• Date of Birth: September 30, 1921
  • Place of Birth: Helensburgh, Scotland, UK
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Deborah Kerr Biography

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Replace this image with an actor photoDeborah Kerr mini-bio: Born Deborah Jane Kerr-Trimmer in Scotland in 1921, she was the daughter of a soldier who had been gassed in World War I. A shy, insecure child, she found an outlet for expressing her feelings in acting. Her aunt, a radio star, got her some stage work when she was a teenager, and British film producer Gabriel Pascal noticed and cast her in his film of George Bernard Shaw's Major Barbara (1941) and Love on the Dole (1941). She quickly became a star of the British cinema, with roles such as the three women in The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943) and the nun in Black Narcissus (1947). In 1947, she came to MGM, where she repeated her success in films like The Hucksters (1947), Edward, My Son (1949) and Quo Vadis (1951). After a while, however, she tired of playing prim-and-proper English ladies, so she made the most of the role of the adulteress who romps on the beach with Burt Lancaster in From Here to Eternity (1953). The film was a success, and Kerr received her second Oscar nomination for the film. She also achieved success on the Broadway stage in "Tea and Sympathy," reprising her role in the 1956 film version. That same year, she played one of her best-remembered screen roles, "Mrs. Anna" in The King and I (1956). More success followed in Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957), An Affair to Remember (1957), Separate Tables (1958), The Sundowners (1960), The Innocents (1961) and The Night of the Iguana (1964). Then, in 1968, she suddenly quit movies, appalled by the explicit sex and violence of the day. After some stage and TV work in the 1970s and 1980s and swan song performances in The Assam Garden (1985) and Hold the Dream (1986) (TV), she retired from acting altogether. Deborah Kerr holds the record of the most Oscar nominations (six) without a win, but that was made up for in 1994, when she was given a Honorary Oscar for her screen achievements.

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Comments

  • periwinklepetticoats
    This woman was a class act. I never ever saw her in anything but the most flattering light. She was a perfect lady and so very gracious. I am sorry we lost her, but feel fortunate that her films are here to help us remember and enjoy her for a long time to come.
    posted 624 days ago
  • smith44
    One of my most favourite actresses, especially for her roles in The King And I and An Affair To Remember. God bless you Deborah Kerr rest in peace.
    posted 764 days ago
  • hollistercali800
    She was a great actress and will be missed :(
    posted 764 days ago
  • MargeChampionfan51
    Rest In Peace Deborah, you will be missed tremendously.
    posted 764 days ago

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Deborah Kerr Trivia

  • In which film do Cary Grant & Deborah Kerr meet on the top of the Empire State Building?  Answer »
  • In what movie does Deborah Kerr say "Winter must be cold for those with no warm memories...We've already missed the Spring."  Answer »
  • In the King & I(1956), what particular girl does Deborah Kerr try to help in the movie?  Answer »
  • Who portrayed Anna in The King And I ?  Answer »

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