Vivien Leigh

Date of Birth: November 5, 1913

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: July 8, 1967

Biography

Vivien Leigh, born Vivian Mary Hartley, was an acclaimed English actress known for her extraordinary beauty and exceptional acting talent. She was born on November 5, 1913, in Darjeeling, India, to a British cavalry officer and his wife. Leigh’s passion for acting was evident from a young age, and she pursued her dream by studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Leigh’s breakthrough role came in 1939 when she played Scarlett O’Hara in the epic film “Gone with the Wind,” for which she won her first Academy Award for Best Actress. Her portrayal of the strong-willed Southern belle remains one of the most iconic performances in film history. She won her second Academy Award for her role as Blanche DuBois in the 1951 film adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ play “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Vivien Leigh was married twice, first to Herbert Leigh Holman, with whom she had a daughter, and later to actor Laurence Olivier, forming one of the most famous acting couples of their time. Despite her professional success, Leigh struggled with bipolar disorder and chronic tuberculosis, which affected her health and career. She continued to act in both films and stage productions throughout her life, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the greatest actresses of the 20th century. Vivien Leigh passed away on July 8, 1967, in London, England, at the age of 53.

5 Interesting Facts about Vivien Leigh

1. Vivien Leigh was the first British actress to win an Academy Award for Best Actress.

2. She was initially considered an unlikely choice for the role of Scarlett O’Hara, as she was relatively unknown in Hollywood at the time.

3. Leigh and Laurence Olivier were married for 20 years, and they often performed together on stage.

4. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the 1940s, a condition that affected her both personally and professionally.

5. In addition to her two Oscars, Leigh also won a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway musical “Tovarich.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Vivien Leigh

1. “I’m not a film star; I am an actress. Being a film star is such a false life, lived for fake values and for publicity.”

2. “I think acting is magic. If I tell you all about myself it will spoil it.”

3. “Life is too short to work so hard.”

4. “I never found accents difficult, after learning languages.”

5. “People think that if a man has a particular talent, everything else he does must be wonderful. It’s not true. Talent is an accident of genes – and a responsibility.”