Joan Fontaine Biography

Joan Fontaine was an Academy Award winning British American actress famous for movies like ‘Rebecca’ and ‘Suspicion.’ Beginning her career on the stage in the mid-1930s, she soon ventured into films and emerged as one of the superstars of the 1940s. Born in Japan to British parents, she moved to California with her mother after her parents split up. After completing her education she ventured into acting, following in the footsteps of her elder sister Olivia de Havilland who eventually became a prominent Hollywood celebrity. Joan began her acting career on the stage in 1935 and the same year she decided to venture into motion pictures. She initially received only minor roles in films, but over a period of time succeeded in clinching more substantial roles. A chance meeting with producer David O. Selznick changed her fortunes and she was offered the role in the upcoming psychological thriller-mystery film ‘Rebecca.’ The resounding success of the film made her a popular face in American cinema and she went on to become one of the most famous actresses of her era. When she won the Academy Award for Best Actress for Hitchcock's ‘Suspicion,’ she became the only actor ever to win an Academy Award in a film directed by Hitchcock. The long-term sibling rivalry between Fontaine and her equally famous sister Olivia was well known in Hollywood.