Gene Tierney (November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was a pinup during World War II. She was an Irish-American actress who was considered one of the most beautiful women in movie history. Her career began in the 1940s when she was signed to 20th-Century Fox at the age of 19. Tierney was best known for her portrayal of the title character in the film Laura (1944), and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Ellen Berent Harland in Leave Her to Heaven (1945).
Tierney’s high-society background and ladylike composure were often featured in her publicity. However, Fox struggled to find a place for her in their films, casting her in a variety of roles. She was considered too sultry for comedy and too refined to be seen as low-born. Fox sometimes cast her in racially ambiguous roles, darkening her skin or elongating her eyes with makeup to give her an “exotic” look.
Tierney took time to entertain the troops at the Hollywood Canteen. From 1942-45, three million service personnel on leave – men and women, black and white – would pass through the doors of that converted barn to rub elbows with the stars. On any given night, Bob Hope might be on the stage cracking jokes while Rita Hayworth made sandwiches, Harry James played trumpet, or Hedy Lamarr danced with the soldiers.
During the war years, Gene Tierney was at the height of her popularity. Her image graced countless magazine covers. Her beauty was extraordinary then. Her presence on screen was fresh and captivating. She had expressive green eyes, high cheekbones, lustrous, dark hair, and a sensual full mouth that revealed, when parted, an unexpected yet terribly endearing overbite.
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