R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor: Hollywood Queen

By Joanna Robinson | Posted Under Miscellaneous | Comments (42)

After a long struggle, screen legend Elizabeth Taylor succumbed this morning to congestive heart failure. She was 79. Born in England in 1932, Taylor and her family moved to America when the actress was only seven and, at the tender age of nine, Taylor signed her first studio contract. The studio took notice of Taylor for her astonishing looks and, after a few films, cast her in what would be her breakthrough role as Velvet Brown in National Velvet In that film, the 12-year-old Taylor proved herself to be more than a pretty face and succeeded in capturing the hearts of the entire nation.

Unlike many other actresses to achieve such fame so young, Taylor transitioned rather seamlessly into adult roles with both light fare (Father of the Bride with Spencer Tracy) and melodramatic turns (A Place in the Sun opposite close friend Montgomery Clift). Though universally praised for her work in 1951’s A Place in the Sun, it wasn’t until 1956 that Taylor again got the chance to truly shine, this time opposite Rock Hudson and James Dean in the sprawling epic Giant. Taylor famously expressed her frustration with being type cast saying, “If you were considered pretty, you might as well have been a waitress trying to act - you were treated with no respect at all.”

But after the success of Giant, and at the age of 24, Taylor became a genuine screen goddess, in full possession of both her knock-out looks and magnetic screen presence. She was nominated for an Academy Award three years in a row (Raintree County, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Suddenly, Last Summer) and finally won for her roles in BUtterfield 8 and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. It’s in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf that Taylor’s talent is shown to its greatest advantage. Harnessing all of the power that made her Maggie the Cat so captivating, Taylor owns every scene she’s in. Taylor, heavier and in age make-up, proved she need not rely on her good looks to demand the audience’s attention and took a ripping bite out of this role, holding her own opposite her real-life husband, Richard Burton.

Her controversial marriage to Burton (they met on the set of Cleopatra when they were each married to other people) was one of Taylor’s many high-profile relationships, but her enduring legacy is her films, not her tabloid romances. Later in life, as her acting career waned, Taylor become a highly vocal advocate for gay rights and AIDS research. After the death of longtime friend Rock Hudson, Taylor helped start the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and her own AIDS foundation, the Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation (ETAF). Truly talented and undeniably gorgeous inside and out, Elizabeth Taylor was Hollywood royalty and will be missed.

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Comments

"I hope that's an empty bottle, George. You can't afford to waste any liquor. Not on your salary. Not on an assistant professor's salary."

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 23, 2011 10:29 AM

Thank you.

Posted by: mike10009 at March 23, 2011 10:32 AM

I think Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor (scandalous as their union was) were probably the most awesome couple in Hollywood history. They both had terrible drinking problems and various issues, but from everything I've read about them (and their magnetic chemistry onscreen), love like that just doesn't come around often.

Posted by: Mel C. at March 23, 2011 10:36 AM

Why do I picture Cleopatra's entry into Rome when I think of Liz Taylor entering the afterlife?

Posted by: The Wanderer at March 23, 2011 10:47 AM

Thank goodness that's over, because it's been awhile since I've seen my favorite cliche tabloid headline:

"(Dead Celebrity)'s brave last hours"

Because none of them EVER went out kicking and screaming and whining like a little girl.

That said, here's to you, Liz.

*raises empty coffee cup, hey, it's all I got*

Posted by: , at March 23, 2011 10:54 AM

The Wanderer:

I picture her arriving at the pearly gates and Richard Burton standing there saying "It's about bloody time".

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 23, 2011 10:55 AM

I didn't really understand why she was so appreciated until about four years ago. Then it suddenly clicked for me, too. I didn't realize she was so focused on human rights and AIDS research, as well.

Farewell, Ms. Taylor...

Posted by: lubeg at March 23, 2011 10:55 AM

Really nice tribute.

National Velvet has always been one of my favorite movies and Elizabeth Taylor's character matches up so nicely to the book--she plays a huge part in this. I really need to see more of her films.

Posted by: grace b at March 23, 2011 10:59 AM

Now THAT's what boobs are supposed to look like!

And I think it's probably Mike Todd elbowing out Richard Burton at the pearly gates. I think Mike Todd has first dibbs.

I still like the comment a zaftig housewife made back in the 1970's. "When we were young, we all wanted to look like Elizabeth Taylor. Now we all do."

Posted by: BWeaves at March 23, 2011 11:07 AM

Mike Todd might technically have first dibs, but I read that she kept Burton's last letter to her on her nightstand every day since he died... there's no competing with that.

Posted by: Mel C. at March 23, 2011 11:13 AM

I've loved her since I read a Montgomery Clift biography and it described how she crawled into the wreckage, cradled is bloody head in her hands, and pulled his knocked out teeth from his throat after a horrific car accident.

