Edda Van Heemstra Hepburn-Ruston, more commonly known by the pseudonym Audrey Hepburn, was a remarkable 20th century actress who has entranced a seemingly timeless audience. Hepburn was not just known for her success in movies, but also for her overall poise, fashion influence and humanitarian work. Unlike the typical Hollywood stereotype, Hepburn redefined standards and allowed for her elegance to show through and inspire women. To fully grasp Audrey Hepburn’s monumental impact on the 20th century and beyond, understanding her background, major works, and life beyond acting is integral.
Audrey Hepburn was born on May 4, 1929 in Brussels, Belgium (“Audrey Hepburn” 1). She was born to a British man Joseph Victory Anthony Hepburn-Ruston and a Dutch baroness named Ella van Heemstra, although her father left when she was around six years old (Flonder 46). Her father’s departure during wartimes caused her mother to send Hepburn to live with relatives for the time being, eventually with her mother following, in the Germanic state of Holland where she experienced arduous times because of Nazi occupation (“Audrey Hepburn” 1). Hepburn witnessed horrifying things at a very young age and faced malnourishment, which led to anemia (Flonder 46). All the food she could muster at times was dug up tulip bulbs; she even went as far as to try to make bread from grass out of desperation (Keogh 238). Notably, she also delivered messages that she hid in her ballet shoes to members of the Resistance, which was a highly dangerous task especially for such a little girl (“Audrey Hepburn” 1). When World War II finally ended, Hepburn’s mother moved with her to England (“Audrey Hepburn” 1). Hepburn had taken and enjoyed a couple ballet classes before the w...
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...e famous works she starred in, and the humanitarian work she did after retirement, it only solidifies Audrey Hepburn’s everlasting importance and impact.
Works Cited
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Saari, Peggy, ed. Prominent Women of the 20th Century. Volume 4. New York: International Thompson Publishing Company, 1996.
Firstly, she began her career in her hometown of Chicago, Illinois. Her talent did not take long to get noticed, and it helped Dunham to make a name for herself. In 1933, when she was only 34 years of age, she was a star performer in Ruth Page’s La Guiablesse. At the same time, she a student at the University of Chicago (“Katherine Dunham”). By 1938, she had undertaken field studies
As the stock market booms and society prospers, women’s fashion undergoes drastic change during the 1920’s. The hems of skirts and dresses rise to newer, more promiscuous level. The traditional long hair, supposedly the crowning glory of a women, is cut shoulder-length or shorter. Defined waistlines are lost, giving way to a shapeless and loose fitting style of clothing. Manufacturing of cosmetics emerges during this decade, and a variety of products become popular among women. The famous Gabrielle Chanel, more commonly known as “Coco Chanel,” introduces her renowned perform in the late 1920s (Yarwood 139). Peggy Whitley, dean at Lone Star College, sums up the newfound cosmetic craze in her American Cultural article: “Powder, lipstick, rouge, eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, colored nails. They had it all!” Associated with the distinct new styles of the era, the iconic “flapper girl” is born. This term is often used for women who donned the edgy style of the time, particularly with a defiant and independent outlook on life. Outside the exciting and rebellious life of the flapper girl, everyday clothing also experiences significant change. Relaxed sport’s attire bec...
Kehoe, John. “Doris Day.” Biography 2.11 (1998): 120. Middle Search Plus. Web. 24 Jan. 2014
Born Audrey Kathleen Ruston on May 4, 1929 to parents Joseph Hepburn-Ruston and Ella van Heemstra, Audrey lived with her two half-brothers, in Brussels, Belgium. She and her brothers lived a luscious life as young children, seeing that her mother was a Dutch Baroness who was descended from French and English kings and her father a well-known business man and banker. Audrey’s father later appended Hepburn to his surname, thus Audrey becoming Hepburn-Ruston (Biography of Audrey Hepburn.) In 1935 Joseph and Ella divorced, and Audrey recalled it to be one of the most traumatic events of her life. In the early years after the divorce, Audrey and her mother lived in England, but with the outbreak of World War II, her mother moved them to the Netherlands; this area was neutral and her mother’s home country. Much to her mother’s dismay, on May 10, 1940, Nazi Germans invaded the Netherlands and Audrey’s family, consisting of Audrey’s mother and her two half-brothers were forced to endure hardships of war (Audrey Hepburn 1929-1993.) Audrey suffered severely during the war, and became increasingly malnourished (Facts about Audrey Hepburn.)
Through out her life, Eleanor Roosevelt had served the world. She helped so many people by doing simple work with Human Rights. She put her heart and soul into her work and gave the world, especially the United States, a new respect for both women and African Americans. From her years as a United Nations delegate, she gave over one hundred lectures a year, wrote daily newspaper columns, contributed to magazines and wrote three autobiographies. She hosted a weekly television interview show and broadcast a daily radio commentary. She was the most influential First Ladies to date, and continued her well doing for years until her death.
