explore

There are millions of stars in Hollywood, but a few stand out. They fascinate us with their lives, entertain us with their movies, and enrich their profession with their talent. Here are a few that fascinate me. go home

CLICK THE NAME TO EXPLORE

Life Movies Facts

Born: 12 May 1907 Birthplace: Hartford, Connecticut Died: 29 June 2003 (natural causes) Katharine began acting on Broadway in She went on to star in films beginning in Her career continued until she retired in She was encouraged by her parents to be an independent thinker. Her parents pushed her to exercise her mind and body regularly and she continued to learn and exercise throughout her life. Katharine married once in 1932 and immediately separated from her husband, though she did not divorce him until She had several loves, the most prominent two being millionaire Howard Hughes and the very married actor Spencer Tracy. Katharine’s menuMain Menu

Morning Glory 1933 Bringing up Baby 1938 The Philadelphia Story 1940 The African Queen 1951 Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? 1967 On Golden Pond 1981 Katharine’s menuMain Menu

Was considered an outspoken, rebellious woman Was so devastated by her brothers death when she was 14 years old, she used he birthday for several years to stay connected. The studios took away all her slacks in the early 1930 because they were considered unfeminine. She rebelled by walking around in her underwear between shoots, until the slacks were returned!!! Held the lead in being nominated for an Oscar (12) until Meryl Streep beat her with 13 in Katharine’s menuMain Menu

Life Movies Facts

Born: May 20, 1908 Birthplace: Indiana, Pennsylvania Died: July 2, 1997 James “Jimmy” Stewart was born to the owner of a hardware store. His parents fully expected him to take over the store as it had been in t he family for three generations. He had dreams of being an Naval aviator, but his father insisted he attend Princeton University instead of Going to the Naval Academy. Interestingly it was through Princeton and his involvement in the glee club and the University Players stock company, that he was bitten by the acting bug. In the end, this would take him away from the hardware business all together. His shy, sweet demeanor landed him several beautiful starlets, but he married former model Gloria McLean in 1949 at the age of 41. Jimmy’s menuMain Menu

Harvey 1950 Rear Window 1954 The Philadelphia Story 1940 It’s A Wonderful Life 1946 Vertigo 1958 The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 1962 Jimmy’s menuMain Menu

One of the first movie stars to enter the service for World War II. He attained the rank of Colonel. This was the highest active military rank of any actor in history. Never took an acting lesson because he felt you could learn more by working than studying. One of the first stars to receive an percentage of the gross of a movie he starred in. Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian award. Jimmy’s menuMain Menu

Life Movies Facts

Born: February 20, 1927 Birthplace: Miami, Florida Died: Not yet Sidney Poitier was born in Florida while his parents were visiting. He was a native of the Bahamas. He had very little formal education and was actually sent to live with his brother in Miami when he was 15. The change was profound for him as he came from an area with a black majority and had never experienced racism. By the age of 18 he had moved to New York. He impulsively auditioned at the American Negro Theater, where he was rejected with such force that he spent months studying overcome his heavy accent and awkwardness. He tried out again a year later and was accepted. He was spotted at a rehearsal by a Broadway agent and began professionally acting. Sidney’s menuMain Menu

No Way Out 1950 The Defiant Ones 1958 Lilies of the Field 1963 Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner? 1967 To Sir, with Love 1967 In the Heat of the Night 1967 Sidney’s menuMain Menu

First black actor to win and Academy Award, in 1963 for Lilies of the Field. Starred in the first interracial romance on film in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, where he is brought home by his white fiancé to meet the parents. As a native of the Bahamas, he was a member of the British Commonwealth. In 1974 he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Ranked the #22 greatest actor by the American Film Institute. Main MenuSidney’s menu