On the rare occasions when I've met someone truly beautiful, I always find it fascinating that it brings out the same reaction as having some kind of deformity in that you have to resist the impulse to stare. Richard Burton wrote in his diary that he almost laughed out loud when he met Elizabeth Taylor as she was "beautiful beyond the dreams of pornography".

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at March 23, 2011 11:20 AM

Martha: George, my husband... George, who is out somewhere there in the dark, who is good to me - whom I revile, who can keep learning the games we play as quickly as I can change them. Who can make me happy and I do not wish to be happy. Yes, I do wish to be happy. George and Martha: Sad, sad, sad. Whom I will not forgive for having come to rest; for having seen me and having said: yes, this will do.

Posted by: idleprimate at March 23, 2011 11:25 AM

Watching National Velvet together is one of the few things my mom and I can do without getting into a big argument.

I grew up loving that movie, as well as Taming of the Shrew. A lot of her films have been airing on tv lately that I'd never seen until recently. I didn't realize how fantastic she was.

Posted by: kayla at March 23, 2011 11:33 AM

She asked to be buried next to Burton.

What a loss. I had just gotten into the Burton/Taylor movies last year and I was in such awe of her. I highly recommend you all go on a youtube spree; there are tons of videos of interviews and even some bloopers. She was such a lovely, honest human being. A true legend.

Posted by: Sofia at March 23, 2011 11:34 AM

Lassie made me bawl like a baby. A true legend and an icon. Farewell.

Posted by: Mr. Stitch at March 23, 2011 11:40 AM

Beautiful, talented and total class act...they don't make them like her anymore.

RIP Liz!

Posted by: TheEmpress at March 23, 2011 11:55 AM

That's very fitting, Joanna. She was insanely gorgeous and talented, but we remember her because she exuded this amazing sense of tenacity. RIP.

Posted by: Katie at March 23, 2011 12:11 PM

Mrs. Julien, I heard the car wreck story a long time ago, the Rest of the Story bit on Paul Harvey I think, and had completely forgotten it was her until you mentioned it here. What a woman!

Posted by: Edwina the Magnificent at March 23, 2011 12:15 PM

Well, I am sad now. She had bounced back from so many illnesses I thought she would go on forever. Have read several biographies on her and she was just all kinds of awesome. I mean she and Debbie Reynolds became best friends! What does that tell you?! Going to watch "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" again today. RIP Liz.

Posted by: wildflower at March 23, 2011 12:22 PM

Thank you for this beautiful write-up of Taylor's career. I'm still getting over how the NBC News "expert" this morning said Taylor wasn't in many great films and was better known for her perfume and marriages. Really? That's how you eulogize one of the greatest Hollywood stars?

Posted by: Robert at March 23, 2011 12:23 PM

I'm so very bummed out by this. Tonight, I shall watch Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? in tribute.

Posted by: Jeni at March 23, 2011 12:31 PM

I've never understood her appeal as Maggie the Cat -- I'm one of a very few who doesn't consider it a great performance (other than the way she looked, because HOLY COW). But her performance in "Who's Afraid of Virginai Woolf" rates among the best screen performances ever, I think. For that performance alone, she'd have been remembered as one of the all-time greats.

Posted by: jimbob at March 23, 2011 12:38 PM

Oh, man, Robert - I'm so glad I missed the news if that's what they had to say. Idiots. She did become a bit of a punchline in the 80s, but she was in some great films.

She's just so watchable. Burton too. I imagine their love as kind of like long-lasting rich teenager self-indulgent reckless love with intelligence and talent thrown in.

I've always loved the dress in that header pic - such an amazing cut at the top. I actually started keeping track of various dresses she wore, in the dreams that I'd ever be able to have them made for me.

Posted by: Sara Tonin at March 23, 2011 12:52 PM

Bye, Liz. You certainly left an indelible mark.

Posted by: Slash at March 23, 2011 12:56 PM

I loved Burton in “The Medusa Touch.”

With all due respect to Elizabeth Taylor, but Cleopatra was not a blue eyed zaftig white woman.

Posted by: Pookie at March 23, 2011 1:04 PM

As sad as I am about her passing, I do think it's neat that it is bringing attention to Richard Burton again. He's trending on Twitter for goodness sake. Everyone should watch Night of the Iguana -- one of my favorites. And it's already been said, but Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is incredible in every way.

Posted by: elizabeth at March 23, 2011 1:51 PM

so long, liz, you were a great old broad. and i mean that in the most complimentary way possible.

also - and this needs to be mentioned way, way more often than it has been on this post - godDAMN but she was just a complete, utter, self-abuse-causing fucking knockout. i'm pretty sure that's an inappropriate thing to say today, though. sorry.

