Born in London, England. Strikingly beautiful, quintessential movie star of the 1950s and 60s whose on-screen talent has often been overshadowed by her much-publicized personal life. Within three years after arriving in the US, Taylor was cast as the young heroine opposite Roddy McDowall in LASSIE COME HOME (1943), which led to a longterm contract with MGM. Before reaching her late teens, she had physically outgrown juvenile parts and was playing young adults. FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1950) and the much-lauded A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951) firmly established her as a major adult star, and over the next decade she developed into one of the most glamorous and highly paid movie performers in the world. Married numerous times (including twice to her most prominent leading man, Richard Burton, and once each to crooner Eddie Fisher, actor Michael Wilding and producer Michael Todd), Taylor's off-screen persona undoubtedly contributed to her popularity, but somewhat limited her critical reputation. She was nominated three times before winning the first of her two Oscars®, for BUTTERFIELD 8 (1960), as a disillusioned, high-class call girl. Taylor has been particularly adept throughout her career at playing somewhat neurotic beauties and in several ideal roles (CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, 1958, WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, 1966) has given full expression to her immense, untrained and unbridled talent. Taylor has continued to perform in semi-retirement from acting, appearing in occasional TV and movie roles while functioning as a successful entrepreneur (with her own line of perfume and cosmetics) and as one of the leading celebrity activists in the promotion of AIDS awareness and cure research. She is well-known in the Hollywood community for the depth and commitment in her friendships with such past and present stars as Montgomery Clift, Roddy McDowall and Michael Jackson. Along with actress Julie Andrews, she was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II on New Year's Eve, 1999.  Nominated for Actress 1957: RAINTREE COUNTY  Nominated for Actress 1958: CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF  Nominated for Actress 1959: SUDDENLY, LAST SUMMER  Actress 1960: BUTTERFIELD 8  Actress 1966: WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?  Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award 1992: For her work in the fight against AIDS. 5 nominations, 2 Awards, 1 Honorary Award