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Audrey Hepburn Facts

Audrey Hepburn Facts
Audrey Hepburn was a film and fashion icon most well known as an actress during Hollywood's Golden Age. She was born Audrey Kathleen Ruston on May 4th, 1929, in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium, to Joseph Victor Anthony Hepburn-Ruston and Ella van Heemstra, a Dutch baroness. She led a sheltered and privileged early childhood, in which she learned to speak five languages. Her father became heavily involved in Fascist activity during World War II, and left the family. When the Germans invaded Arnhem Audrey and her mother used the name Heemstra to avoid persecution. Following WWII, Audrey began Ballet training and landed her first film role in 1948, in Dutch in Seven Lessons as an airline stewardess.
Interesting Audrey Hepburn Facts:
Audrey was told that despite her ballet training she would not make a prima ballerina because of her weak constitution (a result of wartime nutrition). She was determined to focus on acting as a result.
Audrey was working in Sauce Piquante when a casting director spotted her.
Audrey had minor roles in several movies in 1951 including One Wild Oat, Laughter in Paradise, Young Wives' Tale, and The Lavender Hill Mob.
The first major supporting role Audrey was cast in was as a ballerina in The Secret People, in 1952.
While filming a small role in the 1952 film Monte Carlo Baby, a French novelist named Colette discovered Audrey and cast her in a play titled Gigi on Broadway.
The first starring role Audrey Hepburn played was as Princess Anne in Roman Holiday - opposite Gregory peck. Elizabeth Taylor had been pegged for the role but after the screen test - Audrey won the role.
Roman Holiday was a huge success and Audrey Hepburn won an Academy Award for Best Actress. She also won a Golden Globe for Best Actress, and a BAFTA Award for Best British Actress in a Leading Role for her portrayal of Princess Anne.
Audrey Hepburn was featured on the cover of Time magazine in September 1953.
Audrey Hepburn played in Sabrina (1954), along with Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. She was nominated for the Oscar and won the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Audrey Hepburn married Mel Ferrer, her co-star in the Broadway play Ondine, on September 25th, 1954.
Audrey Hepburn went on to star in War and Peace (1956), Funny Face (1957), Love in the Afternoon (1957), The Nun's Story (1959), Green Mansions (1959), The Unforgiven (1960), Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), The Children's Hour (1961), Charade (1963), Paris When It Sizzles (1964), My Fair Lady (1964), How to Steal a Million (1966), Two for the Road (1967), Wait Until Dark (1967), Robin and Marian (1976), Bloodline (1979), and her last starring role in 1981 in They All Laughed.
In 1969, following the end of her marriage to Mel Ferrar and the birth of their son, Audrey married Andrea Dotti. They had a son together as well. She suffered many miscarriages during her marriages.
Audrey Hepburn was active in humanitarian work. She traveled the world to fight childhood poverty. She was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF.
Audrey Hepburn died on January 20th, 1993, from a rare form of abdominal cancer.
Audrey Hepburn is considered one of the greatest female stars of all time.


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