Classic Movie Star Joan Fontaine Passes Away at 96

Joan Fontaine, the only actor to have ever won an Oscar for a starring role in a Hitchcock film, passed away from natural causes on December 15, 2013 at the age of 96. Over her six decade acting career Fontaine earned four Oscars nominations, winning for Hitchcock’s Suspicion, and she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
 
Fontaine was born Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland on October 22, 1917 in Japan. She changed her name to Fontaine to avoid being confused with her older sister, Gone with the Wind actress Olivia de Havilland. The sisters had a turbulent relationship for most of their lives, publicly admitting they could not stand one another and going decades without speaking or being seen together. Fontaine was married four times and had one daughter (Deborah) with her second husband, William Dozier.
 
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Joan Fontaine at this difficult time.