Geraldine Fiyzgerald Irish and American actress Date of Birth: 27.11.1913 Country: USA

Biography of Geraldine Fitzgerald

Geraldine Fitzgerald, an Irish-American actress, was born on November 27, 1913, in Greystones, County Wicklow, Ireland. Her parents were Edith, a Protestant who converted to Catholicism, and Edward, a lawyer. Inspired by her aunt, actress and director Sheila Richards, Geraldine began her acting career in 1932 at a theater in Dublin.

In 1934, she moved to London and started appearing in British films. Her talent quickly gained recognition, and in 1937, Fitzgerald achieved her first taste of fame with her role in Tim Whelan's drama film "The Mill on the Floss." This success led her to America and Broadway in 1938. She signed a seven-year contract with producer Hal B. Wallis and reached unprecedented success in 1939, earning a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Isabella Linton in William Wyler's "Wuthering Heights." That same year, Fitzgerald played a significant role as Anne King in the melodrama "Dark Victory," alongside Bette Davis and George Brent. Both films became box office favorites.

Although Fitzgerald appeared in dramas such as "Shining Victory" and "Watch on the Rhine," her career suffered due to frequent conflicts with film studio management. Her disagreements, particularly with Jack Warner, caused her to lose the role of Brigid O'Shaughnessy in the film "The Maltese Falcon." In the 1940s, Fitzgerald continued to work, but her new roles failed to bring back her past popularity.

During World War II, she obtained American citizenship and, after starring in the crime drama "Three Strangers" in 1946, she left Hollywood and returned to New York. There, she married Stuart Scheftel, the eldest son of entrepreneur Isidor Straus, for the second time. In 1948, Fitzgerald received critical acclaim for her performance as an adulterous alcoholic wife in the British drama "So Evil My Love." Before returning to America, she agreed to portray Elizabeth Graham in the detective drama "The Late Edwina Black."

Fitzgerald's career went through a renaissance in the 1960s. She starred in successful films such as "Ten North Frederick," "The Pawnbroker," and "Rachel, Rachel." Additionally, she received a nomination for the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actress for her role in the drama "The Mango Tree." Fitzgerald also appeared in two parts of the comedy "Arthur" and the horror film "Poltergeist II: The Other Side."

She remained active on the theatrical stage, receiving recognition for her performance in the revival of the play "Long Day's Journey Into Night" during the 1940s. As a theater director, Fitzgerald became one of the first women to win the prestigious Tony Award for her production of "Mass Appeal" in 1982.

On television, Fitzgerald made guest appearances in series such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Naked City," "St. Elsewhere," and "Cagney & Lacey." After portraying Rose Kennedy in the miniseries "Kennedy," she was nominated for an Emmy Award for her guest role as Anna in the series "Golden Girls." Finally, she won a Daytime Emmy Award for her participation in NBC's series "Special Treat."

From 1936 to 1946, Geraldine was married to Edward Lindsay-Hogg, with whom she had a son, Michael, who became a director. She remarried Stuart Scheftel, who passed away in 1994. Geraldine Fitzgerald passed away on July 17, 2005, in New York at the age of 91 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.