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Vivien Leigh Facts
| Sign | Scorpio |
| Born |
Nov 5, 1913 Darjeeling, British India. [now India] |
| Died |
Jul 7, 1967 Belgravia, London |
| Age | Died at 53 |
| Total Facts | 58 |
Was close friends with Rachel Kempson, the mother of Oscar-winning actress Vanessa Redgrave.
Was named #16 Actress on The American Film Institutes 50 Greatest Screen Legends
Was obsessed with hiding her large hands. Gloves were a favorite cover-up, she owned more than 150 pairs.
Was offered the part of Alice Aisgill in Room at the Top (1959), but she turned the role down. Simone Signoret was cast instead and she went on to win a Best Actress Oscar for her performance.
Was offered the supporting role of Isabella in Wuthering Heights (1939), but decided to gamble and hold out for the lead role of Cathy. Director William Wyler thought she was crazy to pass up the opportunity, telling her, "You will never get a better part than Isabella for an American debut." Shortly after, she landed the plum role of Scarlett O'Hara.
Was the first British actress to win an Academy Award. She won the Best Actress Oscar for Gone with the Wind (1939) in February 1940.
When making Gone with the Wind (1939), super macho director Victor Fleming wanted Scarlett, for at least once in the film, to look like his hunting buddy Clark Gable's type of woman. So, when wearing the stunning low-cut burgundy velvet dress with rhinestones that Scarlett wears to Ashley Wilkes' birthday party in the second half of the film, to achieve the desired cleavage for Fleming, Walter Plunkett had to tape Vivien Leigh's breasts together.
Won Broadway's 1963 Tony Award as Best Actress (Musical) for "Tovarich."