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Joan Fontaine

Birth Name:
Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland
Birth Place:
Tokyo, Japan
Profession
Actress, Soundtrack, Producer
Joan Fontaine

Fast Facts

  • At the 1982 Berlin International Film Festival, she served as head of the jury
  • Served as Vice-President Emeritus of the Episcopal Actors' Guild of America
  • Died peacefully in her sleep at age 96 after battling a long illness
  • When starting out as an actress, she was forced to invent a new surname because her mother refused to let her use the family name since her sister, Olivia, was already using the name as an actress
  • Quote: "(On her multiple marriages) "If you keep marrying as I do, you learn everybody's hobby․""
  • Quote: "(On her rivalry with her sister Olivia de Havilland) "I married first, won the Oscar before Olivia did, and if I die first, she'll undoubtedly be livid because I beat her to it!""
  • Frequently takes on the role of characters who experience emotional hardships
  • A woman of many talents, she is a licensed pilot, prize-winning tuna fisherman, Cordon Bleu trained chef and licensed interior decorator
  • Corresponded with her fans frequently until her 90th birthday
  • In 1943, she became a naturalized citizen of the United States
  • Is the only person to win an acting Oscar for a performance in a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock

Awards

  • 1940NBR Award - Best Acting:Winner
  • 1940NYFCC Award - Best Actress:Nominated
  • 1940Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (May):Winner
  • 1941Oscar - Best Actress in a Leading Role:Nominated
  • 1941NBR Award - Best Acting:Winner
  • 1941NYFCC Award - Best Actress:Winner
  • 1941Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (December):Winner
  • 1942Oscar - Best Actress in a Leading Role:Winner
  • 1942Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (August):Winner
  • 1943Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (September):Winner
  • 1943Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (December):Winner
  • 1944Oscar - Best Actress in a Leading Role:Nominated
  • 1945Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (June):Winner
  • 1946Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (September):Winner
  • 1947Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (September):Winner
  • 1948Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (July):Winner
  • 1949Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (February):Winner
  • 1980Daytime Emmy - Outstanding Guest/Cameo Appearance in a Daytime Drama Series:Nominated
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