Biography
Titian haired Greer Garson was one of the most popular actress during the 1940s. Unlike most young actresses beginning their careers in Hollywood, Garson was already in her mid-thirties when she made her first film. Her elegant and intelligent demeanor struck a cord with the movie going public and her popularity soared at MGM. She possessed a beautiful speaking voice and her refined acting style earned her six Academy Award nominations. She also appeared in five films that earned Best Picture nominations.
She was born Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson on September 29, 1904 in London although she always claimed that she was born in Ireland in 1908. Her father died during an appendectomy when Greer was only two. Greer's mother, Nina (who was from Scotland) provided a living for them by managing townhouses that her husband had owned. Greer was a sickly child, suffering from bronchitis, and spent most of her winters in bed. She was not one to be idle with discouragement, however, and she passed the time by reading and studying. Summers were spent at her grandparent's home in Ireland and it was there in the green countryside that her imagination flourished.
She did not have any clear-cut career goals but her mother felt that her future lay in academia due to Greer's intelligence and book sense. She entered the University of London in 1921 and spent five years there, earning a Bachelor's degree in 1926. It was at the university that she discovered the theater and a passion for acting. Following graduation, she worked in a research library for an advertising agency and participated in local theater productions whenever she could.
In 1931, Greer was accepted at the Birmingham Repertory Company and she quit her job at the ad agency. She performed in small roles in a variety of productions for two years before a long bout with pneumonia forced the company to terminate her contract.
While recuperating, Greer was courted by a childhood friend, Alec Snelson, who eventually proposed to her. She accepted due to the advice from family and friends although deep down inside she knew that she did not love him. The marriage proved to be disastrous. Snelson took Greer on a honeymoon trip to Germany where she learned that he was a jealous and extremely possessive man. Snelson traveled on to India where he would work, but Greer, who was ill again, stayed with her mother in London. It would be a year before she saw Snelson again and they would never spend any more time together. He refused a divorce and it would be years later, when Greer was pursuing a successful career in Hollywood, before the divorce would be final.
Greer returned to acting when her health improved. She eventually landed a role in a play with Laurence Olivier called "The Golden Arrow" and it proved to be her breakthrough. She was suddenly very popular throughout London and play offers poured in. She acted in a variety of plays, ranging from Shakespeare to costume dramas, but none of them were huge hits. In 1937, while performing in a play called Old Music, she was noticed by MGM mogul Louis B. Mayer, would was in London seeking new talent. Greer was actually not that interested in a film career because she felt that she did not photograph well. However, the lure of money and a nice climate for her mother, convinced her to change her mind. In September of 1937, she signed a seven year contract with MGM.
She was born Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson on September 29, 1904 in London although she always claimed that she was born in Ireland in 1908. Her father died during an appendectomy when Greer was only two. Greer's mother, Nina (who was from Scotland) provided a living for them by managing townhouses that her husband had owned. Greer was a sickly child, suffering from bronchitis, and spent most of her winters in bed. She was not one to be idle with discouragement, however, and she passed the time by reading and studying. Summers were spent at her grandparent's home in Ireland and it was there in the green countryside that her imagination flourished.
She did not have any clear-cut career goals but her mother felt that her future lay in academia due to Greer's intelligence and book sense. She entered the University of London in 1921 and spent five years there, earning a Bachelor's degree in 1926. It was at the university that she discovered the theater and a passion for acting. Following graduation, she worked in a research library for an advertising agency and participated in local theater productions whenever she could.
In 1931, Greer was accepted at the Birmingham Repertory Company and she quit her job at the ad agency. She performed in small roles in a variety of productions for two years before a long bout with pneumonia forced the company to terminate her contract.
While recuperating, Greer was courted by a childhood friend, Alec Snelson, who eventually proposed to her. She accepted due to the advice from family and friends although deep down inside she knew that she did not love him. The marriage proved to be disastrous. Snelson took Greer on a honeymoon trip to Germany where she learned that he was a jealous and extremely possessive man. Snelson traveled on to India where he would work, but Greer, who was ill again, stayed with her mother in London. It would be a year before she saw Snelson again and they would never spend any more time together. He refused a divorce and it would be years later, when Greer was pursuing a successful career in Hollywood, before the divorce would be final.
