Gene Tierney

During World War II, Gene gave birth to a mentally retarded, hearing- and sight-impaired daughter, conditions which resulted from the German measles that Tierney had contracted early in the pregnancy. Some years later, the actress met a young woman who was a former marine and had met Tierney during a World War II appearance. She told the actress that she was such a great fan that, even though the women's camp was under strict quarantine for German measles, she had sneaked out of camp to meet and shake hands with Gene. Agatha Christie used this for the basis of her 1962 Miss Marple book The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side.

Gene was discovered by director Anatole Litvak. He arranged a screen test but her father would not let her accept a movie contract.

Gene was the guest of honor at the Ineternational Film Festival of San Sebastian Spain, in 1986.

Gene was offered a role in Return To Peyton Place (1961) but turned it down due to her pregnancy then, which ended in a miscarriage.

Gene met Clark Gable in 1953, and he fell in love with her, only she wasn't interested and turned him away.

Gene had two daughters, Daria, born on October 15, 1943, and Christine, born on November 19, 1948. Gene contracted German measles in June 1943 while carrying Daria and Daria was born deaf and mute, requiring blood transfusions, and diagnosed as mentally retarded. Howard Hughes provided the funds to care for her.

Gene's hobbies included painting and writing poetry.

Gene's birth was incorrectly reported as the day after her actual birth by the New York Times.

Gene was described as "unquestionably the most beautiful woman in movie history" by 20th Century Fox founder Darryl F. Zanuck.

Gene appeared in magazine ads for Westmore Cosmetics in 1952.

Gene appeared twice on the cover of Life Magazine; on November 10, 1941, and September 24, 1951.

Gene co-starred in 3 films with Tyrone Power, including: Son of Fury: The Story of Benjamin Blake (1942) The Razor's Edge (1946) That Wonderful Urge (1948)

Gene was offered the lead role in MGM Studios' National Velvet (1944) but because the production on it was delayed, she instead signed on with Fox and the part went to newcomer Elizabeth Taylor.

Gene was married twice, to Oleg Cassini from June 1, 1941 to February 28, 1952 and to William Howard Lee, from July 11, 1960 until his death on February 17, 1981.

Gene has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6125 Hollywood Boulevard.

Gene had an affair with John F. Kennedy in 1946 but Kennedy broke it off, due to his political aspirations.

Gene was nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for Leave Her To Heaven (1945).

Gene published her autobiography, "Self-Portrait," in 1979.

Gene appeared in magazine ads for Royal Crown Cola in 1945.

Gene took up smoking after her first film, The Return Of Frank James (1940), because she believed her voice sounded "like a frightened Minnie Mouse." She was told it would deepen her voice, which it did, but eventually wound up killing her.

Gene's measurements: 35B-25-36 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

Gene was 5 feet 7 inches tall.