Best known for her Oscar-winning performance in 1963’s Hud and Mrs. Failenson in my favorite film of all time, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Patricia Neal’s life had the makings of success and tragedy that were often times even more dramatic than the roles she played on-screen.
Patricia emerged onto the Hollywood scene in her early 20’s on Broadway, winning a Tony award for her debut in Another Part of the Forest before moving to Hollywood. The actress began a 3 year affair at age 23 with Gary Cooper, her married co-star in The Fountainhead and Bright Leaf, which ultimately ended badly after his wife discovered their relationship.
Neal married children’s writer Roald Dahl, and their 30-year marriage resulted in 5 children. However, their oldest child, Olivia, died from the measles at age 7. Their son, Theo, suffered severe injuries after being hit by a taxi when he was just 4 months old.
In 1965, Patricia suffered a series of strokes, but learned to walk and talk again, returning to work despite having problems with her memory. She snagged another Oscar nomination for 1968’s The Subject was Roses.
Patricia passed away on Sunday at her home in Edgartown, Massachusetts.
R.I.P.
