Gene Tierney

Gene Tierney was an American actress who is best known for her roles in “Laura,” “Leave Her to Heaven,” and “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.” Her captivating beauty and talent made her one of the most recognized stars of her time.

Personal and Family Life

Gene Eliza Tierney was born on November 19, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York, to Belle Lavinia and Howard Sherwood Tierney. She grew up in a wealthy environment, receiving a top-notch education, including time spent at a finishing school in Switzerland. Gene was married twice; first to Oleg Cassini, from whom she divorced in 1952, and later to William Howard Lee until his death in 1981.

Career

Gene began her career on Broadway before making her film debut in the 1940s, quickly rising to fame. Known for her stunning looks and powerful performances, she starred in many successful films, such as “Laura” in 1944 and received an Oscar nomination for “Leave Her to Heaven” in 1945. Despite her success, she faced personal challenges, including a troubled marriage and health issues that affected her career in the 1950s.

Death and Legacy

Gene Tierney passed away on November 6, 1991, from emphysema in Houston, Texas, just days before her 71st birthday. Her legacy lives on through her memorable film roles and the impact she had on classic Hollywood cinema. Despite her struggles, she remains an iconic figure admired for her talent and beauty.

Filmography

Title Release Date Character
Laura 1944-10-11 Laura Hunt
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir 1947-05-25 Lucy Muir
The Egyptian 1954-08-25 Baketamon
Dragonwyck 1946-04-19 Miranda Wells
The Iron Curtain 1948-06-16 Anna Gouzenko
The Secret of Convict Lake 1951-07-29 Marcia Stoddard
Whirlpool 1950-01-13 Ann Sutton
On the Riviera 1951-04-20 Lili Duran
Daughter of the Mind 1969-12-09 Lenore Constable
The Shanghai Gesture 1941-12-25 Victoria Charteris (aka “Poppy Smith”)
The Return of Frank James 1940-08-10 Eleanor Stone
Black Widow 1954-10-28 Iris Denver
Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake 1942-01-29 Eve
The Left Hand of God 1955-09-02 Anne ‘Scotty’ Scott
Advise & Consent 1962-06-06 Dolly Harrison
Where the Sidewalk Ends 1950-07-07 Morgan Taylor
Never Let Me Go 1953-03-18 Marya Lamarkina
Leave Her to Heaven 1945-12-25 Ellen Berent Harland
Tobacco Road 1941-02-20 Ellie May Lester
Night and the City 1950-06-15 Mary Bristol
China Girl 1942-12-09 Haoli Young
Belle Starr 1941-09-12 Belle Starr
Plymouth Adventure 1952-11-28 Dorothy Bradford
The Razor’s Edge 1946-11-19 Isabel Bradley
Sundown 1941-10-31 Graham ‘Zia’ Fletcher
The Pleasure Seekers 1964-12-25 Jane Barton
Rings on Her Fingers 1942-03-20 Susan Miller / Linda Worthington
Thunder Birds 1942-10-28 Kay Saunders
Personal Affair 1953-10-20 Kay Barlow
The Mating Season 1951-01-12 Maggie Carleton
Toys in the Attic 1963-07-31 Albertine Prine
Hudson’s Bay 1941-01-03 Barbara Hall
That Wonderful Urge 1948-11-20 Sara Farley
A Bell for Adano 1945-06-21 Tina Tomasino
Close to My Heart 1951-10-01 Midge Sheridan
Way of a Gaucho 1952-10-16 Teresa Chavez
Heaven Can Wait 1943-08-05 Martha Strabel Van Cleve
Gene Tierney: A Shattered Portrait 1999-03-26 Self (archive footage)
Gene Tierney, une star oubliée 2017-05-13 Self (archive footage)
The Costume Designer 1950-07-13