Joan Fontaine gained international prominence in 1940 as the unnamed protagonist in Alfred Hitchcock’s adaptation of Rebecca. Her career spanned five decades, featuring roles in over 45 films. As a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the United States, she remains the only actor to receive an Academy Award for a performance in a film directed by Hitchcock.
Early Life and Education
Born in Tokyo in 1917 to English parents Walter and Lilian de Havilland, Fontaine moved to California as a child following her parents' separation. She struggled with health issues, including anaemia, but eventually recovered. Her formal education included time at the American School in Japan, the International School of the Sacred Heart, and Los Gatos High School.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Career Foundations
Fontaine debuted on stage in the 1935 West Coast production of Call It a Day. Her early film career began at RKO Pictures with a small role in Quality Street. While she appeared in various productions such as The Man Who Found Himself and Gunga Din, her breakthrough occurred after securing the lead in Rebecca, followed by an Academy Award-winning performance in Suspicion (1941).
Professional Evolution
Throughout the 1940s, Fontaine appeared in dramas including The Constant Nymph and Jane Eyre. She later co-produced films like You Gotta Stay Happy through Rampart Productions. By the 1950s, she transitioned toward stage, television, and radio work. Her final film appearance occurred in The Witches in 1966, though she continued acting until 1994.
Legacy and Recognition
Beyond her screen work, Fontaine authored the 1978 autobiography No Bed of Roses and pursued interior design. She was recognized for her contributions to cinema with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Fontaine died in 2013 at her home in Carmel-by-the-Sea at the age of 96.
Fast facts
- Born: 1917, Tokyo
- Died: 2013, Carmel-by-the-Sea
- Academy Award for Best Actress: 1942
- Citizenship: United States and United Kingdom
- Final film role: The Witches (1966)
- Autobiography: No Bed of Roses (1978)
- Education: American School in Japan; Los Gatos High School
Questions readers ask
Did Joan Fontaine win an Academy Award?
Yes, she won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1942 for her role in the film Suspicion.
Was Joan Fontaine related to other actors?
Yes, she was the younger sister of actress Olivia de Havilland.
Achievements
- Academy Award for Best Actress — 1942
- Affiliated with Warner Bros. Entertainment
- Educated at American School in Japan, Los Gatos High School and International School of the Sacred Heart
- Worked as actor, writer and television actor
