Vivien Leigh

born: 5 November 1913
Where: Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
Died: 7 July 1967

The twice Oscar-winning actress, was born in India where she lived until she was 6 years old.

She began her career on the London stage and made her film debut in a 1934 British film, Things Are Looking Up.

After which she made a handful of undistinguished quickies before being cast in Fire Over England (1937) opposite Laurence Olivier. Although they were both married, they fell in love almost immediately, and continued their romance until they were both free to marry again in 1940.

During their courtship, they co-starred in 21 Days Together (1938), and whilst on a trip with Laurence to LA, Vivien happened upon a screen test that would make her famous.

Gone With The Wind (1939) was already in production, but they were struggling to find a lead female to play Scarlett O'Hara - that is until Vivien turned up. They were smitten by her beauty and talent and the part was hers.

The film became one of the most celebrated in the annals of cinema, winning Best Picture at the Academy Awards, and Vivien was named Best Actress.

In 1940, she made two films, Waterloo Bridge (1940) and 21 Days (1940) although neither were as successful as Gone With The Wind.

A year after marrying Olivier, Vivien starred with him in the 1941 film That Hamilton Woman. Two other films in that period were Caesar and Cleopatra (1945) and Anna Karenina (1948).

Then came another highlight in her career, A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) in which she starred with Marlon Brando. Her turn as Blanche DuBois gained her another Best Actress Oscar.

Vivien's career slowed down at this stage - she completed two British films The Deep Blue Sea (1955) and The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (1961) and one American movie Ship Of Fools (1965).

Having divorced Olivier in 1960, she died in 1967 after a severe bout of tuberculosis.