My full name is Deborah Jane Kerr-Trimmer. I was born in Helensburgh, Scotland on September 30, 1921 to Captain Arthur Charles "Jack" and Colleen Trimmer.
My younger brother, Edmund (78), was murdered in a road rage incident in August 2004.
My father died when I was 15.
I was a shy, insecure child. While in school I loved singing, dancing, painting, and playing piano. I began my training as a ballet dancer, but soon realized that my 5'6" frame was not ideal. So I began to concentrate on acting. I first performed at the Open Air Theatre in Regents, London.
In November of 1945, I married Squadrom Leader Anthony Bartley. Together we have 2 beautiful daughters, Melanie Jane and Francesca Ann.
In November 1946, I headed to Hollywood. Louis B. Mayer and the MGM staff welcomed me warmly. My first film was "The Hucksters". They billed me as Deborah Kerr -- rhymes with "star".
Anthony and I separated in 1958 and divorced in 1959.
On July 23, 1960 I married film writer, Peter Viertel. We were married in Klosters, Switzerland and made our home there.I decided to quit the movie business in 1968. I was apalled by the explicit sex and violence seeping into Hollywood. However, I did continue to work in the teater and appeared in television films.
In 1986 I retired from acting all together.
I now suffer from Parkinson's Disease and live with Peter in Switzerland.
My Best Actress Oscar Nominations:
1949 - Edward, My Son
1953 - From Here to Eternity
1956 - The King and I
1957 - Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison
1958 - Separate Tables
1960 - The Sundowners
Having never actually won the award, I tied with Thelma Ritter for the distinction of receiving the most nominations for a female actor for an acting Oscar, without actually winning. For the record books only, it should be noted that my nominations were all for Best Actress, while Ritter's nominations were all for Best-Supporting Actress.
Awards:
BAFTA Special Award in 1991
Honorary Oscar in 1994 -- presented by Glen Close in recognition of the "perfection, discipline and elegance" of my screen work.
CBE (Commander of the order of the British Empire) in 1997/8 New Years Honours List
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