Cecil Beaton was born on January 14, 1904 in London, England as Cecil Walter Hardy Beaton. He is known for his work on My Fair Lady (1964), Gigi (1958) and Anna Karenina (1948). He died on January 18, 1980 in Broadchalke, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
Costume Designer, Art Department, Camera Department
Education
Harrow School, St John's College, Cambridge
Nationality
British
Parents
Etty Sissons, Ernest Walter Hardy Beaton
Siblings
Nancy Beaton, Barbara Beaton, Reginald Beaton
Awards
Academy Award for Best Costume Design, Academy Award for Best Production Design, Tony Award for Best Costume Design
Nominations
Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical, Tony Award for Best Scenic Design in a Musical
Star Sign
Capricorn
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Trademark
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High-pocketed Savile Row suits
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Wide-brimmed bolero hats
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Quote
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[on Marilyn Monroe] She had rocketed from obscurity to become our post-war sex symbol, the pin-up girl of an age. And whatever press agentry of manufactured illusion may have lit the fuse, it is her own weird genius that has sustained her flight. Transfigured by the garish marvel of Technicolor cinemascope, she walks like an undulating basilisk, scorching everything in her path. Like Giraudoux's 'Ondine', she is only fifteen years old, and she will never die.
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[on mini-skirts] Never in the history of fashion has so little material been raised so high to reveal so much that needs to be covered so badly.
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[on Katharine Hepburn] She has a face that belongs to the sea and the wind, with large rocking-horse nostrils and teeth that you just know bite an apple every day.
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A musical version of Pygmalion? Oh dear, I guess it will just be another "Chocolate Sholdier.
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Fact
1
Claimed that Greta Garbo was the only woman he had ever loved romantically.
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His father, Walter Beaton, was a timber importer.
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Renowned society photographer, educated at Harrow and St. John's College, Cambridge, though he left there without a degree in 1925. Took up photography as a hobby, while working as a clerk for his father. Eventually rose to become, for over three decades, the favorite photographer of the Royal Family. He also photographed more than 1,000 stars and luminaries of screen, stage and literature. Moreoever, he painted, wrote books and was a noted set and costume designer for theatre, ballet and opera from 1930. He even designed hotel lobbies and clubs, including the Raffles. Beaton later moved into film work, creating lavish designs for major period productions, such as "Anna Karenina", "Gigi" and "My Fair Lady".
He was awarded a Tony in 1957 for his costume designs for 'My Fair Lady.'.
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He was awarded a Tony in 1955 for his costume designs for 'Quadrille.'.
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He won four Tony Awards as Best Costume Designer: in 1955 for "Quadrille;" in 1957 for "My Fair Lady," a nomination shared with "Little Glass Clock;" in 1960 for "Saratoga;" and in 1970 for "Coco." He also received two other nominations: in 1960 as Best Scenic Designer (Musical) for "Sarartoga;" and in 1961 as Best Costume Designer (Musical) for "Tenderloin.".
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He was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire in the 1972 Queen's Honours List for his services to drama.
Costume Designer
Title
Year
Status
Character
My Fair Lady
1964
costumes
The Doctor's Dilemma
1958
Gigi
1958
costumes design by
The Truth About Women
1957
Dandy Dick
1948
TV Movie
Anna Karenina
1948
costumes designed by
An Ideal Husband
1947
Beware of Pity
1946
On Approval
1944
The Young Mr. Pitt
1942
Suicide Squadron
1941
gowns designed by
The Remarkable Mr. Kipps
1941
costumes designed by
Major Barbara
1941
costumes
Art Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
My Fair Lady
1964
scenery designer
Gigi
1958
scenery designer
Camera Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Love, Marilyn
2012
Documentary still photographer
American Masters
2006
TV Series documentary still photographer - 1 episode
$950,000
