Gene Tierney facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gene Tierney
Tierney in 1940s
Born	Gene Eliza Tierney (1920-11-19)November 19, 1920 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	November 6, 1991(1991-11-06) (aged 70) Houston, Texas, U.S.
Resting place	Glenwood Cemetery
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1938–1964, 1969-1980
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Oleg Cassini ​ ​ (m. 1941; div. 1952)​ W. Howard Lee ​ ​ (m. 1960; died 1981)​
Children	2

Gene Eliza Tierney (November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was a well-known American film and stage actress. She was famous for her great beauty. Gene Tierney became a leading lady in many movies. She is best remembered for playing the main character in the film Laura (1944). She was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Leave Her to Heaven (1945).

Tierney starred in many other popular films. These include Heaven Can Wait (1943), The Razor's Edge (1946), and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947). She also appeared in Whirlpool (1949) and Night and the City (1950).

About Gene Tierney

Her Early Life

Gene Eliza Tierney was born on November 19, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York. Her parents were Howard Sherwood Tierney and Belle Lavinia Taylor. She had an older brother, Howard Jr., and a younger sister, Patricia. Her father was a successful insurance broker. Her mother used to be a physical education teacher.

Gene grew up in Westport, Connecticut. She went to schools like St. Margaret's School and the Unquowa School. She enjoyed writing poetry. She even published her first poem, "Night," in a school magazine. Gene also acted in a school play of Little Women.

She spent two years studying in Switzerland. There, she learned to speak French very well. In 1936, she came back to the U.S. On a family trip, she visited Warner Bros. studios. A director named Anatole Litvak noticed her beauty. He told the 17-year-old Gene that she should become an actress. Her parents did not want her to sign a contract then. They wanted her to focus on her social life.

In 1938, Gene made her official social debut. But she quickly found society life boring. She decided to become an actress. Her father agreed, saying she should act in "legitimate theatre." Gene studied acting in New York. She became a student of Broadway producer George Abbott.

Becoming an Actress

Gene Tierney's first role on Broadway was in What a Life! (1938). She only carried a bucket of water across the stage. A critic from Variety magazine said she was "the most beautiful water carrier I've ever seen!"

The next year, she played Molly O'Day in Mrs. O'Brien Entertains (1939). A critic from New York Times praised her. He said she was "very pretty and refreshingly modest." Later that year, she was in Ring Two (1939). A critic from the New York Herald Tribune thought she would have a great acting career. He wondered if movies would "kidnap her away."

Gene's father created a company to help her acting career. Columbia Pictures signed her to a contract in 1939. She met Howard Hughes, who became a lifelong friend.

A cameraman once told Gene to lose a little weight. She wrote to Harper's Bazaar magazine for a diet. She followed this diet for 25 years. Columbia Pictures did not find a project for her. So, she went back to Broadway. She starred in The Male Animal (1940). This play was a big success. The New York Times said she gave her "best performance yet." Gene was very popular on Broadway before she turned 20. She was featured in magazines like Life and Vogue.

The head of 20th Century Fox, Darryl F. Zanuck, saw her in The Male Animal. He wanted to sign her for movies. He later saw her dancing at a club. He didn't realize it was the same actress at first. Gene said she "always had several different 'looks'." This quality helped her in her career.

Her Film Career

Frame from a movie trailer for Laura (1944)

Gene Tierney signed with 20th Century-Fox. Her first movie role was in the Western The Return of Frank James (1940). She acted alongside Henry Fonda.

She then had several other roles. These included Hudson's Bay (1941) and Tobacco Road (1941). She also played the main character in Belle Starr (1941). In 1942, she appeared in Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake. She also starred in the comedy Rings on Her Fingers.

Her career took a big step forward with Heaven Can Wait (1943). She received top billing in this comedy.

Gene Tierney then starred in her most famous role. She played the main character in the film noir Laura (1944). She acted opposite Dana Andrews. After A Bell for Adano (1945), she played Ellen Berent Harland in Leave Her to Heaven (1945). This role earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. Leave Her to Heaven was 20th Century-Fox's most successful film of the 1940s. Director Martin Scorsese called Gene Tierney one of the most underrated actresses of her time.

Tierney then starred in Dragonwyck (1946). She also played Isabel Bradley in The Razor's Edge (1946). Her acting in this movie was highly praised.

Trailer for The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)

In 1947, Gene played Lucy Muir in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. She acted with Rex Harrison. The next year, she was in the comedy That Wonderful Urge (1948). As the 1940s ended, she worked with the director of Laura again. She starred in the film noir Whirlpool (1950). She also appeared in Night and the City and Where the Sidewalk Ends (both 1950).

