Vivian Mary Olivier, known professionally as Vivien Leigh ( LEE) and styled as Lady Olivier after 1947, was a British actress. After completing her drama school education, Leigh appeared in small roles in four films in 1935 and progressed to the role of heroine in Fire Over England (1937). She then won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice, for her performances as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939) and Blanche DuBois in the film version of A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), a role she had also played on stage in London's West End in 1949. For the latter role, she also won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. She also won a Tony Award for her work in the Broadway musical version of Tovarich (1963). Despite her fame as a screen actress, Leigh was primarily a stage performer. During her 30-year career, she played roles ranging from the heroines of Noël Coward and George Bernard Shaw comedies to classic Shakespearean characters such as Ophelia, Cleopatra, Juliet and Lady Macbeth. Later in life, she performed as a character actress in a few films.
Vivien Leigh
actress
Notable For
British actress
Vivien Leigh's Historical Timeline
George Cukor announces Vivien Leigh will play Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind"
Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American epic historical romance film adapted from the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell. It was produced by David O.
"Gone with the Wind", drama film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, premieres in Atla
"Gone with the Wind", drama film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, premieres in Atlanta (Best Picture 1940, highest-grossing film of all time unadjusted for inflation)
British "Wuthering Heights" actor Laurence Olivier (33) weds British"Gone With The Wind" actress Vivien Leigh (26), at t
British "Wuthering Heights" actor Laurence Olivier (33) weds British"Gone With The Wind" actress Vivien Leigh (26), at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California; second marriage for both end in divorce in 1960
"A Streetcar Named Desire," a film directed by Elia Kazan and based on Tennessee Williams' 1947 play of the same name, s
"A Streetcar Named Desire," a film directed by Elia Kazan and based on Tennessee Williams' 1947 play of the same name, starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh, premieres at the Warner Theatre, NYC
24th Academy Awards: "An American in Paris", Humphrey Bogart and Vivien Leigh win
The 24th Academy Awards were held on March 20, 1952, honoring the films of 1951. The ceremony was hosted by Danny Kaye. An American in Paris and A Place in the Sun each received six Oscars, splitting…
Vivien Leigh dies
Vivien Leigh, British actress, known for british actress, died on 1967-07-08. Vivian Mary Olivier, known professionally as Vivien Leigh ( LEE) and styled as Lady Olivier after 1947, was a British…
Associated Historical Events
George Cukor announces Vivien Leigh will play Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind"
Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American epic historical romance film adapted from the 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell. It was produced by David O.
"Gone with the Wind", drama film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, premieres in Atla
"Gone with the Wind", drama film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, premieres in Atlanta (Best Picture 1940, highest-grossing film of all time unadjusted for inflation)
British "Wuthering Heights" actor Laurence Olivier (33) weds British"Gone With The Wind" actress Vivien Leigh (26), at t
British "Wuthering Heights" actor Laurence Olivier (33) weds British"Gone With The Wind" actress Vivien Leigh (26), at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California; second marriage for both end in divorce in 1960
"A Streetcar Named Desire," a film directed by Elia Kazan and based on Tennessee Williams' 1947 play of the same name, s
"A Streetcar Named Desire," a film directed by Elia Kazan and based on Tennessee Williams' 1947 play of the same name, starring Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh, premieres at the Warner Theatre, NYC
24th Academy Awards: "An American in Paris", Humphrey Bogart and Vivien Leigh win
The 24th Academy Awards were held on March 20, 1952, honoring the films of 1951. The ceremony was hosted by Danny Kaye. An American in Paris and A Place in the Sun each received six Oscars, splitting…
Vivien Leigh dies
Vivien Leigh, British actress, known for british actress, died on 1967-07-08. Vivian Mary Olivier, known professionally as Vivien Leigh ( LEE) and styled as Lady Olivier after 1947, was a British…
Frequently Asked Questions
- When was Vivien Leigh born?
- Vivien Leigh was born on 1913-07-08 (British).
- What is Vivien Leigh known for?
- British actress
- What historical events involved Vivien Leigh?
- Vivien Leigh was involved in 6 recorded historical events, including George Cukor announces Vivien Leigh will play Scarlett O'Hara in "Gone With The Wind", "Gone with the Wind", drama film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh, premieres in Atla, British "Wuthering Heights" actor Laurence Olivier (33) weds British"Gone With The Wind" actress Vivien Leigh (26), at t.
- When did Vivien Leigh die?
- Vivien Leigh died on 1967-01-01.