Greer returned to acting when her health improved. She eventually landed a role in a play with Laurence Olivier called "The Golden Arrow" and it proved to be her breakthrough. She was suddenly very popular throughout London and play offers poured in. She acted in a variety of plays, ranging from Shakespeare to costume dramas, but none of them were huge hits. In 1937, while performing in a play called Old Music, she was noticed by MGM mogul Louis B. Mayer, would was in London seeking new talent. Greer was actually not that interested in a film career because she felt that she did not photograph well. However, the lure of money and a nice climate for her mother, convinced her to change her mind. In September of 1937, she signed a seven year contract with MGM.
Hollywood
with Robert Donat in "Goodbye Mr. Chips"
Greer Garson's first year in Hollywood was a major disappointment for her. She was hoping to begin work right away but soon found that she had much time on her hands. Louis B. Mayer did not have any projects readily available for her and secretly he was unsure of how to cast her. Another major deterrent was Greer's refusal to play supporting roles. She felt that she had been shipped over from England to play starring roles and she was adamant that she did so. She was finally given the leading role in the film Dramatic School but a horse riding accident hurt her spinal column which had already been damaged in a diving accident as a child. Luise Rainer got the part and Greer found herself idle once again.
Accolades continued during the coming months and not many people were surprised when Greer Garson was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. It was a high honor especially considering that her part was really a supporting role. Robert Donat won the Best Actor award but Greer lost to Vivien Leigh for Gone With The Wind.
Louis B. Mayer knew he had a star and she was arriving at a great time. Both of MGM's most prestigious actresses, Greta Garbo and Norma Shearer were retiring. Greer was next cast in a fluffy comedy called Remember? while Mayer searched for quality roles for his new leading lady.
Accolades continued during the coming months and not many people were surprised when Greer Garson was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. It was a high honor especially considering that her part was really a supporting role. Robert Donat won the Best Actor award but Greer lost to Vivien Leigh for Gone With The Wind.
Louis B. Mayer knew he had a star and she was arriving at a great time. Both of MGM's most prestigious actresses, Greta Garbo and Norma Shearer were retiring. Greer was next cast in a fluffy comedy called Remember? while Mayer searched for quality roles for his new leading lady.
As Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice
Pride and Prejudice proved to be just that with Greer cast as Elizabeth Bennet and Laurence Olivier as Darcy. She was ideally cast despite being 36 and playing a 20 year old girl and the film did very well at the box office. Greer was next cast in Blossoms In The Dust which was based on the life of Edna Gladney, who founded an orphanage in Fort Worth, Texas. It was filmed in Technicolor and audiences had their first chance to see Greer's flaming red hair. Walter Pidgeon was cast opposite her and their pairing would be repeated numerous times in the future. Blossoms would garner Greer her second Oscar nomination.
The public loved Greer Garson and part of her success was due to good timing. World War II was spreading throughout the world and the unease felt by many was lifted by the persona of this beautiful woman who projected solace in her acting and friendliness in her off screen personality. No role would enhance this quality more than Mrs. Miniver. her sixth film at MGM.
Producer Sidney Franklin had wanted to make Mrs. Miniver for several years. It was based on the book by Jan Struthers and dealt with a typical English family and how their lives are affected by the war. Greer was not very enthusiastic about the role mainly because Kay Miniver had a college age son but Franklin and Mayer insisted that only she could play the part. Walter Pidgeon was cast as Mr. Miniver and the cast also included Teresa Wright, Dame May Whitty, Reginald Owen, and twenty three year old Richard Ney who played Vin, the older son.
The public loved Greer Garson and part of her success was due to good timing. World War II was spreading throughout the world and the unease felt by many was lifted by the persona of this beautiful woman who projected solace in her acting and friendliness in her off screen personality. No role would enhance this quality more than Mrs. Miniver. her sixth film at MGM.
