# Joan Fontaine

> British actress (1917–2013)

**Wikidata**: [Q95076](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q95076)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Fontaine)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/joan-fontaine

## Summary
Joan Fontaine was a British-born actress who achieved international fame in the United States, becoming the first person to win an Academy Award for Best Actress for a performance in a film directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Active from 1935 to 1994, she is best known for her dramatic roles in cinema and television, earning a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Born Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland, she was a human and a prominent figure in the entertainment industry during the 20th century.

## Biography
- **Born**: 1917 (specific date and place not provided in source material)
- **Nationality**: British (also associated with the United States)
- **Education**: Not specified in source material
- **Known for**: Acting in dramatic and comic productions across film, television, theatre, and radio; winning the Academy Award for Best Actress
- **Employer(s)**: Warner Bros. Entertainment
- **Field(s)**: Acting, Writing, Interior Design, Television Acting

## Contributions
Joan Fontaine's primary contributions lie in the field of performance arts, specifically acting in dramatic and comic productions. She worked extensively in film, television, theatre, and radio, establishing a career that spanned nearly six decades from 1935 to 1994. While the source material does not list specific film titles or scripts she authored, her work as a "writer" indicates she used written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works. Additionally, she contributed to the design industry as an interior designer, planning, researching, coordinating, and managing interior decoration projects for rooms and buildings. Her professional output was recognized by major institutions, including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

## FAQs
**What was Joan Fontaine's professional background and nationality?**
Joan Fontaine was a British actress who later became associated with the United States, where she built a significant career in entertainment. She was a human being who worked as an actor in film, television, theatre, and radio, and also practiced as a writer and interior designer.

**Which major organizations was Joan Fontaine affiliated with?**
She was professionally affiliated with Warner Bros. Entertainment, a major American entertainment company founded in 1923. Her career also intersected with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which presented her with an award, and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which honored her with a star.

**What awards and recognitions did Joan Fontaine receive?**
Fontaine received the Academy Award for Best Actress, a prestigious honor presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She was also awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in California, recognizing her contributions to the entertainment industry.

**How long was Joan Fontaine's career in the entertainment industry?**
Her professional work period began in 1935 and concluded in 1994, spanning a total of 59 years. During this time, she worked across multiple mediums including film, television, theatre, and radio.

## Why They Matter
Joan Fontaine matters as a pioneering figure in 20th-century acting who successfully transitioned from British origins to become a celebrated star in the American film industry. Her receipt of the Academy Award for Best Actress highlights her exceptional talent and influence on the standards of dramatic performance in cinema. By working across diverse fields such as writing and interior design, she demonstrated the versatility required of artists in the entertainment sector. Her long career, lasting from the mid-1930s to the mid-1990s, provided a continuous presence in media that influenced generations of actors and designers. Without her contributions, the landscape of film and television acting during her era would lack the specific artistic achievements and recognition she garnered.

## Notable For
- Winning the Academy Award for Best Actress, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
- Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California, United States.
- Being a British actress who worked extensively in the United States.
- Having a career that spanned from 1935 to 1994.
- Working as an actor in film, television, theatre, and radio.
- Serving as a writer who produced literary works.
- Practicing as an interior designer who managed decoration projects.
- Being affiliated with Warner Bros. Entertainment.
- Using the alias Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland.

## Body

### Early Life and Identity
Joan Fontaine was a human being born in 1917 and passed away in 2013. She was originally a British national, though her career and life were deeply connected to the United States. Her full name at birth or an alias used during her life was Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland. As a member of the species *Homo sapiens*, she lived through significant historical periods, including the inception of the United Kingdom in 1927 and the United States in 1776 and 1784.

### Professional Career and Fields
Fontaine's professional life was multifaceted, encompassing several distinct fields. She was primarily an actor, defined as a person who acts in dramatic or comic productions. Her work extended across film, television, theatre, and radio, showcasing her versatility as a performer. In addition to acting, she worked as a writer, utilizing written words to communicate ideas and produce literary works. She also practiced as an interior designer, a role that involved planning, researching, coordinating, and managing projects for the interior decoration of rooms and buildings. Her career as a television actor specifically highlighted her presence in the medium of television.

### Employment and Affiliations
A significant portion of her professional life was spent in affiliation with Warner Bros. Entertainment. This American entertainment company was founded on April 4, 1923, and operates within the industries of entertainment and media. Fontaine's association with such a major entity underscores her prominence in the industry. Her work period officially started in 1935 and ended in 1994, indicating a long-standing commitment to her craft.

### Awards and Recognition
Joan Fontaine's contributions were formally recognized by two major entities. First, she received the Academy Award for Best Actress. This award is presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and has been in existence since 1929. Second, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This award is located in Hollywood, California, United States, and serves as a permanent tribute to her achievements. These accolades confirm her status as a leading figure in her field.

### Legacy and Impact
The legacy of Joan Fontaine is defined by her longevity and the breadth of her talents. She maintained a career for nearly six decades, adapting to changes in the entertainment industry from the 1930s through the 1990s. Her work as an actor, writer, and interior designer illustrates a diverse skill set that influenced various aspects of cultural production. The specific mention of her aliases and the detailed records of her work period ensure that her history is preserved accurately. Her life serves as a testament to the enduring nature of artistic contribution in film, television, and design.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. BnF authorities
3. Source
4. The Peerage
5. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1942)
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Joan Fontaine. Integrated Authority File
8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
9. SNAC
10. Internet Broadway Database
11. Find a Grave
12. Discogs
13. filmportal.de
14. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
15. GeneaStar
16. Roglo
17. Proleksis Encyclopedia
18. Munzinger Personen
19. [Legendary Actress Joan Fontaine Dies at 96](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/actress-joan-fontaine-dies-rebecca-suspicion-665831)
20. Fontaine, Joan (22 October 1917–15 December 2013)
21. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
22. Virtual International Authority File
23. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1944)
24. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12506457t)
25. CONOR.SI
26. BBC Things
27. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
28. [Joan Fontaine MBTI Personality Type: ISFP or ISFJ?](https://www.personality-database.com/profile/166809/joan-fontaine-people-of-classic-hollywood-mbti-personality-type)
29. The Movie Database