Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn

During a career that spanned over forty years she picked up an Oscar as well as a whole host of other nominations before going on to be a humanitarian.

Hepburn didn't always want to be an actress as in her childhood she took up ballet in hope of being a prima ballerina.

But it was not to be for the young Hepburn after Marie Rambert believed that she would not achieve her dancing dream and so she turned to acting.

She kicked off her acting career in the theatre in a b id to help her mother make some money but it wasn't long before movies came calling.

She landed small roles in the likes of One Wild Oat, The Lavender hill Mob and Monte Carlo Baby but it was 1953 when she saw her career soar.

1953 saw her land the role of Princess Ann in Roman Holiday alongside Gregory Peck with William Wyler in the director's chair.

It was Peck who suggested that Hepburn get equal billing in the movie and her name was moved above the title alongside his.

It was a performance that really put Hepburn on the map as she was praised by the critics and landed her first Best Actress Oscar nomination.

And her first nomination brought her a win and all the studios were clambering to sign her.

She signed a seven picture contract with Paramount - a contract which allowed her to also work on the stage as well as on the big screen.

Sabrina was her next movie project as she starred alongside Humphrey Bogart and she picked up another Oscar nomination.

She moved with ease from the big screen to the stage as she starred in Ondine on Broadway and more success followed as she picked up a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play.

Throughout the fifties she went on to star in War and Peace, Love in the Afternoon and Funny Face but it was to be The Nun's Story before she picked up another Oscar nomination.

The Nun's Story was an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Kathryn Hulme that saw her star with Peter Finch.

And while she did pick up another Best Actress nomination she missed out on the Oscar as it went to Simone Signoret for Room at the Top.

But it was 1961 that brought the actress her most famous role as she starred as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's.

That little black dress is one of the most enduring images of cinema and it remains her most famous movie and role.

Another Oscar nomination followed for her fantastic performance but she lost out to Sophie Loren.

Charade, Paris When it Sizzles followed and before she took on the role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady - a role many expected would go to Julie Andrews.

The movie was another hit for Hepburn but there was huge surprise when she was over looked for a Best Actress nomination.

Her final Oscar nod came in 1967 for her performance in Wait Until Dark - however she was overlooked for the win once again.

As well as an acting icon Hepburn is also well know for the humanitarian work, doing that vast majority of it with UNICEF.

Audrey Hepburn remains one of the greatest acting and fashion icons that has ever graced the big screen and her star shines as brightly today as it did at the height of her success.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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