Vivien Leigh Timeline

Birth

Nov 5, 1913

Vivian Mary Hartley, later known as Vivien Leigh, was born in Darjeeling, India. Her parents were from Bridlington in Yorkshire, but they spent the early years of their marriage in India.

First Marriage

Dec 20, 1932

Leigh married Leigh Holman in December after meeting him that past February. This marriage led to the termination of her studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). His first name led to the revision of her "stage" name.

Gives Birth to Her Daugter

Oct 12, 1933

Leigh gives birth to her only daughter Suzanne. She ended up leaving her husband and child in order to have a career in acting. Suzanne was raised by her father and maternal grandmother, and occasionally saw her mother. Ultimately, it wasn't Leigh's career that drove her from her home, but rather her desire to be with Laurence Olivier.

Her First Film Role

Mar 26, 1935

Vivien landed a small part in the 1935 film Things Are Looking Up, playing a school girl. Although she only had one line, the camera kept returning to her face.

Fire Over England Premieres

Jan 8, 1937

This movie provided the pairing of Leigh and her soon-to-be husband Laurence Olivier. Set during the reign of Elizabeth I, it is said that Leigh's performance helped convince David O. Selznick to cast her as Scarlett O'Hara.

Stars in Gone With the Wind

Dec 15, 1939

The film premiered on Decemeber 15, 1939
It was a two-and-a-half year search for a female star, and in 1938, Leigh made a request to be considered for the role of Scarlett O'Hara.Though, her American theatrical agent, David Selznick, thought that she was "too British." Leigh travelled to Los Angeles, however, to try to convince Selznick that she was Scarlett. She secured a screen test with the director, George Cukor, and was ultimately given the role; starring alongside Clark Gable.

Wins an Oscar for Best Actress

Feb 29, 1940

Leigh wins an Oscar for her lead role as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With the Wind. She was the first British woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress.

Waterloo Bridge

May 17, 1940

Leigh stars in the MGM film Waterloo Bridge alongside Robert Taylor. Originally, she was supposed to star with Olivier, but Selznick made the decision to replace him. The film was popular with audiences and critics, and it is considered to be her "third best" film.

Second Marriage

Aug 31, 1940

Leigh and Laurence Olivier began their affair in 1936. After Holman agreed to divorce Leigh, she married Olivier in August 1940. They had a small ceremony in Santa Barbara, California; their only witnesses being Katherine Hepburn and Garson Kanin.

Caesar and Cleopatra

Dec 11, 1945

Leigh starred alongside Claude Rains. The film was considered a box office failure. During the filming, Leigh had her first of many major bipolar disorder breakdowns after having a miscarriage.

Stars in A Streetcar Named Desire

Sep 18, 1951

Leigh originally played the role of Blanche DuBois in the West End stage production of Tennessee William's 1947 play A Streetcar Named Desire. After its run, she was contracted to portray Blance in the 1951 film adaptation. She starred alongside Marlon Brando. Williams, himself, said that Leigh's performance was "everything that [he] intended, and much that [he] had never dreamed of". Leigh explains that this role "tipped her over into madness"

Wins Second Oscar for Best Actress

Mar 20, 1952

Leigh wins an Oscar for her lead role as Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire.

The Deep Blue Sea

Aug 23, 1955

Leigh starred in Anatole Litvak's film The Deep Blue Sea with Kenneth More. More explained that he felt he had poor chemistry with Leigh during the filming.

South Sea Bubble

Mar 20, 1956

Leigh was set to star in the stage production of South Sea Bubble by Noël Coward, but she withdrew after she became pregnant. Several weeks later, she miscarried, leading her into a long period of depression.

Hollywood Walk of Fame

Feb 8, 1960

Leigh was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8th, 1960.

Divorces Olivier

Mar 10, 1960

After 20 years of marriage, Leigh and Olivier divorced in 1960. Apparently her bipolar disorder was too much to bear. Leigh soon began a new relationship with the actor John Merivale, and it is said that he adored her despite knowing the extent of her illness.

Wins a Tony Award

Apr 28, 1963

In 1963, Leigh wins Best Leading Actress in a Musical for Tovarich on Broadway.

Death

Jul 8, 1967

Leigh dies at the age of 53 from tuberculosis. She died at her home in London, England. This was her second battle with Tuberculosis.

AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars

Jun 15, 1999

Leigh is ranked as the 16th greatest female movie star of classic Hollywood cinema by the American Film Institute.