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Vivian AustinAmerican actress, dancer and singer Text of the article in Russian:
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of Vivian Austin
- Breakthrough
- Later Career and Personal Life
- Later Years and Legacy
- Vivian Austin passed away at the age of 84 on August 1, 2004.
Biography of Vivian Austin
Early Life and CareerVivian Austin, an American actress, dancer, and singer, gained recognition for her talent in the entertainment industry. She was born in the United States and at the age of 17, she married Glenn Austin, a millionaire playboy and car dealer. However, she did not take his surname immediately. Austin reminisces, "Glenn played polo, and he had to break in the ponies for polo. I helped him with that. I was able to sit on a horse, which helped me perform stunts in 'The Adventures of Red Ryder'." She was one of the 40 most beautiful women in the film industry and won several beauty pageants. Before signing a contract with WB in the 1930s, she was crowned "Miss Hollywood". Under her maiden name, Vivian Ko, she worked as a dancer and became a double for Rosemary Lane in the comedy musical "Hotel Hollywood". She also had minor roles in the musical films "Goldwyn Follies" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy".
Breakthrough
Austin's career breakthrough came when she was selected for the lead female role in the western film "The Adventures of Red Ryder" alongside Don Barry. The film, directed by William Witney and John English, propelled her career forward. Reflecting on her experience, she said, "Honestly, women in westerns didn't do much fifty years ago. Although I had the lead female role, it seemed more like a supporting role compared to the male characters."
Later Career and Personal Life
At the age of 17, Vivian married Glenn Austin, a millionaire playboy and car dealer. However, she did not take his surname immediately. Austin recalls, "Glenn played polo, and he had to break in the ponies for polo. I helped him with that. I was able to sit on a horse, which helped me perform stunts in 'The Adventures of Red Ryder'." In 1943, she signed a new contract and auditioned for the studio "Technicolor", where she filmed the adventure drama "Cobra Woman" with Maria Montez. Vivian said, "...I started using the name Vivian Austin. Well, I read a few lines and was given close-ups a couple of times in 'Cobra Woman', which was my screen test. From there, I went into singing and dancing in the musical with Gloria Jean, 'Moonlight in Vermont', and then played various parts." She later signed a contract with "Eagle Lion Films" after leaving Universal Studios. The company was not pleased with her name, so Vivian had to temporarily change her name to Terry Austin. However, she did not like it and soon ended her collaboration with the company. Actress Joan Ford then used the pseudonym Terry Moore with permission from Austin.
Later Years and Legacy
During her time with "Eagle Lion Films", Vivian appeared in five films as Terry Austin, including the detective movies "Philo Vance's Gamble" and "Philo Vance Returns". Due to health problems, she had to leave the film industry prematurely. Unfortunately, Austin lost her eyesight and, like the character Helen in Douglas Sirk's melodrama "Magnificent Obsession", she began to travel the world, seeking a way to regain her sight. One day, Dr. Ken Grow, who worked in Palm Springs, told her that he could cure her blindness. Austin recalls, "Thinking that I had nothing to lose, I agreed, but I was skeptical. But you know what! He restored my vision, and in the end, we got married."
