We’ve seen the photos this month – a frail Dame Elizabeth Taylor in a wheelchair, ghastly thin, breathing with the aid of an oxygen tube. It’s a reminder that Dame Elizabeth might not be with us much longer (although if Zsa Zsa is still holding on, Elizabeth could go another 5 years!). Still, it’s a good time to brush up on our Elizabeth Taylor Facts & Figures.

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born in Hampstead, a district of West London, in 1932. Her parents were American but she was granted dual citizenship because she was born in England. That’s why she got to become a dame.

The Taylors moved to Los Angeles after things started looking rough in Europe prior to the outbreak of World War II.

Elizabeth was born with double rows of eyelashes. It’s a genetic mutation but it sure made her look glamorous on camera!

She appeared in her first film at the age of nine. The film was There’s One Born Every Minute.

Her career took off in 1942, with the film Lassie Come Home. Because of this she was signed to a seven year contract with MGM. Her next big hit was National Velvet, the movie about horses, at the age of 12. She made another Lassie movie, Courage of Lassie, in which a different dog named Bill, an Allied combatant in World War II, regularly outsmarts the Nazis. I think this is an excellent plot for a film.

Animals seemed to have played  a large role in her early acting success.

Her nickname “One Shot Liz” was not reference to something sexual. It meant she was known for being able to get a scene right on one take.

Her first adult role that met with big success was in Father of the Bride.

In 1960, she became the highest paid actress in history when she signed a $1 million contract to play Cleopatra. This was the film set where she met Richard Burton, the man she would marry and divorce twice. He played Mark Antony.

Continue reading Elizabeth Taylor: Reflections In A Violet Eye →