Elizabeth Taylor

(For optimum viewing, adjust the zoom level of your browser to 125%.)



eliztaylor Last Updated: 6/10/22
Real Name: Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor
Born: February 27, 1932
Died: March 23, 2011 (aged 79)
Height: 5' 3"

Grade: A
Prime Years: 1944, 1951, 1956, and 1960-67
Most Famous Film: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Most Infamous Film: Cleopatra (1963)
Masterpiece: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
Outstanding: National Velvet (1944) and Giant (1956)
Honorable: A Place in the Sun (1951), The V.I.P.s (1963), and The Sandpiper (1965)

Opinion: Often ranked among the most beautiful women in the world, Elizabeth Taylor was an underrated actress who was even better in the presence of Richard Burton. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is the best work she had ever done, but unfortunately, her movie career went downhill afterwards. She could also be very classy as evidenced in Giant, A Place in the Sun, and The V.I.P.s. Not many realize this, but Elizabeth Taylor is probably the most succcessful thespian to make the transition from a child star to an A-list movie star.

Confirmed: Born in England but was never culturally British. Family was socially connected as her father ran an art gallery. Was hirsute all of her life and had double eyelashes and blue eyes that sometimes appeared violet. Was pushed by her mother to be an actress; first appeared in Hollywood films at age 9 despite zero professional training. Had a breakout role three years later in National Velvet. Was one of the last stars to be groomed into the studio system before it collapsed. Nominated for five Oscars, winning two for BUtterfield 8 (merely out of sympathy as she was near death from pneumonia) and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Had long disliked BUtterfield 8, publicly admitting she didn't deserve the win. Became the first movie star to be paid one million dollars for a movie role (Cleopatra).

Well known for her eight marriages; was once labeled a "homewrecker" when Eddie Fisher cheated on Debbie Reynolds with her, but her marriage with Richard Burton is so legendary that no other Hollywood marriage, before or since then, can't hold a candle to it, giving a rise to the cottage industry of paparazzi. Whatever they did constantly made news all over the world which started with their extramatrial affair during the filming of Cleopatra, prompting a condemnation from the Vatican (both were married at that time). Turned a sleepy Mexican town (Puerto Vallarta) into an international tourist destination when she visited Richard Burton during the filming of The Night of the Iguana. Did eleven films together; were alcoholics and had violent rows frequently. Converted to Judiasm in 1959 and later took up a lot of causes in the name of religion.

Had several near-death experiences with one of them leaving a visible tracheotomy scar. A longtime smoker who became addicted to prescription drugs; suffered from weight and chronic back issues which began with riding horses while working on National Velvet. Was very good friends with Montgomery Clift; a small party thrown at her house on May 12, 1956, was when the automobile accident happened, permanently ruining him. Kept an expensive collection of jewelry, but loved diamonds the most; was once gifted by Richard Burton the most expensive diamond in the world (paid $1,100,000 for it which was later renamed as the Taylor–Burton Diamond and is now valued over $10 million).

Among the first celebrities to be an advocate of finding a cure for HIV/AIDS, especially after Rock Hudson's death, when it was considered as an unpopular move. Found a new career by specializing in celebrity-branded perfume, most especially Passion and White Diamonds, which made her more money than acting ever did. Had children but was never much of a mother. Loved animals, but they often roamed around the house without being cleaned up. Was uneducated in the academic sense but was street smart and had good instincts. Often swore like a sailor, shocking everybody who never thought of her this way.

Rumors: None