This new biography draws on a series of unpublished interviews and offers a startling and intitmate portrait of one of the most glamourous icons of the 20th century.In just seven years (from 1950 through 1956), Grace Kelly made eleven feature films. They established her as one of the screen's iconic beauties, and as a performer of rare intelligence and wit.
Donald Spoto, a personal friend of Kelly’s in whom she confided, is in a unique position to tell the story of her transformation from convent girl from Philadelphia to last star of Hollywood’s Golden Age to European princess. In this revelatory biography, Spoto draws on interviews with those who knew her – from James Stewart and Cary Grant to Fred Zimmerman – as well as a series of taped interviews with Kelly which have never before been published.
Author Biography
Donald Spoto was born near New York City in 1941 and received his PhD degree from Fordham University in 1970. He is the author of 22 books, including bestselling biographies of Alfred Hitchcock, Tennessee Williams, Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Ingrid Bergman, Audrey Hepburn and Alan Bates.
Reviews
...an intimate portrait of one of the world’s most famous women. A fine tribute to a true star,Spoto tells her story movingly and well,Spoto was a close friend of Kelly's, so this is as definitive a biography as we will ever get,Drawing on previously unpublished conversations, Spoto explores how Kelly changed Hollywood,Kelly’s life as told here reveals a gentler Donald Spoto than we’re used to: his friendship with the star has ensured a generosity of judgement throughout…Some may yearn for a less sympathetic portrait, but it’s hard to imagine that any subsequent biography could do such consummate justice to her life and career,Spoto turns a fresh eye on the well-known story bringing it alive for a new generation of readers
