Being an outgoing little girl playing pretend, my earliest memory of wanting to be an actress came from my grandmother's house, watching My Fair Lady. Audrey Hepburn was a vision in that ascot dress and hat. Her voice, her style, and her character blew me away. But It wasn't until a year ago that I learned more about her as a person beyond her Hollywood star persona. I consider Audrey Hepburn an inspiration to me not only as an artist but as a person. She had a traumatic childhood. When she was young her father abandoned her and her family. She lived in the Netherlands at the time of the German Invasion during World War II. The Nazi's limited the Dutch's supplies to survive, especially the food, which caused a winter famine. Audrey developed serious health issues, suffering from malnutrition. The impact of these times would shape her life and values. .
Audrey had the reputation of being a humble, kind and charming person, who lived the philosophy of putting others before herself. In her career, she did have some troubles and controversies being in the public eye as many stars do. She was a pleasure to work with. For an example, she was very open with sharing the spotlight with fellow actors and making it clear that there is room for everyone and their talent in the industry. She originally denied the role of Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and told the director to give it to Julie Andrews. What I also love about her, is that she was never afraid to share her ideas for her character and or a scene while on set, which is why many of her leading men she starred beside, basically begged to work with her again. Apart from her career as an actress, she always felt that her true calling was helping those in the world, currently living with the same hardships she went through when she was a child. From from the early 50's up until to her death, she was a global ambassador for UNICEF. .
I have a quote on the wall in my room that Audrey once said, saying, "I was born with an enormous need for affection and a terrible need to give it.