Trivia of Linda Darnell

Trivia of Linda Darnell (16 October 1923 - 10 April 1965)

*She never attended her high school graduation or university. Instead, young Darnell worked on stage to support her family.Darnell was already a veteran stage actor by the age of 13.In age 15, she debuted in Hollywood movie, Hotel for Women (1939) that was a huge success.

*Darnell might have been a studio actress at 15, but many producers still considered her too young for the sultry parts she auditioned for. To combat this, Darnell initially claimed she was actually 17, and her studio bumped her up another two years and publicized her as a full-grown 19 year old.Her boss, studio executive Darryl F. Zanuck, who cast her in her first film. She didn't realize until much later that Zanuck harbored an unhealthy obsession for her. In truth, he was a total creep and pursued Darnell even though he knew she was underage.

*Was good friend with Lana Turner.She acted as a witness at Lana Turner's wedding to Stephen Crane.

*She filmed with Tyrone Power in 4 films : Blood and Sand (1941), The Mark of Zorro (1940) , Day Time Wife (1939), and Brigham Young (1940).

*In 1947, she worked with her ex- husband Peverell Marley in movie Forever Amber (1947).That movie was one of the most expensive movies of the '40s, costing over $6.5 million.Darnell took the role of Amber very seriously. To prepare, she underwent strict dieting and voice training to learn to speak with an English accent. She also had to change her signature Latin image and dark hair because Amber was an English redhead.During filming, she became very sick as a result of the heavy dieting and overexertion of her body. She also fainted twice on set. Even worse, the film’s reception was very disappointing, which left Darnell crushed.

*Died in a fire of unknown origin while visiting friends. While sleeping upstairs and awakened by smoke, she tried to exit through the downstairs door but was trapped. Badly burned over 90% of her body she died the following day in the hospital.

*Tuptim, her character in Anna and the King of Siam (1946), was executed by being burned at the stake. In real life, Linda died at age 42 from burns received in a house fire.