Lilian Fontaine

Lilian Augusta Fontaine (née Ruse, formerly de Havilland; 11 June 1886 – 20 February 1975) was an English actress and mother of Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine.

Lilian Fontaine
Lilian Fontaine with her daughters, Joan and Olivia, c.1922
Born
Lilian Augusta Ruse

(1886-06-11)11 June 1886
Died20 February 1975(1975-02-20) (aged 88)
Alma materRoyal Academy of Dramatic Art
OccupationActress
Spouses
(m. 1914; div. 1925)
    George Milan-Fontaine
    (m. 1925; died 1956)
    ChildrenOlivia de Havilland
    Joan Fontaine

    Early years

    Fontaine was born in Reading, Berkshire. She received a scholarship from Reading College at age 13 for her musical talent and studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.[1]

    Personal life

    After a stage career Fontaine married the British patent attorney Walter de Havilland (1872–1968). Her first daughter, Olivia, was born in 1916, followed by her second daughter, Joan, in 1917. Fontaine decided to end the marriage in 1919 after several years of marital strain and eventual separation; the divorce was not finalised, however, until February 1925.[2]

    In 1922, the family moved to California, hoping that the climate there would improve the health of the daughters, who suffered "recurring ailments".[3] De Havilland soon returned to Japan, while his wife and daughters stayed in Saratoga, California, until 1933.[3]

    In April 1925, she married the department store manager George M. Fontaine. They were married until his death in 1956. She lived with her two daughters in Saratoga, California, and encouraged them to pursue acting careers.

    de Havilland family tree
    Alice Jeannette (née Saunders)
    1854–1911
    Rev. Charles de Havilland
    1854-1920
    Walter de Havilland
    1872-1968
    Lilian Fontaine (Ruse)
    1886-1975
    Ivon Molesworth Charles Jordan de Havilland
    1879-1905
    Louise Thomas
    -1949
    Captain Sir Geoffrey de Havilland
    1882-1965
    Joan Mary Frith
    1900-1974
    Hereward de Havilland
    1894-1976
    Marcus Goodrich
    1897-1991
    Olivia Mary de Havilland
    1916-2020
    Pierre Galante
    -1998
    Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland
    1917-2013
    William McElroy Dozier
    1908-1991
    Peter Jason de Havilland
    1913-1977
    Geoffrey de Havilland Jr.
    1910-1946
    John de Havilland
    1918-1943
    Benjamin Goodrich
    1949-1991
    Gisèle Galante
    1956-
    Deborah Leslie
    1949-


    Career

    Fontaine coached drama students when she lived in Saratoga, California, and she produced plays in a garden theatre that later was named for her.[4]

    After both of her daughters reached film stardom, Fontaine returned to acting with a notable role in Billy Wilder's drama The Lost Weekend (1945) as the mother of Jane Wyman's character. She also played supporting roles in two films with her daughter Joan, Ivy (1947) and The Bigamist (1953) and made a few television appearances during the 1950s.

    From 1948 to 1958, Fontaine taught an acting class that developed into the Los Gatos Theatre workshop.[5]

    Death

    Fontaine died on 20 February 1975 of cancer aged 88.[6]

    Legacy

    The Lilian Fontaine Garden Theatre in Saratoga, California, was named in honour of the actress,[4] and that city's Fontaine Drive was also named in her honour.[3]

    Filmography

    Year Title Role Notes
    1945The Lost WeekendMrs. St. James
    1946The LocketLady Wyndham
    1947Suddenly, It's SpringMary's Mother
    1947Time Out of MindAunt Melinda
    1947The Imperfect LadyMrs. Gunner
    1947IvyLady Flora
    1953The BigamistMiss Higgins, Landlady
    1954WaterfrontHelen MartinTV series, 1 episode
    1955Studio 57Anita WilcoxTV series, 1 episode
    1955Schlitz Playhouse of StarsTV series, 1 episode
    1956Passport to DangerTV series, 1 episode
    1957Hawkeye and the Last of the MohicansMarianTV series, 1 episode

    References

    1. UPI (22 February 1975). "Lilian Fontaine, Actress, Dies". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
    2. Bubbeo, Daniel (2002). The Women of Warner Brothers: The Lives and Careers of 15 Leading Ladies, with Filmographies for Each. McFarland & Company. p. 55. ISBN 978-0-7864-1137-5. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
    3. "Joan Fontaine had fond memories of growing up in Saratoga". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
    4. Scheinin, Richard (13 August 2016). "Actress Joan Fontaine is funding refurbishment of Montalvo's Garden Theatre". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on 2 June 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
    5. "Actress Lilian Fontaine, 88". Tampa Bay Times. Florida, St. Petersburg. 23 February 1975. p. 21–B. Retrieved 2 June 2018 via Newspapers.com. open access
    6. Amburn, Ellis (September 2018). Olivia de Havilland and the Golden Age of Hollywood. Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press. p. 299. ISBN 978-1-49303-409-3.
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