Producer Sidney Franklin had wanted to make Mrs. Miniver for several years. It was based on the book by Jan Struthers and dealt with a typical English family and how their lives are affected by the war. Greer was not very enthusiastic about the role mainly because Kay Miniver had a college age son but Franklin and Mayer insisted that only she could play the part. Walter Pidgeon was cast as Mr. Miniver and the cast also included Teresa Wright, Dame May Whitty, Reginald Owen, and twenty three year old Richard Ney who played Vin, the older son.
with Walter Pidgeon in Mrs. Miniver
Mrs. Miniver was released in the summer of 1942 and caused a sensation. It broke box office records across the country and Greer Garson was universally praised for her performance. President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill lauded the film as an excellent morale booster and urged the public to see it. It would receive 12 Academy Award nominations and would win Best Picture, Actress (Garson), Supporting Actress (Wright), Director (William Wyler), Screenplay, and Cinematography. Greer Garson's 5 1/2 minute Academy Award acceptance speech became legend and was talked and joked about for years to come.
with husband Richard Ney
Greer's personal life made headlines when she began to date Richard Ney, the actor who played her son in Mrs. Miniver. She was fifteen years his senior and the press had a field day with the story. MGM studio executives were worried that their liaison would hurt the box office performance of Mrs. Miniver (it didn't). They were married in the summer of 1943.
She was now considered MGM's most valuable property and her films were given first rate status. Random Harvest, based on the novel by James Hilton, was Greer's next film and she would always refer to it as her favorite. A romance, it co-starred Ronald Colman, Greer's favorite actor as a child. Colman was a bit long in the tooth to play the leading romantic hero but his performance was outstanding and he would receive an Oscar nomination for it. Greer was excited about the opportunity to portray a contemporary woman and she even got a chance to do a song and dance number and show off her fabulous legs!
She longed to do comedy but the MGM execs felt that she belonged in serious dramas. Madame Curie was next up. The story of Marie and Pierre Curie's discovery of radium was given serious treatment by MGM and wound up garnering seven Oscar nominations (including Greer's fourth for Best Actress, but she would be beat by Jennifer Jones for The Song of Bernadette).
She was now considered MGM's most valuable property and her films were given first rate status. Random Harvest, based on the novel by James Hilton, was Greer's next film and she would always refer to it as her favorite. A romance, it co-starred Ronald Colman, Greer's favorite actor as a child. Colman was a bit long in the tooth to play the leading romantic hero but his performance was outstanding and he would receive an Oscar nomination for it. Greer was excited about the opportunity to portray a contemporary woman and she even got a chance to do a song and dance number and show off her fabulous legs!
She longed to do comedy but the MGM execs felt that she belonged in serious dramas. Madame Curie was next up. The story of Marie and Pierre Curie's discovery of radium was given serious treatment by MGM and wound up garnering seven Oscar nominations (including Greer's fourth for Best Actress, but she would be beat by Jennifer Jones for The Song of Bernadette).
with Gregory Peck in "The Valley of Decision"
Two more heavy duty dramas followed, Mrs. Parkington and The Valley of Decision, both which gave Greer her fifth and sixth Oscar nominations, respectively. But even critics were complaining that Greer was being used over and over again in the same type of films. The mid forties brought the war to a close and it would also signify changes, not necessarily good, for Greer Garson's career.
From her arrival in Hollywood in 1939 until 1945, Greer Garson was one of the most famous women in the world. She received Academy Award nominations every year except for 1941 for a total of six. Thousands of fan letters flooded her mailbox each week. Her image could be found in magazines, coloring books, paper dolls, puzzles, and numerous novelty items. In December of 1944, she appeared on the cover of TIME magazine.
But in 1946, a turn of events sent her star on a downward spiral. The war ended and the public's taste and the studio system in Hollywood began to change. Louis B. Mayer would leave MGM in a few years and Dore Schary would take his place. The elaborate expense once lavished on prestigious MGM films would be curtailed and more attention would be given to films dealing with realism and social issues. "Women's films", the type of movies that Greer Garson excelled in, would no longer be a top priority. Eventually, the arrival of television in the late 40's and early 50's would change the studio system forever.
