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Elizabeth Taylor Biography
Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor (1932-2011) was considered an American-British actress because although she was born in London, both of her parents were American citizens. An icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Liz (as she came to be known) fascinated the public with her awe-inspiring performances, striking appearance, and glamorous lifestyle.
The Early Years
Elizabeth Taylor’s
legendary acting career began shortly after her parents moved the family
to the United States during World War II. Though she worked briefly with
Universal Studios, making her first film debut at the age of nine in the
movie ‘There’s One Born Every Minute’ in 1942, she seemed
destined for a career with MGM, a company that, as Taylor herself reported,
treated her with more kindness than her former employer.
However, Taylor’s career as a child actress was short-lived as many producers believed her eyes were too focused and serious, giving her the appearance of someone much older than her actual age. Ironically, it would be those violet-blue eyes and double eye-lashes that would later become her claim to fame.
Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet
Elizabeth’s teens proved to be much more successful in terms of
her acting career. After signing a seven-year contract with MGM, she starred
in the now classic film ‘National Velvet’ in 1944, a role
that would solidify her place in the movie industry and secure her more
than half a dozen subsequent adolescent roles.
Taylor’s voluptuous figure, mature expressions, and precocious sexuality made her transition from teen roles to adult ones seemingly effortless. Though not all of the films she starred in were met with critical acclaim or the desired box office profits, her personal performances were consistently impressive. In fact, they earned her two Academy Awards for Best Actress, constant attention from the press, and unwavering adoration from a growing number of fans.
Humanitarian
Elizabeth Taylor was as impressive offstage as she was in the limelight,
surprising everyone she met (from fellow celebrities to common janitors)
with her deliberate kindness, unpretentious nature, and apparent lack
of vanity. As passionate about her humanitarian efforts and charity work
as she was about her film career, Taylor co-founded the American Foundation
for AIDS Research, and later founded her own related organization called
the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF). She reportedly raised over
$270 million for the cause. Her diligent efforts earned her the Jean Herscholt
Humanitarian Academy award in 1992.
Moreover, Liz supported Jewish causes throughout her life by writing letters, signing protests, and of course, contributing financially. Heroically, she offered herself up as a substitute hostage during the Entebbe Skyjacking in 1976.
Personal Battles
Her charmed life was not without struggle. Throughout her years as an
actress, and then later as a public advocate for a variety of different
charity foundations, she went through seven divorces and at least twice
as many serious health conditions. She also admitted battling addictions
to sleeping pills, painkillers, and alcohol. In fact, Taylor checked herself
into the famous rehabilitation center, Betty Ford Clinic, twice—once
in 1983 and again in 1988.
Taylor experienced a variety of illnesses throughout her life including skin cancer, an esophageal puncture, two serious bouts of pneumonia, five events of a broken back, and a brain tumor amongst other health problems. In her lifetime, she was admitted to the hospital over 70 times and underwent twenty major operations. Elizabeth Taylor finally succumbed to congestive heart failure on March 23, 2011 at the age of 79.
Elizabeth Taylor Biography
Elizabeth Taylor: From Child Star to Leading Lady