Early Life and Career
Audrey Hepburn was born on May 4, 1929, in Brussels, Belgium. Her parents were Dutch Baroness Ella van Heemstra and Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, an English banker. Hepburn grew up in Belgium, England, and the Netherlands, where she trained in ballet and began her career as a model. In 1948, she made her film debut in the British film One Wild Oat. Her breakthrough role came in 1951 when she starred in the Broadway play Gigi, which earned her a Tony Award.
Breakfast at Tiffany's
One of Audrey Hepburn's most famous roles was as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's. However, it may come as a surprise to some that Hepburn was not the first choice for the role. In fact, author Truman Capote, who wrote the novella on which the film was based, wanted Marilyn Monroe for the part. Hepburn was hesitant to take on the role, as she did not feel confident in her ability to play an American character. However, director Blake Edwards convinced her to take the role, and the rest is history.
Sabrina
Another one of Hepburn's beloved films is Sabrina, in which she played the titular character. However, Hepburn was initially hesitant to take on the role. She had just given birth to her first child, and she did not want to leave her infant son for an extended period. Additionally, she did not want to take on a role that would require her to be away from her family for too long. However, director Billy Wilder convinced her to take the role, and she ultimately agreed.
My Fair Lady
One of Hepburn's most challenging roles was as Eliza Doolittle in the film adaptation of the musical My Fair Lady. Hepburn was not a trained singer, and she struggled with the musical numbers in the film. Additionally, she was not the first choice for the role, as the studio initially wanted Julie Andrews, who had played the role on Broadway. However, Hepburn was determined to take on the role, and she worked tirelessly to perfect her singing and acting.
While Audrey Hepburn was a talented and dedicated actress, there were times when she was hesitant to take on certain roles. However, she ultimately agreed to take on these roles, and her performances in films such as Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, and My Fair Lady have become legendary. Hepburn's legacy lives on through her films and her philanthropic work, and she remains an inspiration to many.