In 1946, Greer was teamed with Clark Gable, who had just returned from the war, for Adventure. The catchy tag line proclaimed "Gable's back and Garson's got him!". The film did well at the box office, but it did not fare well with critics.
Also returning from the war was Greer's husband, Richard Ney. Ney returned to the studio but soon the combination of a highly famous actress struggling with bad luck at the studio and an aspiring actor trying to gain a foothold in his profession took a toll on their marriage. Ney did not deal well with Greer's success and furthermore, he did not enjoy sharing their home with the most important person in Greer's life, her mother. They separated and were divorced in September of 1946.
Greer's next film at MGM was a disaster. Desire Me was plagued by a bad script and tensions among the cast (director George Cukor and actor Robert Mitchum did not get along well). The escalating budget caused Cukor to be fired and the film was eventually directed by three other directors. In the end, no one wanted their name attached to it, and the film was released with no director credited!
In 1946, Greer was teamed with Clark Gable, who had just returned from the war, for Adventure. The catchy tag line proclaimed "Gable's back and Garson's got him!". The film did well at the box office, but it did not fare well with critics.
Also returning from the war was Greer's husband, Richard Ney. Ney returned to the studio but soon the combination of a highly famous actress struggling with bad luck at the studio and an aspiring actor trying to gain a foothold in his profession took a toll on their marriage. Ney did not deal well with Greer's success and furthermore, he did not enjoy sharing their home with the most important person in Greer's life, her mother. They separated and were divorced in September of 1946.
Greer's next film at MGM was a disaster. Desire Me was plagued by a bad script and tensions among the cast (director George Cukor and actor Robert Mitchum did not get along well). The escalating budget caused Cukor to be fired and the film was eventually directed by three other directors. In the end, no one wanted their name attached to it, and the film was released with no director credited!
with third husband Buddy Fogelson
Julia Misbehaves finally gave Greer the opportunity to appear in a comedy. playing a vaudeville actress mother who plays matchmaker to her daughter. The film was a hit and helped critics and fans forget about Desire Me.
During the filming of Julia Misbehaves, Greer was introduced to a man who would change her life forever. He was a Texas millionaire named Elijah "Buddy" Fogelson. Fogelson, who made his fortune in oil and cattle, owned a spectacular ranch in New Mexico called Forked Lightening Ranch and also maintained a residence in Dallas, Texas. Greer and Buddy became constant companions and soon fell in love. On July 15, 1949, following the completion of That Forsythe Woman, they were married in Santa Fe.
As Buddy Fogelson entered Greer's life, her priorities began to change and acting was not as important to her anymore except for projects that she really cared for. Her latest film, The Miniver Story, a remake of Mrs. Miniver, did poorly at the box office and reviews were bad. Greer turned her attention away from Hollywood as she soon fell in love with New Mexico. Surprisingly, ranch life suited her well, and she became interested in all aspects of cattle ranching and even bought her own steers and entered them into competitions.
She continued to work steadily in Hollywood throughout the 1950's, however, with the exception of Julius Caesar (1953), none of them were of the magnitude of her earlier films. She returned to the stage in late 1957 in the triumphant Auntie Mame and earned rave reviews.
Although Greer maintained her residence in Hollywood, her fondness for Santa Fe was strong. In late 1958, her beloved mother passed away. Nina Garson had been Greer's greatest ray of support throughout her life and career and she was always by her side. They always lived together and Greer even got Nina supporting roles in several of her films. Her death was a great loss to Greer.
During the filming of Julia Misbehaves, Greer was introduced to a man who would change her life forever. He was a Texas millionaire named Elijah "Buddy" Fogelson. Fogelson, who made his fortune in oil and cattle, owned a spectacular ranch in New Mexico called Forked Lightening Ranch and also maintained a residence in Dallas, Texas. Greer and Buddy became constant companions and soon fell in love. On July 15, 1949, following the completion of That Forsythe Woman, they were married in Santa Fe.
