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Moira ShearerBritish ballerina and actress
Date of Birth: 17.01.1926
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Moira Shearer
Moira Shearer, born Moira Shearer King, was a British ballerina and actress. She was born in 1926 in Scotland, into a creative family. Her father, Harold V. King, was an amateur actor who decided to teach his daughter dance. Moira proved to be very talented and dedicated. By the mid-1930s, she was studying in London and later joined the Sadler's Wells Ballet School.
Rise to Fame
Moira Shearer became the first performer of the leading roles in Sir Frederick Ashton's ballets. In 1948, another exciting chapter began in Shearer's life and career when she played the lead role in the film "The Red Shoes" directed by Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. The film was based on the fairy tale by Andersen and achieved tremendous success, receiving two Academy Awards and being included in the British Film Institute's list of the 10 best British films. Her role as Vicky became one of her most memorable performances, despite her later numerous other outstanding roles. Interestingly, the satin shoes she wore in the film were sold at an auction in 2000 for $25,000.
Peak of Popularity
During the 1950s, Moira Shearer reached the peak of her popularity, with the audience enthusiastically embracing any work by the talented dancer and actress. In 1954, she dazzled on Broadway in the highly popular production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." In 1951, she appeared as the main character in the beautiful musical fantasy "The Tales of Hoffmann" as both Stella and Olympia. In 1953, Shearer retired from ballet due to injuries, general health issues, and her desire to focus on acting. She made a brief return to the stage in 1987. In the same year, she starred in the musical drama "The Story of Three Loves" alongside Pier Angeli, Ethel Barrymore, and Kirk Douglas.
Later Career and Personal Life
In 1960, Shearer played in the French musical drama "1-2-3-4 ou Les Collants noirs" by Terence Young and also took on the lead role in Michael Powell's thriller "Peeping Tom." In 1950, Moira married Sir Ludovic Henry Coverley Kennedy, a British writer, journalist, and actor. They had four children together - one son and three daughters. Their marriage lasted until Moira Shearer's death in 2006.
In the 1970s, Moira Shearer served as a member of the Scottish Arts Council and also gave ballet lectures. She lived to the age of 80 and passed away on January 31, 2006.
