Immigrant of the Day: Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn (May 4, 1929–January 20, 1993) was an Academy Award-winning actress of film and theatre, Broadway stage performer, ballerina, fashion model, and humanitarian. Raised under Nazi rule in Arnhem, Netherlands during World War II, Hepburn trained extensively to become a ballerina, before deciding to pursue acting. She first gained notice for her starring role in the Broadway production of Gigi (1951). She was then cast in Roman Holiday (1953) as Princess Ann, the role for which she won an Academy Award. She was one of the leading Hollywood actresses during the 1950s and 1960s and received four more Academy Award nominations, including one for her iconic performance as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961). In 1964, she played Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, the critically acclaimed film adaptation of the musical.

From 1988 until her death in 1993, Hepburn served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her work. In 1999, she was ranked as the third greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute in their list of AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Stars.

Click here and here for more information about Hepburn.

KJ