Today, on 22 October 1917, the iconic actress was born Joan Fontaine (Joan Fontaine), one of the brightest figures of Hollywood's Golden Age. Born under the name Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland in Tokyo, Japan by British parents, Joan grew up in a family with a strong artistic tradition. Her mother was an actress, while her sister, Olivia de Havilland, she also became famous in the film world.
Joan and Olivia developed a complicated relationship early on, full of tension and competition. Although both went on to have impressive careers, their personal rivalry - known as one of the most intense and long-lasting in the film world - marked both sisters' lives.
The Early Years and the Beginning of the Career
The Fontaine family moved from Japan to the United States when Joan was young. After some illnesses in her childhood, Joan was able to recover her health and began pursuing the acting path alongside her sister. The 1935 made her first appearance in the cinema with small roles, while in the same year she decided to use the stage name Joan Fontaine to separate herself professionally from Olivia.
Working with Alfred Hitchcock and Recognition
Her career took off in 1940 with the film “Rebecca” by Alfred Hitchcock, based on the novel of the same name by Daphne Di Morier. In the film, Fontaine plays the unnamed heroine, a young woman who marries wealthy Maxime de Winter (Laurence Olivier) and lives in the shadow of his first wife, Rebecca. Her performance won her widespread acclaim and earned her her first Oscar nomination.
the 1941, Fontaine collaborated again with Hitchcock in the film "Suspicions." ("Suspicion"), in which she plays a woman who begins to believe that her husband (Carrie Grant) is planning to kill her. Her performance was so outstanding that she won the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the only actress to win an Oscar for her performance in a Hitchcock film.
Career Peak and Major Movies
Fontaine's success continued in the 1940s with a series of notable films. At “The Constant Nymph” (1943), her performance earned her another Oscar nomination. The 1944, πρωταγωνίστησε στη δραματική ταινία “Jane Eyre”, where she played the heroine of Charlotte Bronte's classic novel, alongside Orson Welles. The films followed “Letter from an Unknown Woman” (1948)and “Ivy” (1947), which enhanced her reputation as one of the most talented and elegant actresses of her time.
The rivalry with Olivia de Havilland
Joan Fontaine's relationship with her sister, Olivia de Havilland, was one of the most talked about topics in Hollywood. The tension between them began in childhood and continued for decades. Their rivalry reached its peak when Joan won the Oscar in 1942, a victory said to have intensified the bitterness of Olivia, who was also a candidate that year.
Despite rumours of minor attempts at reconciliation, the two sisters never restored their relationship and the bitterness remained until Joan's death in 2013.
The Last Years and the Legacy
Joan Fontaine continued to work in film and theatre until the 1960s, when she decided to retire from the limelight. She lived her last years quietly in California, devoting herself to various hobbies, including writing, cooking and flower gardening.
He died on 15 December 2013, at the age of 96, leaving behind a rich legacy in cinema. Her films remain timeless, and the elegance, talent and sensitivity she brought to her roles make her one of the most memorable actresses of her time.
