Audrey Hepburn (born Audrey Kathleen Ruston; 4 May 1929 – 20 January 1993) was a British actress and humanitarian. Recognised as both a film and fashion icon, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the third-greatest female screen legend from the Classical Hollywood cinema and was inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame.
Born in Ixelles, Brussels to an aristocratic family, Hepburn spent parts of her childhood in Belgium, England, and the Netherlands. She studied ballet with Sonia Gaskell in Amsterdam beginning in 1945, and with Marie Rambert in London from 1948. She began performing as a chorus girl in West End musical theatre productions and then had minor appearances in several films. She rose to stardom in the romantic comedy Roman Holiday (1953) alongside Gregory Peck, for which she was the first actress to win an Oscar, a Golden Globe Award, and a BAFTA Award for a single performance. That year, she also won a Tony Award for Best Lead Actress in a Play for her performance in Ondine.
She went on to star in a number of successful films such as Sabrina (1954), in which Humphrey Bogart and William Holden compete for her affection; Funny Face (1957), a musical where she sang her own parts; the drama The Nun’s Story (1959); the romantic comedy Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961); the thriller-romance Charade (1963), opposite Cary Grant; and the musical My Fair Lady (1964). In 1967 she starred in the thriller Wait Until Dark, receiving Academy Award, Golden Globe, and BAFTA nominations. After that, she only occasionally appeared in films, one being Robin and Marian (1976) with Sean Connery. Her last recorded performances were in the 1990 documentary television series Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement – Informational Programming.
Hepburn won three BAFTA Awards for Best British Actress in a Leading Role. In recognition of her film career, she received BAFTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, and the Special Tony Award. She remains one of only sixteen people who have won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards. Later in life, Hepburn devoted much of her time to UNICEF, to which she had contributed since 1954. Between 1988 and 1992, she worked in some of the poorest communities of Africa, South America, and Asia. In December 1992, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in recognition of her work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. A month later, she died of appendiceal cancer at her home in Switzerland at the age of 63. (Wikipedia)
Chorus girls from the show ‘Sauce Tartare’ at the Cambridge Theatre in London, relax on the roof of the theatre, 28th June 1949. From left to right, they are Aud Johanssen of Norway, Audrey Hepburn (1929 – 1993) and Enid Smeedon. 1949Ever wonder where Hepburn got her chic style? It was from her mother, Dutch Baroness Ella Van Heemstra. Here, the pair walk alongside one another in Rome. 1955A trained ballerina, Hepburn was well-versed in the art of dance. Here, she practices at the barre. 1950Leave it to this fun-loving lady to make even the coldest of days look like a grand ol’ time. 1950Belgian-born actress Audrey Hepburn (1929 – 1993) on the set of director Billy Wilder’s film, ‘Sabrina’ (aka ‘Sabrina Fair’), New York, October 1953. She is wearing a skirt suit and hat designed by Hubert de Givenchy. After filming Roman Holiday in New York City, Hepburn returned home to a big “welcome back” cake at the Claridge’s Hotel in London. 1953Only Hepburn could look this stunning while getting ready. 1955Looking ethereal and thoughtful in a stunning color photo, Hepburn writes a letter while sitting on a log. 1955Naturally, Hepburn would be great with animals. Here, she poses holding a young deer. 1958Mel Ferrer and Hepburn affectionately look at their son Sean Hepburn Ferrer, born in 1960.Here, she poses with her dog while on a film set. 1960Audrey Hepburn (1929-1993), British actress, wearing red and white check trousers, and her husband, Mel Ferrer (1917-2008), US actor, wearing a black and white check shirt, smiling as they pose beside a bull, with Ferrer holding the bull by the horn, circa 1960.That’s right, she even loved the fish! Well, this one’s not technically alive, but still, you can see the delight in her eyes. 1960Everyone needs a touchup now and again, even Audrey Hepburn. Behind the scenes of How to Steal A Million, she sits in the makeup chair. 1965Hepburn barely looks bothered that this dove is perched right on her shoulder. 1965Of course Hepburn looks fantastic even when drenched, swimming in the South of France while filming Two for the Road. 1966Before models made goofy facial expressions all over Instagram, Hepburn led the pack with her cute and funny faces, like this one on the set of How to Steal A Million in Paris. 1966While shooting Two for the Road, Hepburn took a quick break for some cricket. 1966Looking like an especially glamorous spy, Hepburn walks (holding an image of herself, no less) in New York wearing a camel-colored trench and cool shades. 1968In this portrait, Hepburn has a moment to herself while wearing a chic hat and pretty pearl earrings. 1969Looking every bit the cool couple, Hepburn walks alongside her husband, psychiatrist Andrea Dotti, in Rome. 1970A big consistent in Hepburn’s career: The ability to dress perfectly for any occasion. She attended the 47th Academy Awards wearing a marvelous beaded and bow-tied design. 1975Hepburn attended plenty of soirees in her life, including Art Buchwald’s party at The Bistro in Los Angeles, a snapshot of which is seen here. 1975
Yesterday Today 