Golden Age, Gone With The Wind: Olivia de Havilland passes away at 104
Two times Oscar winning actress Olivia de Havilland peacefully closed her eyes forever on Sunday 26th July...
Los Angeles, US:
Golden age Hollywood and two time Oscar winning actress Olivia de Havilland passed away on Sunday at the age of 104. She was one of the last stars of Hollywood’s golden age. Her publicist Lisa Goldberg confirmed her death stating she “died peacefully from natural causes” at her home in Paris, France, where she was living for many years.
“She was a queen of Hollywood, and will go down in cinematic history as such,” Thierry Fremaux, director of the Cannes Film Festival, told AFP.
“There aren’t many who deserve to be called a ‘legend,'” tweeted Hollywood columnist Scott Feinberg, “but Olivia de Havilland… certainly was one.”
Her career lasted for more than 50 years with almost 50 feature films, including the all-time classic Gone with the Wind (1939) which earned her one of her five Oscar nominations. A two time Oscar best actress winner Olivia was first awarded with the Best Actress Oscar in 1946 for her role in To Each His Own, and then a second for The Heiress in 1949.She also won a Golden Globe in 1986 for Anastasia: The Mystery of Anna.
She also had a turbulent relationship with her sister, fellow Oscar-winning actress Joan Fontaine. Olivia earned much recognition and enduring appreciation from her fellow colleagues when she took on the studios at a time when they had complete control over their stars. Backed by the Screen Actors Guild, she took Warner Brothers to court in 1943 when it added time to her original contract as a penalty for turning down roles. The California Supreme Court ruled the suit in her favour what came to known as the De Havilland Law, which loosened the grip studios had on their actors.
She also received various honors such as the National Medal of the Arts, France’s Legion d’Honneur, and the appointment to Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Tributes started pouring in on Sunday 26th July to a legendary actress and one of the bests of her time.
We offer condolences to her family and loved ones and pray for her soul to, Rest in peace…