Elizabeth Taylor Biography (1932-)

Full name, Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor; born February 27, 1932, in Hampstead, London, England; daughter of Francis (an American art dealer and historian) and Sara (an American actress; maiden name, Sothern) Taylor; married Conrad Nicholas Hilton Jr., May 6, 1950 (divorced, 1951); married Michael Wilding (an actor), 1952 (divorced, 1957); married Michael Todd (a producer), February 2,1957 (died March 22, 1958); married Eddie Fisher (a singer and actor), May 12, 1959 (divorced March 6, 1964); married Richard Burton (an actor), March 15,1964 (divorced June 26, 1974); remarried Richard Burton, October 10, 1975 (divorced August 1, 1976); married William John Warner (a politician), 1976 (divorced, 1982); married Lawrence Lee "Larry" Fortensky (a construction worker), October 6, 1991 (divorced November, 1996); children: (second marriage) Michael, Jr., Christopher (a photographer and film editor); (third marriage) Elizabeth Frances (also known as Liza Todd Tivey); (with Burton) Maria Burton Carson. Addresses: Agent: Lantz Office, 200 West 57th St., Suite 503, NewYork, NY 10019.; Publicist: Warren Cowan, Warren Cowan and Associates PublicRelations, 8899 Beverly Blvd., Suite 919, Los Angeles, CA 90048.

Nationality
British
Gender
Female
Occupation
Actress, producer, writer
Birth Details
February 27, 1932
London, United Kingdom

Famous Works

  • CREDITS
  • Film Appearances
  • (Film debut) Gloria Twine, There's One Born Every Minute, Universal, 1942
  • Priscilla, Lassie, Come Home, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1943
  • (Uncredited) Helen Burns, Jane Eyre, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1944
  • Velvet Brown, National Velvet, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944
  • (Uncredited) Betsy at age ten, The White Cliffs of Dover, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944
  • Kathie Merrick, Courage of Lassie (also known as Blue Sierra), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1946
  • Cynthia Bishop, Cynthia (also known as Cynthia: The Rich, FullLife and The Rich, Full Life), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1947
  • Mary Skinner, Life with Father, Warner Bros., 1947
  • Carol Pringle, A Date with Judy, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1948
  • Susan Packett, Julia Misbehaves, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1948
  • Melinda Greyton, Conspirator, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1949
  • Amy March, Little Women, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1949
  • Mary Belney, The Big Hangover, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1950
  • Kay Banks, Father of the Bride, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1950
  • Kay Banks Dunstan, Father's Little Dividend, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer,1951
  • Herself, Callaway Went Thataway (also known as The Star Said No), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1951
  • (Uncredited) Woman in crowd, Quo Vadis?, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1951
  • Angela Vickers, A Place in the Sun, Paramount, 1951
  • Rebecca, Ivanhoe, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1952
  • Anastasia Macaboy, Love Is Better Than Ever (also known as TheLight Fantastic), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1952
  • Jean Latimer, The Girl Who Had Everything, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1953
  • Lady Patricia, Beau Brummell, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1954
  • Ruth Wiley, Elephant Walk, Paramount, 1954
  • Helen Ellswirth, The Last Time I Saw Paris, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1954
  • Louise Durant, Rhapsody, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1954
  • Leslie Lynnton Benedict, Giant, Warner Bros., 1956
  • Screen Snapshots: Hollywood, City of Stars, 1956
  • Susanna Drake, Raintree County, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1957
  • (Uncredited) Operation Raintree, 1957
