Gene Tierney

Gene Tierney (November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was an American actress. Acclaimed as one of the great beauties of her day, she is probably best-remembered for her performance in the title role of Laura in the 1940s.

Early years

She was born Gene Eliza Tierney in Brooklyn, New York, the daughter of Howard Sherwood Tierney and Belle Lavina Taylor. Her elder brother was Howard Sherwood "Butch" Tierney, Jr., and her younger sister was Patricia "Pat" Tierney. Her father was a prosperous insurance broker; her mother a former gym teacher.

Related Topics:
Brooklyn - New York - Insurance broker - Gym - Teacher

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Gene attended St. Margaret School, Waterbury, Connecticut, and Unquowa School, Bridgeport. Among her studies, she learned horseback riding. Her first poem, titled Night, was published in the school magazine. Writing verse became an occasional pastime during the rest of her life. She then spent two years in Europe and attended the finishing school Brillantmont in Lausanne, Switzerland, where she learned to speak perfect French.

Related Topics:
Waterbury, Connecticut - Bridgeport - Horseback riding - Verse - Europe - Finishing school - Lausanne - Switzerland - French

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She returned to the U.S. in 1938 and attended Farmington School. On a trip to the West Coast, she visited Warner Bros. and was told by Anatole Litvak she should become an actress. Her coming out party as a debutante was September 24, but she soon found she was bored with society life and decided to pursue a career in acting. Warners wanted to sign her to a contract, but her parents advised against it because of the low salary offered.

Related Topics:
1938 - West Coast - Warner Bros. - Anatole Litvak - Debutante - September 24

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