Message 2384 of 4418

Susan Hayward

Mini Biography

The youngest of three children, Edythe Marrenner was born in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York. Her father and mother, who were of Irish and Swedish descent respectively, endowed her with the milky complexion and ruby mane that would become her trademark. She grew up in poverty in the shadow of her older sister Florence who was her mother's favorite. Edythe would nurse a life-long grudge over what she perceived as her mother's neglect.

As a teenager, Edythe was brought to Hollywood as one of the hundreds of girls who had won a chance to screen test for the part of Scarlet O'Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939). The test was abysmal. It would take several years of studio subsidized acting and voice lessons before her talent would emerge and she would be renamed Susan Hayward. Susan's personality is usually described as cold, icy, and aloof. She did not like socializing with crowds. She disliked homosexuals and effeminate men. Her taste in love ran strictly to the masculine, and both of her husbands were rugged Southerners. She loved sport fishing, and owned three ocean going boats for that purpose. Movie directors enjoyed Susan's professionalism and her high standards. She was considered easy to work with, but she was not chummy after the cameras stopped. Her greatest roles were in I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955) and I Want to Live! (1958). The latter won her an Academy Award for best actress. A two-pack a day smoker with a taste for drink, Susan was diagnosed with brain cancer in March of 1972. On 14 March 1975, after a three year struggle against the disease, Susan died at her Hollywood home. Susan Hayward was laid to rest in a grave adjacent that of her husband Eaton Chalkley in the peace of Carrollton, Georgia where they had spent several happy years together in life.
IMDb Mini Biography By: Thomas McWilliams
roslyn217's profile
Great actress of Hollywoods past...made made great films...& Oscar winner
Aviator's profile

over 2 years ago
Upon reading her mini biography I am not surprised by the fact that she was not one to associate herself with the other actors/actresses and just "do her own thing". She was a brilliant actress and my favorite movie was "My Foolish Heart" although "I Want To Live" was excellent portrayal of Barbara Graham's True story about how she "fell through the cracks" and the judicial system truly failed her (Graham). So glad you posted this thread!

over 2 years ago
One of my favorite old time actress'
I love the movie where she plays Jane Froman the singer with a YOUNG Robert Wagner
woowooheart's profile

over 2 years ago
She is also one of my favorites. She was one awesome actress!!!!!
MarisolNYC's profile

over 2 years ago

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