Miriam Hopkins

Miriam Hopkins
Hopkins in the 1930s
Born
Ellen Miriam Hopkins

(1902-10-18)October 18, 1902
DiedOctober 9, 1972(1972-10-09) (aged 69)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1921–1970
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
  • Brandon Peters (1926–1927)
  • Austin Parker (1928–1931)
  • Anatole Litvak (1937–1939)
  • Raymond B. Brock (1945–1951)
Children1

Ellen Miriam Hopkins (October 18, 1902 – October 9, 1972) was an American actress known for her versatility.[1] She signed with Paramount Pictures in 1930.

She portrayed a pickpocket in Ernst Lubitsch's romantic comedy Trouble in Paradise, a bar singer Ivy in Rouben Mamoulian's Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and the titular character in the controversial drama The Story of Temple Drake. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress for the 1935 film Becky Sharp, becoming the first performer nominated for a color picture. She was nominated for a Golden Globe for The Heiress. She co-starred with Joel McCrea in five films.

Her long-running feud with actress Bette Davis was publicized for effect. Hopkins later became a pioneer of TV drama. She was considered a distinguished hostess in Hollywood and moved in intellectual and creative circles.

  1. ^ Obituary Variety, October 11, 1972, p. 71.