Shelley Winters
Shelley Winters, born on August 18, 1920, was an American actress known for her versatile performances in film, television, and stage. She was born Shirley Schrift in St. Louis, Missouri, to a Jewish family. Winters began her career as a chorus girl on Broadway before transitioning to film in the 1940s.
In 1943, Winters made her film debut in "What a Woman!" and quickly gained attention for her talent and on-screen presence. She became known for her portrayals of strong and often troubled women. Winters' performances were marked by her ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from vulnerability to resilience.
Throughout her career, Winters appeared in over 100 films, working with renowned directors such as George Cukor, Stanley Kubrick, and Elia Kazan. Some of her notable films include "A Place in the Sun" (1951), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, "The Night of the Hunter" (1955), "Lolita" (1962), and "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972).
Winters received a total of four Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Actress for her role in "A Patch of Blue" (1965). She also won two Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award for her work in television.
In addition to her film and television career, Winters was active in the theater. She appeared on Broadway in productions such as "A Hatful of Rain" and "The Night of the Iguana," earning critical acclaim for her performances.
Outside of her acting career, Winters was known for her outspokenness and activism. She was involved in various social and political causes, including the civil rights movement and the fight against McCarthyism. Winters was also a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party.
Shelley Winters passed away on January 14, 2006, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 85. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances and is remembered as one of the most talented actresses of her time.
In 1943, Winters made her film debut in "What a Woman!" and quickly gained attention for her talent and on-screen presence. She became known for her portrayals of strong and often troubled women. Winters' performances were marked by her ability to convey a wide range of emotions, from vulnerability to resilience.
Throughout her career, Winters appeared in over 100 films, working with renowned directors such as George Cukor, Stanley Kubrick, and Elia Kazan. Some of her notable films include "A Place in the Sun" (1951), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, "The Night of the Hunter" (1955), "Lolita" (1962), and "The Poseidon Adventure" (1972).
Winters received a total of four Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Actress for her role in "A Patch of Blue" (1965). She also won two Golden Globe Awards and an Emmy Award for her work in television.
In addition to her film and television career, Winters was active in the theater. She appeared on Broadway in productions such as "A Hatful of Rain" and "The Night of the Iguana," earning critical acclaim for her performances.
Outside of her acting career, Winters was known for her outspokenness and activism. She was involved in various social and political causes, including the civil rights movement and the fight against McCarthyism. Winters was also a staunch supporter of the Democratic Party.
Shelley Winters passed away on January 14, 2006, in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 85. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances and is remembered as one of the most talented actresses of her time.
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Trivia:
She donated her Oscar for The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) to the Anne Frank museum.
On the September 26, 1975 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962), she grew tired of Oliver Reed's attitude towards women. They had a heated conversation and, after Winters told Reed what she thought of his opinions, she left the set. The show continued with Reed going on about women while Johnny Carson looked at him in a daze. Shortly afterward, Winters appeared from stage left, unannounced to Reed and to the shock of Carson. She was carrying a beverage glass and surprised Reed by dumping it over his head. Reed went on to finish his statement as if nothing had happened and later claimed the beverage was whiskey.
Was roommates with Marilyn Monroe when they were both starting out in Hollywood.
Taught Marilyn Monroe how to "act" pretty by tilting her head back, keeping her eyes lowered and her mouth partly opened.
Turned down the role of prostitute Alma Burke in From Here to Eternity (1953) as she had just given birth to her daughter, Vittoria Gassman. Donna Reed, who would win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance, was cast instead
In her most important films such as A Place in the Sun (1951), The Night of the Hunter (1955), Lolita (1962), A Double Life (1947), The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) and many others, her character dies, is killed off, or is murdered.
On the September 26, 1975 episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962), she grew tired of Oliver Reed's attitude towards women. They had a heated conversation and, after Winters told Reed what she thought of his opinions, she left the set. The show continued with Reed going on about women while Johnny Carson looked at him in a daze. Shortly afterward, Winters appeared from stage left, unannounced to Reed and to the shock of Carson. She was carrying a beverage glass and surprised Reed by dumping it over his head. Reed went on to finish his statement as if nothing had happened and later claimed the beverage was whiskey.
Was roommates with Marilyn Monroe when they were both starting out in Hollywood.
Taught Marilyn Monroe how to "act" pretty by tilting her head back, keeping her eyes lowered and her mouth partly opened.
Turned down the role of prostitute Alma Burke in From Here to Eternity (1953) as she had just given birth to her daughter, Vittoria Gassman. Donna Reed, who would win the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance, was cast instead
In her most important films such as A Place in the Sun (1951), The Night of the Hunter (1955), Lolita (1962), A Double Life (1947), The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) and many others, her character dies, is killed off, or is murdered.
