Geraldine Fitzgerald is an American actress with Irish roots. The peak of her career came in the 30-40s of the last century. She is best known for her roles in such popular films of the time as Watch on the Rhine and Wuthering Heights. Inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.
Biography: early years
Geraldine Mary Fitzgerald was born on November 27, 1913 in Greystones, Irish County Wicklow. Her parents were far from the acting world. His father worked as a lawyer, and his mother did housework. Young Geraldine's love for the scene was instilled by her maternal aunt, actress and director Shelah Richards. After leaving school, she entered acting courses.
At the age of 19, Geraldine began acting in one of Dublin's theaters. She moved to London two years later. There, the talented Irish woman was noticed by local directors and began to be invited to films. Her film debut took place in 1934. Then Geraldine was 21 years old. She played a role in Open All Night. Geraldine soon became one of the leading actresses in British cinema.
The first resounding success came to her only in 1937, when she appeared in the film "The Old Mill" by Tim Willan. Before that, she managed to star in a dozen films. However, they did not have much success. And only after the "Old Mill" Geraldine received a significant portion of fame.
Encouraged by the great success, she hastened to leave London. Geraldine moved to the States, where there were more opportunities for further development of her acting career.
Career: peak of fame
In 1938, Geraldine continued her career in the United States. She soon began to shine on Broadway. Producer Hal Wallis signed a seven-year contract with her.
A year later, she was nominated for an Oscar for her supporting role in the popular melodrama Wuthering Heights. The film was directed by William Wyler. In the same year, Geraldine got a role in another melodrama, which was equally successful with the audience. She starred in the film "Defeat the Dark". Her partners were George Brent and Bette Davis.
Over the next three years, Geraldine starred in films such as:
- "The child was born";
- "Until we meet again";
- Shining Victoria;
- Run away from fate.
Geraldine's career went uphill. In 1942, she starred in the film The Merry Sisters. Director Irving Rapper approved her for the role of one of the three sisters. The film was based on the novel by Stephen Longstreet.
A year later, Geraldine was approved for the role of Martha in the film "Watch on the Rhine", which was well received by the audience. The film was directed by Herman Shumlin. It was based on the popular play by Lillian Hellman, which by that time was shown on Broadway about 400 times. The picture was of a propaganda nature, which was relevant in the midst of World War II. She won the New York Film Critics Award for Best Picture. Watch on the Rhine was also nominated for an Oscar.
In 1944, Geraldine starred in Wilson. In the same year, she got a role in the film Courageous Ladies. At this time, Geraldine began to clash with the movie bosses. Because of this, she had a career decline. She lost roles, she was less and less invited to audition. So, Geraldine lost her role in the movie "The Maltese Falcon" due to disagreements with the movie mogul and the president of the Hollywood studio Warner Bros Jack Warner.
In 1946, she appeared in the crime film Three Strangers. After that, Geraldine decided to leave Hollywood. She moved to New York, where she took up her personal life.
After marriage, Geraldine returned to England. There she starred in several films and TV series, including "So Wicked, My Love" and "The Late of Edwina Black." In the drama “So Wicked, My Love,” Geraldine appeared as the wife of a cheater and an alcoholic. She perfectly got used to the role, for which she received rave reviews from critics.
In 1951, Geraldine moved to the States again. After her return, she practically did not act in films. Her career began to revive only 10 years later. In the 60s, Hollywood directors again drew attention to Geraldine. So, in 1964 she appeared in the film "The Usurer". This was followed by a role in the film "Rachel, Rachel".
In the period from the late 60s to the early 90s, Geraldine starred in several dozen films, including:
- "Goodbye, male";
- "Arthur";
- Tristan and Isolde;
- Circle of Violence;
- "Easy Money";
- "Pernicious attraction";
- "Poltergeist 2".
In addition to movies, the actress has also actively starred in TV series. Her role in the popular TV series Golden Girls earned the Irish an Emmy nomination. Then she did not receive it.
Geraldine won an Emmy in 1978, but this time for her role in one of the NBC TV shows. She took part in television programs, played on the theater stage, performed in cabaret. Geraldine also tried herself as a director. Moreover, she made history as the first woman to be nominated for the prestigious Tony Theater Award.
For her significant contribution to the American film industry, Geraldine was awarded a star on the legendary Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal life
Geraldine Fitzgerald has been married twice. Her first husband was British director Edward Lindsay-Hogg. Geraldine married him in 1936. Four years later, a son Michael appeared in the family, who later followed in his father's footsteps. In 1946, Geraldine and Edward divorced.
In the same year, the actress got married for the second time. Her chosen one was Stuart Steefel, the son of a major American businessman and co-owner of the Macy's department store chain. In the second marriage, a daughter, Susan, was born. She subsequently became a clinical psychologist. Geraldine passed away in 2005 in New York. The actress had Alzheimer's disease.