Marilyn Monroe, Norma Jeane Mortenson. A devious soul but a pure heart, a black past, but a bright future; she became one of the most idolized figures in society. Norma was definitely not born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and she never sugar coated her life to the media. She was straight forward which made her heavily known for her quotes such as “I learned to walk as a baby and I haven’t had a lesson since.” (Marilyn Monroe). This was the beginning to her life story as a hero. This may not seem inspiring or heroic to many by the lack of knowledge a person may have on Norma. In the depths of her quotes lay a deep, heartfelt life though. For this quote may seem sensational and comical to the ear, but Marilyn was transferred to many foster homes not really having a parent that would show her the way. What a good role model would do though, and what Norma courageously has shown society, is that when life knocks you down, get up and hit life back twice as hard. Norma Jeane Mortenson, married Jim Dougherty, and started working. Soon she created the character Marilyn Monroe, she dyed her hair blonde, wore short dresses, and she became the momentous and inspirational character that everyone saw through television, newspapers, and photos. She was one of the greatest actors, singers, and models of the nineteen forties and fifties. But like every hero they suffer and create their own demise. Jeane, Marilyn Monroe, is a shakespearean tragic hero, because like every hero she must fall.
In the early twentieth century, Judy Garland made quite an impact as this multi-talented star became known around America. Her fame started at an early age. Born Frances Gumm in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, she joined the family act at the age of three. (Judy Garland UXL Biographies). She became known for her stunning voice and performing in her sister act “The Three Garlands” After her fathers death at age 14, the sister act dissolve ,and she started on her solo career. (Judy Garland UXL Biographies). Her mother became a very dominant factor in her career but also a destructive one. With the help of her mother and her talents ,by her teenage years, she became very popular and even signed a contract with MGM Studio...
Judy Garland is a lasting legend. Her name is familiar to almost everyone in America, even though she died 45 years ago. Judy is remembered for her strong and clear voice, skills as an actor and performer, and, of course, her role as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz.
The famous French designer Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, more commonly known as Coco Chanel, was born in Saumur France on August 19, 1883 (“Coco Chanel” Britannica par. 1). Chanel is known for not claiming any of her family, or anyone she had relations with before she was rich. She often made up different stories about her parents (Madsen 3). With how successful Coco was, it may be hard to believe that she was born and raised in poverty (“Coco Chanel.” Voguepedia par. 3). Chanel spent most of her childhood in an orphanage; due to the fact that her mother died and her father abandoned her (“Coco Chanel.” Britannica par. 2). In the orphanage, Chanel was raised by Catholic nuns. The nuns are the reason Chanel became as famous as she did for two reasons; they taught Chanel how to sew, and they also taught her to be confident in her work (“Coco Chanel.” Voguepedia par. 3). “Arrogance is in everything I do. It is in my gestures, the harshness of my voice, in the glow of my gaze, in my sinewy, tormented face” (“Coco Chanel.” Voguepedia par. 3). While she was still performing, Chanel got her distinctive nickname from soldier...
Winfrey, Oprah, and Bill Adler. The Uncommon Wisdom of Oprah Winfrey: A Portrait in her Own Words. New York: Carol Pub. Group, 1997. Print.
The entertainment business started booming, producing legendary films starring well-known actors and actresses; like Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, Josephine Baker, and Jimmy Stewart. Grace Kelly quickly rose to fame because she captured the hearts of many and raised the standard of a typical woman’s life. Her recherché and flawless self-confidence launched Grace Kelly into the exciting world of fame, Hollywood! Grace Kelly proved to be an outstanding female figure that snatched loving hearts of fans through her early life experiences, her time in Hollywood, and her successful royal wedding.
“A well dressed woman, even though her purse is painfully empty, can conquer the world.” This quote from actress and women’s rights inspiration and icon, Louise Brooks, accurately describes her life. The quote means being independent and relying on your own ability is what will get you ahead in life. This is how Brooks lived her seventy nine year life. She is best known for her many films in Hollywood. Between the years 1925 and 1938 she was in twenty four films. Not only was she a Hollywood actress, she was also a dancer and a Broadway performer. But, Louise Brooks is also known for other things beside her performing. Louise Brooks was the most influential person of all on
Bloomer, Dexter C. Life and Writings of Amelia Bloomer. Boston: Arena Pub. Co, 1895. Print.
When someone mentions Marilyn Monroe, one usually thinks off the seductive all-American sex goddess who captured the world with her woman-childlike charm. Yet not many know her as the illegitimate child who endured a childhood of poverty and misery, sexual abuse, and years in foster home and orphanages. Most people don’t realize that her disrupted loveless childhood may been the main reason to her early death. Norma Jeane Baker’s father, Edward Mortenson, had deserted her mother, Gladys Baker neè Monroe, before she was born on June, 1 1926, in the charity ward of Los Angeles General Hospital. Due to Gladys’ instability and the fact that she was unmarried at the time, Norma Jeane was placed in a foster home. At the age of 7, Norma Jeane lived briefly with her mother. Gladys began to show signs of mental depression, and a year later she was admitted to a rest home. Norma Jeane was then placed with a family friend for a year until being placed in another orphanage for another two years. Norma Jeane was once heard to reflect on this time and say: "The world around me then was kind of grim...I had to learn to pretend in order to...I don’t know.. block the grimness. The whole world seen sort of closed to me..(I felt) on the outside of everything, and all I could do was to dream up any kind of pretend game." (MarilynMonroe,http://www.ionet.net/~jellenc/mmbio3.html) In 1941, Norma Jeane again lived with a family friend when she met Jim Dougherty, who was 5 years older than her.