3/23/2011

RIP Elizabeth Taylor

Elizabeth Taylor in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
USA Today reports the death of Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor at age 79. Full details have not emerged, but the source attributes recent heart problems as a likely cause of death. Taylor was among the top stars of the 1950's and 60's, offering dynamic and memorable performances in films like A Place in the Sun, Suddenly Last Summer and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - the latter film, in which Taylor co-starred with Paul Newman, remains as provocative as it was in 1958, largely thanks to Taylor's sexually charged performance as Maggie "the Cat." Taylor retained her status as a top star, despite working considerably less in recent years. Taylor won two Academy Awards for Best Actress - first in 1960 for Butterfield 8 and again for 1966's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? co-starring with Richard Burton. Taylor's performance as Martha in Who's Afraid of Viriginia Woolf? is not only her greatest work, but,  in my books, one of the best screen performances of all time.