Actress Norma Shearer: biography, personal life, filmography

Norma Shearer is an American actress who created many bright images in the cinema. Do you want to know where she was born and trained? How was her career and personal life developing? The article contains all the necessary information about it.

Norm Shearer: biography, family

She was born in 1902 (August 10) in the Canadian city of Montreal. In what kind of family was the future Hollywood star brought up? Her father, Andrew Shearer, had a successful business in construction. And her mother, Edith, was not an exemplary mistress. She often left home, cheated on her husband and indulged in drugs. At the same time Edith was an incredibly beautiful and interesting woman.

Mother wanted her daughter to study at a music school, became an outstanding pianist. Indeed, it could achieve unprecedented heights in this direction. The girl had an ideal hearing and a good sense of rhythm. But Norma had another dream - to become an actress. Upon learning of this, her mother laughed. She openly announced to the girl that she did not have the right appearance. The actress should be beautiful. Norma Shearer knew about her shortcomings: a full figure, short legs, broad shoulders and a few oblique eyes. But she wanted to believe in a miracle.

Hard times

To prove her worth, the 14-year-old Norma went to a local beauty contest. At that time she managed to lose weight, pick up a suitable make-up and so on. As a result, the girl was recognized as the winner of the contest. It would seem that her way to achieve the goal begins with a joyful event. But fate has prepared many heroines for our heroine.

In 1918, the company owned by her father was ruined. There was another unpleasant situation - the older sister Norma suddenly became aggravated mental illness. The family had to sell the house in one of the best areas of Montreal and move to the poor suburbs. All these difficulties were not broken, but, on the contrary, strengthened the character of the girl. She set herself the goal: to become rich and famous.

Mother of our heroine decided to divorce her husband-loser. The woman took with her daughters and moved to a cheap boarding house. A few months later, her mother sold the piano Norma. On the proceeds, Edith purchased three tickets to New York. She believed that in the big city her youngest daughter could succeed.

The 17-year-old Norma wanted to get into the Siegfred show. With her, she had a recommendation written by one of the owners of the theatrical troupe in Montreal. But Forens did not even read it. He looked at Normu appraisingly and grinned. Siegfried said that full of girls with slanted eyes in his troupe does not belong.

The younger representative of the family Shearer was not going to give up. One day she learned that Universal Pictures wanted seven attractive girls. Our heroine, along with her sister went to the samples. As a result, she managed to stand out among the crowd and get a job.

Norm Shearer: movies with her participation

When was the persistent and purposeful girl first appeared on the screens? This happened in 1920. Shearer received the episodic role of a dancer in the film "The Way to the East." Her name and surname were not even indicated in the credits. But the young actress did not upset at all. After all, she received invaluable work experience in the frame.

The first prominent role Norma Shearer received in 1921. The painting was called "The Thieves". Created by her image fell in favor of the audience. Thanks to the filming in this tape, the actress noticed the producer Hal Roach. In 1923 he contacted her and offered a job in Hollywood. A young girl could not miss such a chance.

Career in Hollywood and a fateful meeting

In the spring of 1923, Norma and her mother came to Los Angeles. Our heroine signed a contract with Mayer Company. Soon she was presented with the vice-president of the company Irving Thalberg. It was he who secured her promotion in the world of cinema. If in 1925 for a week of shooting Shearer received $ 1000, then by 1930, the size of her fee grew 5 times.

At first, Norma and Irving Thalberg were connected by working and friendly relations. But after a while they realized that they have deep feelings for each other. In September 1927, lovers played a wedding. Shortly before this Norma adopted Judaism. She wanted to have everything in common with her husband, even religion.

In 1930, the couple first became parents. Their son appeared in the light. The boy was named after his father - Irving. In 1935 in the family of Thalberg and Shearer, another replenishment occurred. They had a charming daughter, Katherine.

A loss

Norma's husband had weak eyesight since childhood. Our heroine tried to help him, she guided her doctors. However, the results did not. In 1936, Irving fell ill with bilateral pneumonia. The disease gave a complication to the heart. September 14, 1936, Thalberg left this world. The famous actress became a widow.

In the image of the Empress

"Marie Antoinette" is a film that was released in 1938. The main female role went to Norma. And she was 100% cope with the tasks assigned to her.

Norma Shearer (Marie Antoinette) Looked dazzling in lush outfits adorned with precious stones. To create a high hairstyle for hairdressers took several hours. But the result is worth it.

Realistic scenery, luxurious costumes, incredible hairstyles, good cast - all this was prepared for the filming of the painting "Marie Antoinette". The film was watched by millions of people. By popularity, he even overtook the band Gone with the Wind.

Achievements

During her career, our heroine played dozens of roles. Below are listed her most vivid and memorable works in cinema:

• Butleggers (1922) - Helen Barnes.
• "Divorce" (1930) - Jerry Bernard Martin.
• "Free Soul" (1931) - Gian Ashe.
• "Romeo and Juliet" (1936) - the main female role.
• "Women" (1939) - Mary Hines.
• "Her cardboard lover" (1942) - Consuelo Croyden.

In 1930, she received an Oscar. The professional jury recognized her as a winner in the category "Best Actress" (for her role in the film "Divorce").

Norma Shearer is an actress, awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. And this is the best reward for her efforts and love of art.

Completion of career

In 1942, Norma announced her retirement from the big cinema. Not the least role in this played its "eternal" rival - Joan Crawford. She spread dirty rumors about the actress. For example, Crawford considered her mediocre. Ostensibly she became a star only thanks to the efforts of her husband. Norma tired of constant discussions about her appearance, career and personal life.

After Tulberg's death, the actress could not find a new father for her children. At different times, she was credited with novels with Howard Hughes, Mickey Rooney and James Stewart. It is possible that the author of these rumors was the same Joan Crawford. But in 1942, the famous actress married a second time. Her chosen one was the ski instructor Martin Arroud. The norm was not embarrassed by the fact that he was 12 years younger. Envious and ill-wishers predicted this marriage is an early collapse. However, the couple lived together for a long time. Few people know that until her death, the actress called her second husband Irving. And he did not take offense at this.

Norms Shearrer did not become June 12, 1983. She died of a complicated form of pneumonia. She was 80 years old. The last orphanage of the great artist found in the city of Glendale (California). She was buried in a mausoleum with her beloved husband, Irving Talberg. She asked her relatives about this several days before her death.

Finally

Today we remembered another bright and talented actress. Norma Shearer made his contribution to the development of world cinematographic art. She lived a long and eventful life. Fans referred to her as "Queen Norma" and "First Lady MGM".