  • Maggie "the Cat" Pollitt, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1958
  • Catherine Holly, Suddenly, Last Summer, Columbia, 1959
  • Gloria Wandrous, Butterfield 8, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1960
  • (Uncredited) Sally Kennedy, Scent of Mystery (also known as Holiday in Spain), Michael Todd Jr., 1960
  • Lykke og krone, 1962
  • Title role, Cleopatra, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1963
  • Frances Andros, The V.I.P.s (also known as International Hotel), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1963
  • (Uncredited) On the Trail of the Iguana, 1964
  • Laura Reynolds, The Sandpiper, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1965
  • The Love Goddesses (also known as The Love Goddesses: A Historyof Sex in the Cinema), 1965
  • (Uncredited) The Big Sur, 1965
  • Martha, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Warner Bros., 1966
  • Martha Pineda, The Comedians (also known as Les comediens),Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1967
  • Helen of Troy, Doctor Faustus (also known as Il Dottor Faustus), Columbia, 1967
  • Leonora Penderton, Reflections in a Golden Eye, Warner Bros., 1967
  • Katharina, The Taming of the Shrew (also known as La bisbeticadomata), Columbia, 1967
  • (Uncredited) The Comedians in Africa, 1967
  • Flora "Sissy" Goforth, Boom!, Universal, 1968
  • Leonora, Secret Ceremony, Universal, 1968
  • (Uncredited) On Location: "Where Eagles Dare," 1968
  • (Uncredited) Masked courtesan, Anne of the Thousand Days (also known as Anne of a Thousand Days), Universal, 1969
  • Fran Walker, The Only Game in Town, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1970
  • Jimmie Jean Jackson, Hammersmith Is Out, Cinerama, 1972
  • Zee Blakeley, X, Y, and Zee (also known as Zee & Co.),Columbia, 1972
  • Ellen Wheeler, Night Watch, Avco-Embassy, 1973
  • Rosie Probert, Under Milkwood, Altura Films International, 1973
  • Host and narrator, That's Entertainment!, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1974
  • Barbara Sawyer, Ash Wednesday, Paramount, 1974
  • Lise, The Driver's Seat (also known as Identikit and Psychotic), Avco-Embassy, 1975
  • It's Showtime (documentary), United Artists, 1975
  • Mother, Queen of Light, Witch, and Maternal Love, The Blue Bird (also known as Sinyaya ptitsa), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1976
  • Herself (in archive footage), That's Entertainment, Part II, 1976
  • Desiree Armfeldt, A Little Night Music (also known as Das Laecheln einer Sommernacht), New World Cinema, 1977
  • (Uncredited) Lola Comante, Winter Kills, Avco-Embassy, 1979
  • Marina Rudd, The Mirror Crack'd, Associated Film Distribution, 1980
  • Narrator, Genocide (documentary), Simon Wiesenthal Center, 1981
  • Herself (in archive footage), Montgomery Clift, 1983
  • Herself, George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey (documentary), Castle Hill, 1984
  • Nadia Bulichoff, Il giovane Toscanini (also known as Toscanini and Young Toscanini), Italian International/Union Generale Cinematographique/Carthago, 1988
  • Pearl Slaghoople, The Flintstones, Universal, 1994
  • The Visit, 1999
  • Also appeared in the film Get Bruce!
  • Film Work
  • Executive producer, Number 13 (also known as Fragments of a Fate Forgotten, The Magic Mushroom People of Oz, Oz, and The Tin Woodman's Dream), 1962
  • (With Richard Burton and Franco Zeffirelli) Producer, The Taming of the Shrew (also known as La bisbetica domata), Columbia, 1967
  • Television Appearances
  • Miniseries
  • Madame Conti, North and South, ABC, 1985
  • Herself (in archive footage; uncredited), The Fifties, 1997
  • Movies
  • Jane Reynolds, Divorce His/Divorce Hers, ABC, 1973
  • Edra Vilnofsky, Victory at Entebbe, ABC, 1976
  • Deborah Shapiro, Between Friends (also known as Nobody Makes MeCry), HBO, 1983
  • Louella Parsons, Malice in Wonderland (also known as The RumorMill), CBS, 1985
  • Marguerite Sydney, There Must Be a Pony, ABC, 1986
  • Alice Moffett (title role), Poker Alice, CBS, 1987
