Grace Kelly
From Alfred Hitchcock Wiki
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- born: 12/Nov/1929 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA)
- died: 14/Sep/1982 (Monacoville, Monaco) - road accident
Biography
Grace Patricia Kelly was an Academy Award-winning American film actress who, as a result of marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco on April 19, 1956, became Her Serene Highness Princess Grace of Monaco. She was the mother of the principality's current reigning Sovereign Prince, Albert II of Monaco. Princess Grace was required to renounce her American citizenship upon her marriage.
Early life
Kelly was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to John Brendan Kelly, Sr., also known as Jack Kelly, and Margaret Katherine Majer, a Catholic convert from Lutheranism. Kelly's father's Irish American Catholic family (originally from Kidney Lake, Newport, Co. Mayo, Ireland) were new but prominent figures in Philadelphia society.
Career
Though her family had opposed her becoming an actress, Kelly became a fashion model and appeared in her first film, "Fourteen Hours" (1951), when she was 22. The following year she "starred" (with a supporting role) in "High Noon" (1952), a generally praised but somewhat controversial western starring Gary Cooper.
Her next film, "Mogambo" (1953), was a drama set in the Kenyan jungle which centers on the love triangle portrayed by Kelly, Clark Gable, and Ava Gardner. Whilst filming this movie she had an affair with Gable, later memorably commenting "What else is there to do if you're alone in a tent in Africa with Clark Gable?" The movie earned Kelly an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress, but the award went to Donna Reed for her role in "From Here to Eternity". Kelly made three films with Alfred Hitchcock: "Dial M for Murder", "Rear Window", and "To Catch a Thief".
In 1955, she was awarded the Academy Award for Best Actress for "The Country Girl". While it was being filmed, she was romanced by co-star Bing Crosby, a fellow Irish Catholic (who had recently lost his wife), but Kelly always denied that they had an affair.
Life as Princess
The musical comedy "High Society" (1956) was her last film, as her marriage to Prince Rainier III of Monaco marked her retirement from acting. Before her marriage, she was previously allegedly involved with Clark Gable, Bing Crosby, Ray Milland, William Holden, Oleg Cassini, and Jean-Pierre Aumont. She reportedly was surprised to learn from Rainier that she was expected to give up her film career entirely, but followed his wishes grudgingly.
At the age of 52, in September 1982, Princess Grace suffered a stroke while driving. It had been rumored that she was driving on the same stretch of highway in Monaco that had been featured in "To Catch a Thief", although her son claims that it was not. It resulted in an accident, and she died the next day without regaining consciousness. Princess Stéphanie, who was alleged by some sources to have been the actual driver of the car, suffered only minor injuries.
Princess Grace is interred in St. Nicholas Cathedral, Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Filmography
With Hitchcock...
- Dial M for Murder (1954) - cast: Margot Mary Wendice
- Rear Window (1954) - cast: Lisa Carol Fremont
- To Catch a Thief (1955) - cast: Frances Stevens
Other works of note...
- Fourteen Hours (1951) - cast: Mrs. Louise Ann Fuller
- High Noon (1952) - cast: Amy Fowler Kane
- The Country Girl (1954) - cast: Georgie Elgin
Articles
Books
"Grace Kelly: A Life in Pictures" by Pierre-Henri Verlhac & Yann-Brice Dherbier
"Grace Kelly: Icon of Style to Royal Bride" by H.Kristina Haugland
"True Grace: The Life and Times of an American Princess" by Wendy Leigh
"The Grace Kelly Years: Princess of Monaco" by Frederic Mitterrand
External Links
Film Frames
Selection of film frames of Grace Kelly (click image to view larger version or refresh thumbnails)...
Image Gallery
Images from the Hitchcock Gallery (click to view larger versions or search for all relevant images)...