No one in Hollywood portrayed the part of a sweet, innocent ingénue quite like Olivia de Havilland. As the last surviving principal cast member from “Gone with the Wind” (1939), in which she played the part of Melanie Hamilton Wilkes, a compassionate woman who, unlike its famous heroine, truly exuded goodness in the film, de Havilland was assured cinematic immortality on that role alone. It was a performance that earned her an Academy Award nomination for a supporting role and jumpstarted many more acting accolades, including two Oscars – for “To Each His Own” in 1947 and “The Heiress” in
Moved to California with her mother and sister after parent's divorce
1933
Appeared in local production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" while a freshman in college; seen by director Max Reinhardt and hired for his stage and screen versions of the play
1934
Professional stage acting debut as Hermia in Max Reinhardt's production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the Hollywood Bowl, replacing Gloria Stuart
1935
Film acting debut in "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
1935
Signed by Warner Bros. to a seven-year contract (date approximate)
