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Last updated on the 10 May 2024 by Maeve
Mini Biography
Born: 27 February 1932, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, England.Â
Elizabeth Taylor, born Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor, was a British-American actress who captivated audiences for over six decades. Her life was a whirlwind of Hollywood glamour, critically acclaimed performances and a personal life that became tabloid fodder.
Born to American parents in London, Taylor’s family relocated to Los Angeles when she was a child. Even then, hints of her future stardom emerged. With striking violet eyes and an undeniable charm, she secured a film contract at just nine years old. Despite a brief setback, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) studios soon recognised her potential and signed her as a teen.
Elizabeth Taylor’s early career focused on roles that capitalised on her youthful beauty. Films like “National Velvet” (1944) showcased her charisma and cemented her status as a rising star. As she matured, MGM sought to transition her into more adult roles. The 1950s saw her take on diverse characters, from the comedic bride in “Father of the Bride” (1950) to the troubled socialite in “A Place in the Sun” (1951), which garnered her critical acclaim.
By the 1960s, Taylor had become a full-fledged Hollywood icon. Her onscreen partnership with the legendary Richard Burton, fuelled by both their undeniable talent and stormy off-screen romance, captivated audiences. Films like “Cleopatra” (1963) and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” (1965), for which she won her first Academy Award, solidified her place among Hollywood’s elite.
Elizabeth Taylor’s personal life was as dramatic as some of her on-screen portrayals. Married eight times, her tumultuous relationships with figures like Michael Todd and Eddie Fisher were splashed across headlines. Her lifelong friendship with Richard Burton, marked by two marriages and two divorces, became a media frenzy.
Beyond the glitz and glamour, Taylor was a strong and compassionate woman. A champion for various causes, she became a vocal advocate for people living with AIDS following the death of her friend Rock Hudson. She co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AMFAR) in 1985, tirelessly using her platform to raise awareness and funds.
Elizabeth Taylor passed away in 2011, leaving behind a legacy that transcended Hollywood. She was an actress of exceptional talent, a businesswoman and a humanitarian who used her voice to make a difference. Her life story, a captivating blend of professional triumphs and personal struggles, continues to fascinate audiences to this day.
WINNER | Film: British Actress for Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? (1967)
WINNER | Best actress for BUtterfield 8 (1961) and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1967)
Biopic
Suggested viewing
Cleopatra (1963)
Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.0
A young Egyptian queen maneuvers for her kingdom’s survival by captivating two powerful Romans. First, she uses her intellect and charm to seduce an aging general, gaining political advantage. After his demise, she falls for a passionate military leader, igniting a love that threatens the fragile peace between their empires.
Top cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, Pamela Brown, Roddy McDowall, Martin Landau, Francesca Annis, George Cole.
Under Milk Wood (1971)
Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 5.8
A blind sailor wanders a whimsical Welsh village under a starless night, weaving together the dreams and desires of its colorful residents – a lovelorn butcher, a gossipy milkman and a woman yearning for escape. Through his poetic narration, their inner lives intertwine in a tapestry of unspoken longings and the bittersweet beauty of small-town life.
Top cast: Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter O’Toole, Glynis Johns, Vivien Merchant, Siân Phillips, Victor Spinetti, Ryan Davies, Angharad Rees.
Beau Brummell (1954)
Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.4
A charming yet arrogant socialite with impeccable taste becomes the arbiter of fashion for a bored prince. Their friendship blossoms, but the dandy’s sharp tongue and growing influence over the prince lead to a bitter falling out, leaving him ostracised and facing a lonely exile.
Top cast: Stewart Granger, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Ustinov, Robert Morley, James Donald, James Hayter, Rosemary Harris, Paul Rogers, Noel Willman, Peter Dyneley.
Full filmography (@Wikipedia)
 Elizabeth Taylor Gallery
