Greer Garson Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Greer Garson was born on September 29, 1904. She was an American actress. She is known to have won and set a record of five consecutive Academy Award Nominations for Best Actress. Her career in acting advanced in the 1940s but declined in the 1980s when she ultimately retired from the film industry.

Early Life

Greer Garson was born Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson Fogelson on September 29, 1904. She was born in Manor Park, Greater London. She was born to George Garson who was a commercial clerk and Nancy Sophia Geer. Her father died when she was four months old, and so she was brought up by her mother. She was an only child. She attended King’s College in London where she graduated with a Degree in French.

Greer Garson later attended Universitie Grenoble Alpes where she graduated with a Degree in 18th Century Literature. She began her career as a market researcher for an advertising firm in London. She later left her job and joined the Birmingham Repertory Theatre to study acting.

Career

Greer Garson stayed at the Theatre for two years. In 1932, she made her stage debut with ‘Street Scene.’ In 1935, she made her first West End appearance at White Hall Theatre with ‘Golden Arrow.’ Her performance was appreciated and applauded by critics. She participated in other plays such as ‘Too True to Be Good’ at the West End. In 1937, while she was performing ‘Old Music’ she caught the attention of Louis B. Mayer. She signed a one year contract with Louis’s studio. In the same year, she entered into Hollywood.

In 1938, Greer Garson appeared in the film ‘Goodbye Mr. Chips.’ The film got her a nomination for the Academy Awards in the Best Actress Category. In 1939, she appeared in the film ‘Remember’ which was not a success but her popularity remained intact. In 1940, she appeared in the documentary film ‘Miracle of Sounds.’ In the same year, she starred in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ as the lead role. In 1941, she appeared in the films ‘Blossoms in the Dust’ and ‘Where Ladies Meet.’ In 1942, she won an Academy Award for her role in the film ‘Mrs. Miniver’. The film made a profit of $4.8 million for Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). In the same year, she appeared in the film ‘Random Harvest.’ The following year she made a cameo appearance in ‘The Youngest Profession.’

Greer Garson also starred in the biographical film ‘Marie Curie.’ In 1944 and 1945, she starred in the films ‘Mrs. Parkington’ and ‘The Valley of Decision’ respectively. Both the films were box office successes. After World War II most of her movies made losses, and her popularity began to go down since the movies were not as receptive as before World War II began. In 1954, her contract with MGM expired hence it was automatically terminated. She later began choosing which roles she wanted to appear in. In 1955, she starred in the Warner Bros’ film ‘Strange Lady in Town’ which grossed $2 million at the box office. Three years later she appeared in ‘Auntie Mame’ in Broadway. In 1960, she starred in the film ‘Sunrise at Campobello’ where she depicted Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1966, she appeared in the biographical film ‘The Singing Nun.’ 

In 1967, Greer Garson starred in the film ‘The Happiest Millionaire’ which was based on the true story of Anthony Drexel Biddle. The following year, she starred as a storyteller in the animated television special ‘The Little Drummer Boy.’ In 1978, she starred in the film ‘Little Women.’ In 1982, she made her final television appearance in the film industry in an episode of ‘The Love Boat.’ In 1986, she did her last work when she appeared in a documentary directed by William Wyler.

Awards And  Achievements

In 1943, Greer Garson won n Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the film ‘Mrs. Miniver’. She also received the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and Motion Picture Dram and National Board of Review Award for Best Actress both in the film ‘Sunshine at Campobello.’ In 1991, she was honoured with a honorary doctor of Arts Degree from Southern Methodist University located in Dallas, Texas. In 1993, her achievements were recognised by Queen Elizabeth II when she was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Personal Life

In 1933, Greer Garson got married to Edward Alec Abbot Snelson, but they divorced in 1943. In 1943, she got married to Richard Nay whom she divorced in 1947. In 1949, Greer Garson got married to Elijah Fogelson who was a Millionaire businessman. They remained married until his death in 1987. On April 6, 1996, she died of heart failure in a penthouse suite at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, Texas. She died at the age of ninety one.