Grace Patricia Kelly was born on November 12, 1929, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her family owned a brick-laying company, and gained wealth from it. They were also rumored to be very competitive in sports and other activities, especially her father, Jack. But Grace didn't participate much in these competitions, and turned her attention to acting. She had small roles in television shows after her graduation from high school in 1947, especially certain "playhouse" shows. These included "Goodyear Television Playhouse", and several appearances on "The Philco Television Playhouse". She also made her Broadway debut in 1949. But in 1951, Hollywood beckoned. Grace had a small part in a movie called "Fourteen Hours". Although the part was small, the movie was successful. Plus it also starred some of Hollywood's biggest stars including Paul Douglas, Agnes Moorehead, Howard Da Silva, and Barbara Bel Geddes. This gave Grace some publicity, which helped her to land the role that would make her a star:
In 1952, Grace starred as Amy Kane in "High Noon". This classic western also starred Gary Cooper, Thomas Mitchell, Harry Morgan, and Lloyd Bridges. Amy Kane plays the Quaker wife of Will Kane (Cooper), the newly retired sheriff. But their honeymoon plans are interrupted when Frank Miller, an outlaw, returns to the small town to take revenge on Will for putting him in prison. Although the townspeople are frightened, they refuse to help Will fight Miller. Plus, Amy is unsupportive, because she's became a Quaker after her family was shot to death, and doesn't believe in violence and fighting. But, she does help Will when his life is in danger, even though she is putting herself at risk. This is a wonderful movie, that won Cooper his second Best Actor Oscar. And although Grace was unhappy with her work in "High Noon", she got great reviews.
In 1953, Grace starred with Clark Gable and Ava Gardner in "Mogambo". The story, which is a remake of Gable's 1932 classic "Red Dust" takes place in the sultry jungles of Africa. Rumors of an affair between Gable and Grace made the public flock to see the picture, and it was another smash hit for the 23 year old. Grace also received a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination for her role as Linda Nordley. Grace Kelly was becoming one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
1954 became Grace's busiest, and most successful year. First, she starred with James Stewart in the Alfred Hitchcock classic, "Rear Window". Grace played socialite Lisa Freemont, who tries to win love, and a wedding ring, from photographer L.B. Jefferies (Stewart).
Jeff and Lisa
L.B. Jefferies
"Bad Guy" Lars Thorwald (Raymond Burr)
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