Posted by: matty blue at March 23, 2011 3:12 PM

Cleopatra may or may not have had blue eyes but since she was ethnically Greek-Macedonian (descended from Ptolemy), we can conclude that she was white, albeit with the ability to tan quite nicely.

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 23, 2011 3:29 PM

No, Cleopatra was a possibly-blue eyed, Greek/Macedonian lady with an sharp, striking profile and brains and charisma to spare. I wonder if she'd have been happy to have had Elizabeth Taylor play her.

Taylor had an amazing life and an amazing career, and incredible tenacity. One can only wish more Hollywood actresses would try to take after her not only in gossip or scandal but in compassion and humanitarian effort.

Posted by: leuce7 at March 23, 2011 3:30 PM

As a girl I carried my dog-eared copy of National Velvet around the way pre-pubescent unibombers carry Catcher in the Rye. In college I wanted to become an actress ONLY to play Maggie like Elizabeth did; and recently for the (surprisingly) first time, I saw Virginia Woolf and was astounded by her again.

In the end all you can hope for is that the people who bring us as much entertainment and joy had plenty of both in their own lives.

Posted by: JuiceinLA at March 23, 2011 4:49 PM

Cleopatra may or may not have had blue eyes but since she was ethnically Greek-Macedonian (descended from Ptolemy), we can conclude that she was white, albeit with the ability to tan quite nicely.

Posted by: PaddyDog at March 23, 2011 3:29 PM

Posted by: leuce7 at March 23, 2011 3:30 PM

Fuck it! I give up, the broad was white, even though her ass was born in Egypt which last I checked was in Africa. Happy now?

Posted by: Pookie at March 23, 2011 5:39 PM

"I've loved her since I read a Montgomery Clift biography and it described how she crawled into the wreckage, cradled is bloody head in her hands, and pulled his knocked out teeth from his throat after a horrific car accident."

Sigh. That gorgeous, gorgeous man.

Posted by: samantha t at March 23, 2011 6:09 PM

Pookie, lots of white people have been born in Africa. For decades, for instance, all the heads of state of Rhodesia and South Africa were white.

Posted by: Pat C. at March 23, 2011 6:32 PM

Take a look at Taylor in her prime, take a look at her film career. Now look at any modern actress. Yup disappointing isn't it.

Posted by: clancys_daddy at March 23, 2011 6:52 PM

Elizabth Taylor around 1952 - just about a perfect beauty. And a great actress as well - rare combination. I'm a little more of a fan of Marilyn Monroe, but that's because I have a bias towards good comedies more than good dramas.

Posted by: Pat C. at March 23, 2011 6:52 PM

If both of them broads were in their primes today, them broads couldn't get a man to buy them a goddamn ham sandwhich.

Posted by: Pookie at March 23, 2011 7:44 PM

godspeed mz. liz...

Posted by: kikz at March 23, 2011 8:21 PM

pookie, your taste is obviously in your ass.

Posted by: clancys_daddy at March 23, 2011 10:01 PM

"If both of them broads were in their primes today, them broads couldn't get a man to buy them a goddamn ham sandwhich."

WHAAAAT??? Are you fucking blind?? Those two ladies (particularly Taylor) make todays undernourished bone racks look like dog food. Liz Taylor may have been the most ethereally beautiful woman who ever lived.

R.I.P Liz.

Posted by: Mark M at March 23, 2011 11:37 PM

Something tells me Debbie Reynolds is still doing a softshoe this morning.

I just don't have any respect for people selfish enough to confuse the word 'passion' for 'taking what I want when I want it no matter who it hurts'. That goes double for Eddie Fisher, who had kids with Debbie at the time.

'Passion' to E.T. is 'selfish' to others.

I know she did a lot of work for charity, eventually, which I can applaud. But she also really thought a great deal of herself, and it all revolves around being a movie star, which to me is pretty meaningless and self indulgent.

I lost a grandmother who puts E.T. to shame in so many ways. I just can't look at the lives of the two of them and get on board with the E.T. hype.

Posted by: Viking at March 24, 2011 9:05 AM

She's dead now Viking, she can't hurt you any more.

Posted by: Mrs. Julien at March 24, 2011 12:19 PM

Hilarious, Mrs Julien!!! Great comment.

As for Debbie Reynolds, she and Elizabeth were really good friends. If Debbie Reynolds is cool with Liz getting Eddie out of her hair, you should be too.

Liz was a great beauty and a totally sexy, earthy woman. More importantly, she was a great talent. And even more importantly, she used her fame and fortune to fight for important causes before they were considered socially acceptable (gay rights and AIDS/HIV research).

RIP... Not many left from Hollywood's Golden Age...

Posted by: :D at March 25, 2011 10:25 PM

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R.I.P. Elizabeth Taylor: Hollywood Queen

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