Ellen Miriam Hopkins was born in Bainbridge, Georgia on October 18, 1902. She was born into wealth and was able to attend the finest educational institutions such as Goddard Seminary in Plainfield, Vermont and Syracuse University in New York State.
She received her first taste of show business when she studied dance in New York and became a chorus girl when she was twenty. She continued to appear in local musicals before she began expanding her horizons by trying out dramatic roles four years later.
In 1928, Miriam was appearing in stock companies on the East Coast. Her critic reviews were getting better after having been vilified a couple of years earlier.
In 1930, Miriam decided to try her hand on the silver screen by signing with Paramount Studios and won a role in FAST AND LOOSE. She was already established on Broadway and Paramount felt they were getting a seasoned performer after the rave reviews she had received on Broadway. The role, where Miriam played a rebellious girl, was a good start, particularly since this was her debut in films.
After appearing in 24 HOURS in 1931, where she is killed by her husband, Miriam played Princess Anna in THE SMILING LIEUTENANT opposite Maurice Chevalier. Still considered a newcomer, Miriam displayed a talent that had all the earmarks of stardom. She was to finish out the year by playing Ivy Pearson in DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE.
Miriam began 1932 by filming WORLD AND THE FLESH which was not exactly a box-office blockbuster. Later, she appeared in DANCERS IN THE DARK with George Raft. The film was unexpectedly strong and enjoyable which served as a catalyst to propel Miriam and Raft to super stardom.
In TWO KINDS OF WOMEN directed by William de Mille, Miriam once again performed magnificently. Later that year she played Lily Vautier in the sophisticated comedy TROUBLE IN PARADISE. A film that should have been nominated for an Academy Award, it has lasted through the years as a masterpiece in comedy. Even today film buffs and historians rave about it.
Miriam's brilliant performance in 1933's DESIGN FOR LIVING propelled her to the top of Paramount's salary scale. Later that year Miriam played the title role in THE STORY OF TEMPLE DRAKE which Paramount was forced to tone down because of its violence and the character being raped. It was passed by the Hays Office and despite it being watered down, was still a box-office smash.
In 1934, Miriam filmed ALL OF ME which was less than well-received at the ticket counters in theaters in the country.
By 1938, the country was abuzz as to who would play Scarlett O'Hara in Margaret Mitchell's GONE WITH THE WIND, which was to begin filming the following year. Miriam wanted the coveted spot, especially when, she herself, was a Southern accented native of Georgia. Unfortunately for Miriam, as we all know, she didn't win the role. As a matter of fact, the only movie she appeared in in 1939 was THE OLD MAID.
By this time the roles were only trickling in for her. With the slowdown in film work, Miriam found herself returning to the stage. She made two films in 1940, none in 1941, and one in 1942 and 1943, respectively. The stage was her work and career now.
However in 1949, she received the role of Lavinia Penniman in THE HEIRESS. Miriam made three films in all of the 1950's, but she was making appearances in television programs during this time. In 1968, Miriam made her final big screen showing in SAVAGE INTRUDER.
Nine days before her birthday, on October 9, 1972,
Miriam died of a heart attack in New York City. She was 69.
Check out these photos of Miriam Hopkins.
Miriam Pic 1
Miriam Pic 2
Miriam Pic 3
Miriam Pic 4
Miriam Pic 5
Miriam Pic 6
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© 1998 Denny C. Jackson dejackso@iglou.com
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