Lilian Fontaine

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Lilian Fontaine
Lilian Fontaine with her daughters, Joan and Olivia, c. 1922.png
Lilian Fontaine with her daughters, Joan and Olivia, c. 1922
Born
Lilian Augusta Ruse

(1886-06-11)11 June 1886
Reading, Berkshire, UK
Died20 February 1975(1975-02-20) (aged 88)
Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Alma materRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
OccupationActress
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. 1914; div. 1925)​

George Milan-Fontaine
​
​
(m. 1925; died 1956)​
ChildrenOlivia de Havilland
Joan Fontaine

Lilian Augusta Fontaine (née Ruse, formerly de Havilland; 11 June 1886 – 20 February 1975) was an English actress and mother of Academy Award-winning actresses Dame Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine.

Early years[]

Fontaine was born in Reading, Berkshire. She received a scholarship from Reading College at age 13 for her musical talent and studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.[1]

Personal life[]

After a stage career Fontaine married the British patent attorney Walter de Havilland (1872–1968). Her first daughter, Olivia, was born in 1916, followed by her second daughter, Joan, in 1917. Fontaine decided to end the marriage in 1919 after several years of marital strain and eventual separation; the divorce was not finalised, however, until February 1925.[2]

In 1922, the family moved to California, hoping that the climate there would improve the health of the daughters, who suffered "recurring ailments".[3] De Havilland soon returned to Japan, while his wife and daughters stayed in Saratoga, California, until 1933.[3]

In April 1925, she married the department store manager George M. Fontaine. They were married until his death in 1956. She lived with her two daughters in Saratoga, California, and encouraged them to pursue acting careers.

Career[]

Fontaine coached drama students when she lived in Saratoga, California, and she produced plays in a garden theatre that later was named for her.[4]

After both of her daughters reached film stardom, Fontaine returned to acting with a notable role in Billy Wilder's drama The Lost Weekend (1945) as the mother of Jane Wyman's character. She also played supporting roles in two films with her daughter Joan, Ivy (1947) and The Bigamist (1953) and made a few television appearances during the 1950s.

From 1948 to 1958, Fontaine taught an acting class that developed into the Los Gatos Theatre workshop.[5]

Death[]

Fontaine died on 20 February 1975 of cancer aged 88.[6]

Legacy[]

The Lilian Fontaine Garden Theatre in Saratoga, California, was named in honour of the actress,[4] and that city's Fontaine Drive was also named in her honour.[3]

Filmography[]

Year Title Role Notes
1945 The Lost Weekend Mrs. St. James
1946 The Locket Lady Wyndham
1947 Suddenly, It's Spring Mary's Mother
1947 Time Out of Mind Aunt Melinda
1947 The Imperfect Lady Mrs. Gunner
1947 Ivy Lady Flora
1953 The Bigamist Miss Higgins, Landlady
1954 Waterfront Helen Martin TV Series, 1 episode
1955 Studio 57 Anita Wilcox TV Series, 1 episode
1955 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars TV Series, 1 episode
1956 Passport to Danger TV Series, 1 episode
1957 Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans Marian TV Series, 1 episode

References[]

  1. ^ UPI (22 February 1975). "Lilian Fontaine, Actress, Dies". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  2. ^ Bubbeo, Daniel (2002). The Women of Warner Brothers: The Lives and Careers of 15 Leading Ladies, with Filmographies for Each. McFarland & Company. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-7864-1137-5. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
  3. ^ a b c "Joan Fontaine had fond memories of growing up in Saratoga". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  4. ^ a b Scheinin, Richard (13 August 2016). "Actress Joan Fontaine is funding refurbishment of Montalvo's Garden Theatre". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Actress Lilian Fontaine, 88". Tampa Bay Times. Florida, St. Petersburg. 23 February 1975. p. 21–B. Retrieved 2 June 2018 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. ^ Amburn, Ellis (September 2018). Olivia de Havilland and the Golden Age of Hollywood. Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press. p. 299. ISBN 978-1-49303-409-3.

External links[]

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