"I didn't want to be a Hollywood actress who plays a lot on Broadway. I wanted to be a Broadway actress who plays a lot in Hollywood," said Geraldine Page. The American actress devoted her entire life to creativity, thanks to which her name was included in the list of the most respected and important actresses of the 20th century.
Geraldine Page has dedicated four decades of acting, including a long creative collaboration with American playwright Tennessee Williams. Throughout her career, she has achieved success both on Broadway and in Hollywood.
Childhood and education of the actress
Geraldine Sue Page was born on November 22, 1924 in Kirksville, Missouri, USA. The girl's father was Dr. Leon Alvin Page, an osteopathic physician, and her mother was Pearl Maze Page, a housewife. In the family, his brother Geraldine, whose name was Donald, also grew up.
When the girl was 5 years old, the family decided to move to Chicago. Growing up, Geraldine's interests and hobbies more and more converged in the creative field. She tried to write her own compositions and paint pictures, but soon the results of her work began to disappoint her. Then the girl decided to connect her life with music and become a pianist, but the family could not pay for Geraldine's classes, and she had to give up her dream.
At the age of 11, the girl was assigned to a drama circle at the church. Geraldine fell in love with acting. She began to read different plays and learn more about the biographies of the actors. Paige was fascinated by the actresses Lucille La Verne, Maud Adams and Eva Le Gallienne.
In 1942, Geraldine Page graduated from high school and entered the Goodman Theater School, where she studied for three years. There she played in all possible productions, and also earned money working in a children's theater group.
At that time, Geraldine, along with 11 other students, were receiving $ 35 each. With them, she organized a mobile theater group that performed plays outside the city for four seasons.
“I have always wanted to be skilled at anything and be someone,” said the actress.
In the 1940s, Paige moved to New York, where she worked for some time as a cloakroom attendant, then at a thread factory, and then Geraldine was accidentally taken as a model of underwear.
“The first rule of survival is to stretch every penny,” Paige once said. - I ate soup at a restaurant for 15 cents, eating free buns and stuffing my pockets with them. Fortunately, food didn't mean much to me."
The turning point for the actress 1952
Geraldine Page's first real breakthrough came after theater director Jose Quintero accepted her for casting. Paige got the female role in the off-Broadway play Summer and Smoke in 1952, where the actress embodied the image of the heroine Alma Weinmiller, suffering from unrequited love.
After a superbly executed image, Geraldine attracted the attention of audiences and directors. The following year, the actress made her Broadway debut. Despite the fact that the production was mediocre, critics and the public were delighted with the promising young actress, and the producers had to increase her fee to "star" size.
The actress has appeared in both Broadway and off-Broadway productions over the years. Theatrical writers have described Geraldine Page as "the most disciplined and dedicated actress."
In addition to working on stage, Paige took part in film projects. So, in 1961-62, she starred in the film versions of the plays "Summer and Smoke" with Lawrence Harvey and "Sweet-voiced Bird of Youth" with Paul Newman.
Geraldine Page has received leading female roles in films, such as in the comedy melodramas Dear Heart and You Are Now a Big Boy, the crime detective What Happened to Aunt Alice ?, the war drama with Clint Eastwood Deceived.
The American actress also starred in TV series (Robert Montgomery Presents, The Collection, The Steel Hour of the United States, Sunday Showcase, The Long Hot Summer, etc.).
The first "Oscar" in the career of an actress
Geraldine Page has been nominated for the prestigious American Film Awards eight times. Finally, her role in Peter Masterson's 1985 dramatic film A Trip to the Bountiful brought the actress a long-awaited award.
In the film, Paige portrays the character of Carrie Watts, an elderly woman who, at the end of her life, wants to return to the town of her childhood, but her desire is not immediately supported by her children.
American journalist Vincent Canby wrote about the actress in The New York Times: "Geraldine Page was never in the best shape for her character, which makes her one of the most remarkable actresses."
Despite a successful film career in Hollywood, Paige has always remained devoted to acting in the repertoire theater throughout her life, making do with small fees for supporting roles.
Geraldine Page has won two Emmy Awards for her superb portrayal in television productions.
Personal life of Geraldine Page
The actress has been married twice. The first marriage to Alexander Schneider, a native of Vilnius of Jewish origin, lasted two years and ended in divorce in 1956.
In 1963, Geraldine Page became the wife of Rip Thorne, a successful American actor and director seven years her junior.
At 39, Paige gave birth to her first child, daughter Angelica, and a year later, twins Jonathan and Anthony.
Geraldine Page died on June 13, 1987 at her home in New York from a heart attack.