  • Alexandra Del Lago, Tennessee Williams's "Sweet Bird of Youth" (also known as Sweet Bird of Youth), NBC, 1989
  • Beryl Mason, These Old Broads, ABC, 2001
  • Specials
  • Host, Elizabeth Taylor in London, CBS, 1963
  • The Barbara Walters Special, ABC, 1977
  • An All-Star Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor, CBS, 1977
  • Dr. Emily Loomis, "Return Engagement," The Hallmark Hall of Fame,NBC, 1978
  • Death in Canaan, 1978
  • General Electric's All-Star Anniversary, ABC, 1978
  • Happy Birthday, Bob, NBC, 1978
  • Bob Hope's Stand Up and Cheer for the National Football League's 60thYear, NBC, 1981
  • Bob Hope's Women I Love--Beautiful but Funny, NBC, 1982
  • Bob Hope's Star-Studded Spoof of the New TV Season--G-Rated--With Glamour, Glitter, and Gags, NBC, 1982
  • The 50th Presidential Inaugural Gala, ABC, 1985
  • An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr., NBC, 1986
  • Bob Hope's High-Flying Birthday, NBC, 1986
  • Liberty Weekend, ABC, 1986
  • The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn, PBS, 1986
  • The Barbara Walters Special, ABC, 1987
  • "Natalie Wood," Crazy about the Movies, Cinemax, 1987
  • AIDS: The Global Explosion, syndicated, 1988
  • Michael Jackson, 1988
  • "Richard Burton: In from the Cold," Great Performances, PBS, 1989
  • America's All-Star Tribute to Elizabeth Taylor (also known as The 2nd Annual America's Hope Award), ABC, 1989
  • Miss Hollywood Talent Search, syndicated, 1989
  • Entertainers '91: The Top 20 of the Year, 1991
  • Valentino Special Celebration, [Italy], 1991
  • In a New Light, ABC, 1992
  • Michael Jackson ... The Legend Continues, CBS, 1992
  • In a New Light '93, ABC, 1993
  • Larry King TNT Extra, TNT, 1993
  • Michael Jackson Talks ... to Oprah--90 Primetime Minutes with the Kingof Pop (also known as Live and Dangerous and Oprah Live with Michael Jackson--90 Minutes with the King of Pop), ABC, 1993
  • The 21st American Film Institute Life Achievement Award: A Salute to Elizabeth Taylor (also known as A Salute to Elizabeth Taylor), ABC,1993
  • The Jackson Family Honors, NBC, 1994
  • How to Be Absolutely Fabulous, Comedy Central, 1995
  • Happy Birthday Elizabeth--A Celebration of Life, ABC, 1997
  • Elizabeth Taylor: A Musical Celebration, 2000
  • Herself (in archive footage; uncredited), Cleopatra: The Film That Changed Hollywood, 2001
  • Herself (in archive footage), Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days, American Movie Classics, 2001
  • Episodic
  • What's My Line?, CBS, 1954
  • Person to Person, CBS, 1957
  • The Sammy Davis Jr. Show, NBC, 1966
  • "Lucy Meets the Burtons," Here's Lucy, CBS, 1970
  • The Lucy Show, CBS, 1971
  • Helena Cassadine, General Hospital, ABC, 1981
  • Chairwoman Trannell, All My Children (also known as All My Children: The Summer of Seduction), ABC, 1983
  • Katherine Cole, "Intimate Strangers," Hotel, ABC, 1984
  • Fame, Fortune, and Romance, 1986
  • Hour Magazine, syndicated, 1986
  • Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, syndicated, 1988
  • Voice, The New Adventures of Captain Planet (also known as Captain Planet and the Planeteers), TBS, 1990
  • Voice of baby Margaret "Maggie" Simpson, "Itchy and Scratchy: The Movie,"The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 1992
  • Voice of baby Margaret "Maggie" Simpson, "Lisa's First Word," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 1992
  • The Whoopi Goldberg Show, syndicated, 1992
  • "Elizabeth Taylor," Biography, Arts and Entertainment, 1993
  • Herself, "Krusty Gets Kancelled," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 1993
  • Herself, "The Elizabeth Taylor Episode," Can't Hurry Love, CBS, 1995
  • Herself, "Trick or Retreat," Murphy Brown, CBS, 1996
  • Herself, "Where's the Pearls?," The Nanny, CBS, 1996
  • Herself, "The Family Jewels," High Society, CBS, 1996
  • Herself, Roseanne, ABC, 1996
  • Omnibus, BBC (England), 2000
  • Larry King Live, Cable News Network, 2001
  • Appeared on episodes of The David Frost Show, syndicated; Hollywood and the Stars, NBC; and 20/20, ABC.
