Film Institute ranking her as the 16th greatest female movie star.
St. Martin's Lane
as Liberty
Laurence Olivier: a life
as Self ( Archive footage )
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
as Self (archive footage)
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
as Self (archive footage)
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
as Self
Storm in a Teacup
as Victoria Gow
Gentlemen's Agreement
as Phil Stanley
A Yank at Oxford
as Elsa Craddock
