Anna May was interested in the film industry at a very young age. She acted in silent films and early talking films. An atypical figure by American and European standards, she became a fashion icon and achieved stardom and international recognition in 1924. However, frustrated with the stereotypes relegated to her supporting characters, she left the Hollywood industry for Europe in the end of the 1920s.
Already in Europe, she starred in her first major role, in the 1929 film “Piccadilly”, a fact that guaranteed her return to Hollywood. However, this return left her extremely disappointed and discouraged, because in 1935, the actress revolted with the directors of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer who did not give her the lead role in the film “The Good Earth”. The protagonist of the plot turned out to be the actress Luise Rainer, who used makeup to look Asian. Anna May signed a contract with Paramount Pictures, but nothing has changed, she continues to act in small roles of Asian characters.
Finally in 1951, Anna May Wong competed for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, but lost the statuette to the American actress Celeste Holm (1917-2012). Once again disappointed, Anna went to live in Germany, becoming an inseparable friend of filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl (1902-2003). His friendships with several women, including famous actresses Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992) and Cecil Cunningham (1888-1959), sparked rumors that Anna May was a lesbian, which damaged her public image. This alleged relationship with Marlene Dietrich so embarrassed her family that they broke off relations with Anna. By the way, being an actress for the Chinese, at the time, was not considered a respectable profession.
Anna May Wong has a star on the Los Angeles Walk of Fame at 1708 Vine Street, in the Film category.
Anna was scheduled to act in the film “Flower Drum Song”, but on February 3, 1961, she had a massive heart attack in her sleep, at her home in Santa Monica, two days before filming began. Born January 3, 1905, in Los Angeles, California, United States, she was cremated exactly one month after her 56th birthday and her ashes were interred next to her mother's grave at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Anna May Wong died unmarried, but it was never clear if she was actually a lesbian.
Theodosia,
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I don't remember much about this actress.
What I see here is that gender intolerance has always happened in the world, which is to be regretted.
Kisses!!!
Conocía algo d e ella pero no mucho. Genial entrada. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteConocía algo de ella pero no mucho. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeleteMi primera noticia, sus películas no las he visto ni había leído antes sobre ella. Pero bien por ella. Un abrazo
ReplyDeleteOh so, tragic. However, she is a pioneer of her time and paved away for many to come. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeletehola
ReplyDeleteno conocía demasiado de esta actriz, a ver si veo alguna peli de ella
Besotessssssssssss
No conocía esta actriz pero creo que dejarla en un segundo plano en papeles incluso que coincida con sus rasgos étnicos no lo veo normal.
ReplyDeleteEn cuanto la discriminación por gustos sexuales no estoy de acuerdo.
Saludos.
Interesante la vida artística de Anna May, debió sufrir bastante para ser aceptada. Muestra su valentía y determinación. Muy bueno, amiga.
ReplyDeleteMi gratitud y mi abrazo por tu visita a mi blog.
nao conheço mas deve ser uma boa artista obrigada pela partilha bjs saude
ReplyDeletePerfectamente documentado. Gracias por compartirlo. 👏👏👏👏
ReplyDeleteVery Interesting!
ReplyDeleteBjxxx
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