The Audrey Hepburn Story: A Life of Elegance and Humanitarian Work
Introduction: The Iconic Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn, a British actress, humanitarian, and fashion icon, captivated audiences worldwide during the 1950s and 1960s. Her timeless elegance and unforgettable performances continue to inspire generations. In this article, we’ll explore Hepburn’s life, career, and the circumstances surrounding her untimely death.
Hepburn’s Iconic Roles and Achievements
Hepburn is remembered for her iconic roles in films. These include the romantic comedy Roman Holiday (1953), for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. Additionally, she starred in the romantic comedy Sabrina (1954), the romantic comedy-drama Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), and the musical My Fair Lady (1964).
Furthermore, Hepburn showcased her versatility in a variety of other films, such as Funny Face (1957), The Nun’s Story (1959), Charade (1963), and Wait Until Dark (1967).
Humanitarian Work and Fashion Influence
Hepburn’s humanitarian work, particularly her tireless efforts for UNICEF, earned her numerous awards. These accolades include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Legion of Honor, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. In addition to her acting career, Hepburn became an iconic fashion figure, known for her elegant and timeless style, which fashion designers and women around the world have emulated.
Hepburn’s fashion choices reflected her classic, effortless beauty and grace. She often wore black capri pants, ballet flats, sunglasses, and classic dresses, creating a signature look that has become iconic. By pairing modern and timeless pieces, Hepburn created outfits that were uniquely her own, setting trends that are still celebrated today.
Hepburn’s Enduring Legacy
Despite her passing in 1993, Hepburn’s influence and popularity have not waned. Her style and fashion choices remain popular today, with Audrey Hepburn sunglasses and Audrey Hepburn style dresses continuing to be top searches more than 25 years after her death.
The Tragic End of an Icon
Sadly, at just 63 years old, the late Golden Age actress Audrey Hepburn was diagnosed with appendiceal cancer. This rare form of cancer affects the appendix and ultimately led to her premature death. Despite keeping her condition private to maintain her privacy, Hepburn’s battle with cancer proved too challenging to overcome.
Hepburn passed away in 1993, leaving behind a legacy of beauty, grace, and elegance that will live on forever. Every year, the anniversary of her death brings a wave of nostalgia that floods the internet with questions about her work and life.
An Audrey Hepburn picture with Gregory Peck Photo by Paramount Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Audrey Hepburn
How old was Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday?
Roman Holiday, a 1953 romantic comedy directed and produced by William Wyler, starred Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. The film tells the story of a restless princess (Hepburn) who escapes the boredom of palace life for a night of adventure and romance in Rome. During her escapade, she meets a reporter (Peck) determined to get an exclusive story about her.
At the time of filming, Hepburn was 24 years old, while Peck was 37, though their characters were both in their 20s. The film was a critical and commercial success, earning Hepburn an Academy Award for Best Actress and garnering four other Oscar nominations. Today, Roman Holiday remains a classic, widely celebrated by film enthusiasts.
Did Audrey Hepburn sing in My Fair Lady?
My Fair Lady, a 1964 musical film based on the 1956 Broadway play, stars Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle and Rex Harrison as Professor Henry Higgins. The story follows Higgins, a phonetics professor, as he attempts to transform Eliza, a Cockney flower girl, into a lady through proper elocution and speech.
While Hepburn’s acting in the film was praised, her singing voice was largely dubbed by Marni Nixon. However, Hepburn’s actual singing voice can be heard in the first verse of “Just You Wait, Henry Higgins.” The film’s musical score and songs, written by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, were adapted from the Broadway production.
My Fair Lady was both a critical and commercial success, receiving eight Academy Award nominations and winning four, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Rex Harrison.
What are Audrey Hepburn’s ten most well-rated movies?
1. Charade – 1963 film
2. Funny Face – 1957 film
3. Robin and Marian – 1976 film
4. Roman Holiday – 1953 film
5. Two for the Road – 1967 film
6. Wait Until Dark – 1967 film
7. The Nun’s Story – 1959 film
8. How to Steal a Million – 1966 film
9. Paris When It Sizzles – 1964 film
10. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – 1961 film
Watch the video below for clips from some of Hepburn’s most notable roles.
References
[i] Kristen Winiarski, How Did Audrey Hepburn Die? Inside The Hollywood Icon’s Heartbreaking Final Weeks (Aug. 25, 2022)
[ii] Walter Scott, Take a Roman Holiday! 12 Facts You Didn’t Know About the Classic 1953 Movie Starring Audrey Hepburn (Sep. 15, 2020)
[iii] IMDB, My Fair Lady Trivia (2023)
[iv] Netflix, Audrey (2020)
[v] Anne Billson, Audrey Hepburn’s 20 greatest films – ranked! (Feb. 17, 2022)
No related posts found.
