Susan Hayward
Actor
About Susan Hayward
Susan Hayward was one of Hollywood's most intense and powerful dramatic actresses of the 1940s and 1950s, known for her passionate performances and ability to portray complex, suffering women. Born Edythe Marrenner in Brooklyn, New York, she began her career as a model before being discovered by a talent scout and signed by Warner Bros. in 1937. After several minor roles, she gained critical attention with her performance in 'Smash-Up, The Story of a Woman' (1947), which earned her first Academy Award nomination. Hayward became known for playing strong-willed, often tormented characters in films like 'My Foolish Heart' (1949), 'With a Song in My Heart' (1952), and 'I Want to Live!' (1958), for which she finally won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Her career spanned over three decades, with more than 60 film and television appearances, establishing her as one of the most respected dramatic actresses of her generation. Despite battling health issues later in life, she continued working until shortly before her death from brain cancer in 1975.
The Craft
On Screen
Known for her intense, emotionally charged performances and method approach to acting. Hayward specialized in playing strong, often suffering women with remarkable psychological depth and authenticity. Her style was characterized by raw emotional power, fierce determination, and a willingness to physically transform herself for roles, often losing weight or altering her appearance to better embody her characters' struggles.
Milestones
- First major critical success in 'Smash-Up, The Story of a Woman' (1947)
- Five Academy Award nominations for Best Actress
- Academy Award win for 'I Want to Live!' (1958)
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award for 'I Want to Live!' (1958)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Won
- Academy Award for Best Actress - I Want to Live! (1958)
- Cannes Film Festival Best Actress - I Want to Live! (1958)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - I'll Cry Tomorrow (1956)
- Golden Globe Award for Best Actress - I Want to Live! (1959)
- New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress - I Want to Live! (1958)
Nominated
- Academy Award nomination for Best Actress - Smash-Up, The Story of a Woman (1947)
- Academy Award nomination for Best Actress - My Foolish Heart (1949)
- Academy Award nomination for Best Actress - With a Song in My Heart (1952)
- Academy Award nomination for Best Actress - I'll Cry Tomorrow (1956)
- Academy Award nomination for Best Actress - The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1953 ceremony for 1952 films)
Special Recognition
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (6251 Hollywood Blvd)
- Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award (1972)
- Inducted into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Susan Hayward represented the archetype of the suffering but resilient woman in post-war American cinema, embodying the emotional complexity and psychological depth that audiences craved in the 1940s and 1950s. Her performances challenged traditional gender roles by presenting women who were both vulnerable and fiercely independent, often fighting against societal constraints and personal demons. Her portrayal of real-life figures like Barbara Graham in 'I Want to Live!' brought attention to issues of capital punishment and women's rights, while her method approach to acting influenced a generation of performers.
Lasting Legacy
Susan Hayward's legacy endures as one of Hollywood's most powerful dramatic actresses, remembered for her fearless performances and dedication to her craft. She paved the way for actresses to take on complex, psychologically challenging roles and demonstrated that women could carry films as dramatic leads. Her five Academy Award nominations set a standard for excellence, and her Oscar win for 'I Want to Live!' remains one of the most deserved in Hollywood history. Today, she is studied by film scholars and acting students for her technical skill and emotional authenticity.
Who They Inspired
Hayward influenced numerous actresses who followed, including Meryl Streep, who has cited Hayward's intensity as inspiration. Her method approach to acting predated the more famous male method actors of her era, showing that women could also embrace this technique. Her willingness to transform physically for roles influenced later actresses like Christian Bale and Charlize Theron. The strong-willed characters she portrayed helped create a template for complex female protagonists that continues in cinema today.
Off Screen
Susan Hayward was married twice and had two sons. Her personal life was marked by both success and tragedy, including the death of her twin sons in a car accident in 1971. She was known for her strong personality and determination, traits that often mirrored the characters she portrayed on screen. Hayward converted to Catholicism later in life and found solace in her faith during her battle with brain cancer.
Education
Attended Public School 181 in Brooklyn, graduated from Girls' Commercial High School in Brooklyn. Briefly attended a secretarial school before pursuing modeling and acting.
Family
- Jess Barker (1944-1954)
- Floyd Eaton Chalkley (1957-1966, until his death)
Did You Know?
- Was discovered while working as a model for the 1937 World's Fair in New York
- Changed her name from Edythe Marrenner to Susan Hayward based on a suggestion from a talent scout
- Lost 30 pounds to play Barbara Graham in 'I Want to Live!'
- Was a close friend of fellow actress Bette Davis
- Turned down the lead role in 'The African Queen' (1951)
- Was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood by the late 1950s
- Her performance in 'I Want to Live!' was filmed in sequence to maintain emotional continuity
- Was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying
- Her twin sons were named after characters in 'A Tale of Two Cities'
- Was offered the role of Blanche DuBois in 'A Streetcar Named Desire' but turned it down
In Their Own Words
I was never a glamour girl. I was always a character actress.
I don't want to be a star. I want to be an actress.
The only thing I ever wanted to be was a good actress.
I've played so many women who were destroyed, and I think I understand them.
Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Susan Hayward?
Susan Hayward was a highly acclaimed American actress known for her intense dramatic performances in films of the 1940s and 1950s. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for 'I Want to Live!' (1958) and was nominated five times for the award.
What films is Susan Hayward best known for?
Hayward is best known for 'I Want to Live!' (1958), 'Smash-Up, The Story of a Woman' (1947), 'With a Song in My Heart' (1952), 'My Foolish Heart' (1949), 'The Snows of Kilimanjaro' (1952), and 'I'll Cry Tomorrow' (1955).
When was Susan Hayward born and when did she die?
Susan Hayward was born June 30, 1917, in Brooklyn, New York, and died March 14, 1975, in Los Angeles, California, at age 57 from brain cancer.
What awards did Susan Hayward win?
She won the Academy Award for Best Actress for 'I Want to Live!' (1958), the Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Award for the same film, and two Golden Globe Awards. She received five Oscar nominations throughout her career.
What was Susan Hayward's acting style?
Hayward was known for her intense, emotionally charged performances and method approach to acting. She specialized in playing strong, often suffering women with remarkable psychological depth and authenticity, often physically transforming herself for roles.
Was Susan Hayward related to the silent era?
No, Susan Hayward was not from the silent era. She began her career in the late 1930s and was most prominent during Hollywood's Golden Age in the 1940s and 1950s, making her a sound-era actress.
Did Susan Hayward have children?
Yes, she had twin sons with her first husband Jess Barker, Gregory and Michael, who tragically died in a car accident in 1971. She also adopted a son, Timothy, with her second husband Floyd Chalkley.
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Films
1 film
