photo credit: doortoriver
This week's birthday belongs to the Grand Dame of Hollywood and a diamond merchant's best friend.
Elizabeth Taylor (2/27/1932) - 77. Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born to wealthy American parents living in London. She went on to become one of Hollywood's great actresses. Her parents, an art dealer and former actress, were welcomed by the California elite upon their return to the U.S., and, at age 8, Taylor was soon cast as the daughter of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind. She signed with Universal Studios at 9 and was cast in small roles in numerous films until her breakthrough in National Velvet. By the 1960's, Elizabeth was the highest paid actress, demanding a then astounding $1 million to play Cleopatra with Richard Burton. Other notable films: Butterfield 8, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Father of the Bride and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
Despite a staggering number of industry awards, Taylor's acting career paled in comparison to her sensational and tabloid-friendly personal life including eight marriages, a stormy relationship with twice wed Richard Burton, alcohol and drug addiction, two rehabs stays and significant weight gain. Taylor has been an energetic fundraiser for AIDS research. She was a close friend of Rock Hudson and remains a close friend and supporter of Michael Jackson, attending his 2005 molestation trial. Taylor follows the teachings of Kabbalah. In recent years, tabloid reports of Taylor's imminent death have been rampant. She disputes ill health and says that she only uses a wheelchair due to osteoporosis, scoliosis, other long time back problems. She's had hip replacements, heart issues and a benign brain tumor. In April 2008, even she thought she was dying when she was rushed to the hospital after an overdose of alcohol and pain meds.
Married eight times: Conrad Hilton 7 months, Michael Wilding 5 year, Michael Todd (killed in a plane crash) 1 year, Eddie Fisher 5 years, Richard Burton 12 years (they divorced after ten years, remarried after 1 year apart for 2 years) Virginia Senator, John Warner 6 years and Larry Fortensky (who she met in rehab) 5 years. Taylor has four children: sons Michael and Christopher with Wilding, daughter Elizabeth with Todd and with Fisher, adopted daughter, Maria, who was later adopted by Burton.
Best line: The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they're going to have some pretty annoying virtues.
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