She showed her funny side in The Mating Season (1951). She also gave a touching performance in Close to My Heart (1951). This movie was about a couple trying to adopt a child.

After Way of a Gaucho (1952), her contract with 20th Century-Fox ended. She then starred in Plymouth Adventure (1952) with Spencer Tracy. She also played Marya Lamarkina in Never Let Me Go (1953).

In the 1940s, Gene Tierney became very famous. She was known as a beautiful leading lady. Many people called her "the most beautiful woman in movie history." Many of her movies from the 1940s are now considered classic films.

While in Europe, she made Personal Affair (1953). She also started a relationship with Prince Aly Khan. But his father did not approve of their marriage plans. In 1953, Gene returned to the U.S. She co-starred in the film noir Black Widow (1954).

Health Challenges

Pin-up photo in a World War II magazine

Gene Tierney reportedly started smoking to make her voice deeper. She felt her voice sounded "like an angry Minnie Mouse." She later became a heavy smoker.

Gene faced mental health challenges for many years. In 1943, she gave birth to her daughter, Daria. Daria was born deaf and had other disabilities. This was likely because Gene got sick with rubella (German measles) while pregnant. In 1953, Gene had trouble concentrating. This affected her movie roles. She had to leave the movie Mogambo. Grace Kelly took her place. While filming The Left Hand of God (1955), Gene became very ill. Her co-star, Humphrey Bogart, was very kind to her. He encouraged her to get help.

Gene sought medical help. She was admitted to a hospital in New York. Later, she went to a facility in Connecticut. She received many treatments. She later spoke out against some of these treatments. She felt they had caused her to lose parts of her memory.

She tried working as a sales girl in a dress shop. She hoped to return to a normal life. But a customer recognized her. This led to news stories about her.

In 1958, 20th Century Fox offered her a role in Holiday for Lovers (1959). But the stress was too much. She left the film and returned for more care.

Comeback and Later Years

Gene Tierney made a comeback in the movie Advise and Consent (1962). She worked with director Otto Preminger again. Soon after, she played Albertine Prine in Toys in the Attic (1963). She also starred in Las cuatro noches de la luna llena (1963). Her performances received good reviews.

Her career as a strong character actress seemed to be back on track. She played Jane Barton in The Pleasure Seekers (1964). But then she decided to retire. She returned to act in the TV movie Daughter of the Mind (1969). Her last performance was in the TV miniseries Scruples (1980).

Personal Life

Gene Tierney was married twice. Her first husband was Oleg Cassini, a fashion designer. They got married on June 1, 1941. She was 20 years old. Her parents did not approve of the marriage.

She had two daughters with Oleg Cassini: Antoinette Daria Cassini (born 1943) and Christina "Tina" Cassini (born 1948).

In June 1943, while pregnant with Daria, Gene got rubella. This was likely from a fan who was sick. Daria was born early and had serious health issues. She was deaf, partly blind, and had other disabilities. She needed special care for most of her life. This sad event inspired a plot in the 1962 novel The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie. Gene's friend Howard Hughes helped pay for Daria's medical expenses. Daria Cassini passed away in 2010 at age 66.

Gene and Oleg Cassini separated in 1946. They later divorced in 1952.

During their separation, Gene met John F. Kennedy. He was a young World War II veteran. They started a relationship. But she ended it because Kennedy told her he could not marry her. This was due to his political goals. In 1960, Gene sent Kennedy a note to congratulate him on becoming president.

While filming in Europe, she became engaged to Prince Aly Khan. But his father, Aga Khan III, strongly opposed their marriage.

Oleg Cassini later left money in trust for their daughters. Gene and Oleg remained friends until her death.

In 1958, Gene met W. Howard Lee. He was a Texas oil businessman. Lee and Gene married in Aspen, Colorado, on July 11, 1960. They lived quietly in Houston, Texas, and Delray Beach, Florida. Howard Lee passed away in 1981.

Gene was a lifelong member of the Republican Party. She supported Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan in their elections.

Later Years and Legacy

Gene Tierney wrote her autobiography, Self-Portrait, in 1979. In the book, she openly talked about her life, career, and mental health challenges.

In 1986, Gene Tierney received a special award. She was honored with the first Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award. This was at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain.

Gene Tierney has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located at 6125 Hollywood Boulevard.

Her Death

Gene Tierney passed away from emphysema on November 6, 1991. She was 70 years old, just 13 days before her 71st birthday. She is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Houston.

Some of Gene Tierney's film materials and personal papers are kept at Wesleyan University.

Broadway Roles

Filmography

Television Roles

Radio Appearances

See also

In Spanish: Gene Tierney para niños