  • Awards Presentations
  • Presenter, The 42nd Annual Academy Awards, 1970
  • The 59th Annual Academy Awards Presentation, 1987
  • Presenter, The 64th Annual Academy Awards Presentation, 1992
  • The 65th Annual Academy Awards Presentation, 1993
  • The American Music Awards, 1993
  • Other
  • Around the World of Mike Todd, 1968
  • On Top All over the World (pilot), syndicated, 1985
  • (Uncredited) Who Gets the Friends?, 1988
  • Herself (in archive footage; uncredited), And the Band Played On,1993
  • Stage Appearances
  • Regina Giddens, The Little Foxes, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles, 1981, then (Broadway debut) Martin Beck Theatre, 1981, later London, 1982
  • Amanda Prynne, Private Lives, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, New York City, 1983
  • Stage Work
  • (With Zev Bufman) Producer, Private Lives, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre,New York City, 1983
  • (With Bufman) Producer, The Corn Is Green, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre,1983
  • Radio Appearances
  • Command Performance, Armed Forces Radio Service, 1945
  • Cent's Campaign with the U.S.'s First Lady, Bess Truman, 1946
  • RECORDINGS
  • Videos
  • Michael Jackson: The Legend Continues, 1988
  • The 1950's: Music, Memories, & Milestones, 1988
  • Oscar's Greatest Moments: 1971 to 1991, 1992
  • Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (also known as A Concert for Life: A Tribute to Freddie Mercury), 1992
  • Edward R. Murrow: The Best of "Person to Person," 1993
  • Legends of Entertainment Video, 1995
  • The Garth Brooks Video Collection, Capitol Home Video, 1996
  • Judy Garland's Hollywood, Laserlight Video, 1997
  • Hollywood Hookers, Steeplechase Entertainment, 1997
  • Hollywood vs. the Paparazzi, Steeplechase Entertainment, 1998
  • The Fabulous 60's, Volume 2: 1961, MPI Home Video, 2000
  • Hollywood on Parade, Sutton Entertainment Group, 2000
  • WRITINGS
  • Books
  • (Author and illustrator) Nibbles and Me, Duell, Sloan & Pearce(New York City), 1946
  • (With Richard Burton) World Enough and Time (poetry), 1964
  • Elizabeth Taylor--Her Own Story (autobiography), 1965
  • Elizabeth Taylor Takes Off: On Weight Gain, Weight Loss, Self-Esteem,and Self-Image, Putnam Publishing Group (New York City), 1988
  • (Author and photographer) Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry, Simon & Schuster (New York City), 2002
  • Other Writings
  • Contributor to periodicals, including Calling All Girls.

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

    Books
    • Adler, Bill, Elizabeth Taylor: Triumphs and Tragedies, Ace Books (New York City), 1982
    • Allan, John B., Elizabeth Taylor: A Fascinating Story of America's Most Talented Actress and the World's Most Beautiful Woman, Monarch (Derby,CT), 1961
    • D'Arcy, Susan, The Films of Elizabeth Taylor, BCW Publishing (Bembridge, England), 1977
    • Heymann, C. David, Liz: An Intimate Biography of Elizabeth Taylor,Carol Publishing Group (New York City), 1995
    • Kelley, Kitty, Elizabeth Taylor: The Last Star, Simon & Schuster (New York City), 1981
    • Latham, Caroline, and Jeannie Sakol, All about Elizabeth Taylor: Elizabeth Taylor, Public and Private, Onyx (New York City), 1991
    • Nickens, Christopher, Elizabeth Taylor: A Biography in Photos, Doubleday (Garden City, NY), 1984
    • Robin-Tani, Marianne, The New Elizabeth, St. Martin's Press (New York City), 1988
    • Sheppard, Dick, Elizabeth: The Life and Career of Elizabeth Taylor, Doubleday, 1974
    • Spoto, Donald, A Passion for Life: The Biography of Elizabeth Taylor, HarperCollins (New York City), 1995
    • Vermilye, Jerry, and Mark Ricci, The Films of Elizabeth Taylor, Carol Publishing Group, 1989
    • Walker, Alexander, Elizabeth: The Life of Elizabeth Taylor, G. Weidenfeld (New York City), 1991
    Periodicals
    • Advocate, October 15, 1996
    • Choices for Retirement Living, June, 1995, p. 26
    • Entertainment Weekly, December 3, 1999, p. 112
    • Good Housekeeping, March, 1995, pp. 96-98
    • Newsweek, June 28, 1999, pp. 54-55
    • People Weekly, March 4, 1996, p. 70
    • TV Guide, June 4, 1994, p. 8
    • Vanity Fair, May, 1995, p. 90
    Other
    • Elizabeth Taylor: Hollywood's Child (television documentary), 1975
    • Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (television movie), NBC, 1995