Joan Fontaine
Joan Fontaine lived from 1917 to 2013, a career spanning 78 years. Their work continues to be celebrated by fans worldwide.
Joan Fontaine stands as a defining figure among Japanese Actors of the Silent Generation.
Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland (October 22, 1917 – December 15, 2013), known professionally as Joan Fontaine, was an English-American actress who is best known for her starring roles in Hollywood films during the "Golden Age". She was born in Tokyo, Japan, in what was known as the International Settlement. Her father was a British patent attorney with a lucrative practice in Japan, but due to Joan and older sister Olivia de Havilland's recurring ailments the family moved to California in the hope
"Her defining career moment was winning the Best Actress Oscar for Alfred Hitchcock's "Suspicion" (1941), where she played the timid Lina McLaidlaw." — About Joan Fontaine
| Metric | Joan Fontaine | Avg Actor | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 96 | 53 | +43 yrs |
| Career length | 78 yrs | ~35 yrs | +43 yrs |
| Based on 3888 Actor profiles in our database | |||
See also
Facts about Joan Fontaine
Did you know that Joan Fontaine was not only a celebrated actress but also a licensed pilot and a skilled Cordon Bleu chef?
- She won the Best Actress Oscar for "Suspicion" (1941), famously beating her sister Olivia de Havilland who was also nominated.
- Joan was the only actor ever to win an Academy Award for a performance in a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock.
- Beyond acting, she was a licensed pilot, an accomplished interior decorator, and a certified Cordon Bleu chef.
- Her birth in the 'International Settlement' of Tokyo meant she was born on neutral ground, not technically Japanese soil.
- She adopted the surname Fontaine, her stepfather's name, to avoid confusion with her equally famous sister, Olivia de Havilland.
Her defining career moment was winning the Best Actress Oscar for Alfred Hitchcock's "Suspicion" (1941), where she played the timid Lina McLaidlaw. This role cemented her status as a leading lady in psychological thrillers, following her acclaimed performance in Hitchcock's "Rebecca" (1940).
Fontaine's legacy lies in her nuanced portrayal of vulnerable yet resilient women, particularly in the psychological thrillers of the 1940s. She remains an iconic figure of Hollywood's Golden Age, remembered for her elegant screen presence and intense performances.