As Buddy Fogelson entered Greer's life, her priorities began to change and acting was not as important to her anymore except for projects that she really cared for. Her latest film, The Miniver Story, a remake of Mrs. Miniver, did poorly at the box office and reviews were bad. Greer turned her attention away from Hollywood as she soon fell in love with New Mexico. Surprisingly, ranch life suited her well, and she became interested in all aspects of cattle ranching and even bought her own steers and entered them into competitions.
She continued to work steadily in Hollywood throughout the 1950's, however, with the exception of Julius Caesar (1953), none of them were of the magnitude of her earlier films. She returned to the stage in late 1957 in the triumphant Auntie Mame and earned rave reviews.
Although Greer maintained her residence in Hollywood, her fondness for Santa Fe was strong. In late 1958, her beloved mother passed away. Nina Garson had been Greer's greatest ray of support throughout her life and career and she was always by her side. They always lived together and Greer even got Nina supporting roles in several of her films. Her death was a great loss to Greer.
with Ralph Bellamy in "Sunrise at Campobello"
Greer scored a great triumph in 1960 when she was offered the role of Eleanor Roosevelt in the film Sunrise at Campobello. The film, starring Ralph Bellamy as Franklin Roosevelt, dealt with his crisis with polio. Greer became a great friend to Eleanor Roosevelt and engrossed herself in researching her life. Her performance would earn her a seventh Academy Award nomination.
Greer would act in two more significant roles in the 1960's - The Singing Nun and The Happiest Millionaire. She also did lots of television work. The bulk of her time, however, would be spent in Santa Fe where she immersed herself in charity work. Buddy and Greer's generous contributions to the College of Santa Fe would be rewarded by the dedication of the Greer Garson Theatre in 1965, and later, the E.E. Fogelson Library. An honorary doctorate would also be bestowed to Greer, an award that she would cherish.
In 1975, Greer appeared at the Greer Garson Theatre in The Madwoman of Challiot. It would be her final stage performance. She continued to do television work, appearing in the tele-film Little Women and on the popular series The Love Boat.
Buddy Fogelson was diagnosed with Parkingson's disease in 1982 and his health steadily deteriorated throughout the 1980's. Greer declined all engagements to be by his side. He died on December 1, 1987 in Dallas, Texas, where they were now living. Greer's health was also quite delicate (she had suffered a minor stroke in 1980) and her doctor recommended that the altitude of Santa Fe would be bad for her heart.
Greer would act in two more significant roles in the 1960's - The Singing Nun and The Happiest Millionaire. She also did lots of television work. The bulk of her time, however, would be spent in Santa Fe where she immersed herself in charity work. Buddy and Greer's generous contributions to the College of Santa Fe would be rewarded by the dedication of the Greer Garson Theatre in 1965, and later, the E.E. Fogelson Library. An honorary doctorate would also be bestowed to Greer, an award that she would cherish.
In 1975, Greer appeared at the Greer Garson Theatre in The Madwoman of Challiot. It would be her final stage performance. She continued to do television work, appearing in the tele-film Little Women and on the popular series The Love Boat.
Buddy Fogelson was diagnosed with Parkingson's disease in 1982 and his health steadily deteriorated throughout the 1980's. Greer declined all engagements to be by his side. He died on December 1, 1987 in Dallas, Texas, where they were now living. Greer's health was also quite delicate (she had suffered a minor stroke in 1980) and her doctor recommended that the altitude of Santa Fe would be bad for her heart.
Following Buddy's death, Greer continued to administer the Fogleson fortune to various charities in Texas and New Mexico, notably The College of Santa Fe and Buddy's alma mater, the Southern Methodist University in Dallas. A second Greer Garson Theatre was unveiled at SMU in 1992 but sadly, Greer was unable to attend the dedication ceremony due to her frail health.
In 1992, Greer moved into a suite at the Dallas Presbyterian Hospital where her health could be monitored continually. She continued to see friends and family but her heart was very fragile. She died on April 6, 1996.
In 1992, Greer moved into a suite at the Dallas Presbyterian Hospital where her health could be monitored continually. She continued to see friends and family but her heart was very fragile. She died on April 6, 1996.
