Screen legend and iconic actress Elizabeth Taylor has died in Los Angeles. She was 79.
The Oscar winning actress passed this morning in Los Angles from congestive heart failure, reports the New York Times.
The London-born Taylor began as a child star and enjoyed a six-decade career in Hollywood. Taylor appeared in more than 60 films and is best known for roles in films such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Suddenly Last Summer, Giant, Cleopatra, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Butterfield 8. Taylor won the Best Actress Oscar for the latter two films.
But in the last generation she reinvented herself as a humanitarian and a tireless fighter in the battle against HIV/AIDS. That work gained her a special Academy Award in 1993.
Taylor became the "very first American public figure" to speak out against HIV/AIDS in the dark days of the 1980s. "The Hollywood star founded the American Foundation for Aids Research (Amfar) following the death of her close friend Rock Hudson in 1985," reports the Independent. "Taylor immediately set up the charity and worked tirelessly for the cause. 'I am on a crusade against Aids and I'll battle forever even after a cure is found,' she said."
A percentage of the profits from Taylor's fragrance brands are earmarked for the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. As of 2000, she had raised $120 million for her foundation and for the American Foundation for AIDS Research," adds the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Stunning, classy, selfless.
What de @ss, is it heart failure week? Nate Dogg, Loleatta Holloway, now Liz Taylor? Lemme get up on my exercise and put down this McDonald's apple pie right now.
Rest In Peace Elizabeth Taylor. Great body of work, major progressive activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and White Diamonds still smells fantastic. You will be missed.
Posted by: Procrastination_Xtravaganza | 23 March 2011 at 10:10
This truly feels like the end of an era. Elizabeth Taylor to me was the last remaining symbol of old Hollywood glamour, style, and grace. I can't think of anyone left who was close to her level of star power who represented that old Hollywood style. For as much as she will be remembered for the marriages and scandals, I hope that she is eulogized and more remembered for that second half of her life transformation into a great humanitarian who raised money and awareness for HIV/AIDS. R.I.P. Liz.
Posted by: Ron | 23 March 2011 at 11:03
The world is suddenly becoming a more dismal, sadder place.IN the past two years, we have lost some major stars who made the world a better place not only with their talent, but with their hearts of gold. This is really heartbreaking. I knew she had been ill for some time, but I knew she was a tough broad and that she would rebound. But for her to last 79 years despite the geart problems, brain tumors and personal heartbreaks in her lifetime, I'm grateful that she lasted as long as she did.
But I am still heartbroken just the same. In this world of tabloid trash, D-list reality stars and overindulgent, self-absorbed celebrities (i.e. Charlie Sheen) Stars of Elizabeth Taylor's caliber are a rare gem that once gone, leaves a huge vacuum in our society. She will be terribly missed and her legacy of beaty, grace and fierce activism will never be forgotten and I hope will be emulated by the rest of us. Rest in Peace, Dame Elizabeth.
Posted by: Distant Lover | 23 March 2011 at 15:42
Now she was a real movie star!
Posted by: JBK! | 24 March 2011 at 03:38
Had the day off from work yesterday. I heard the news at about 8:00am. I watched Elizabeth Taylor movies all day and into the night. Some call her the last of the great movie stars. I think they're right.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 24 March 2011 at 08:08
Bye, Liz. You certainly left an indelible mark.
Posted by: muslim marriage events | 24 March 2011 at 12:46
The last true and bonafide "Movie Star". RIP La Liz.
Posted by: Kool | 24 March 2011 at 19:10
She was also a devoted mother. She was once quoted as saying that two things enriched her life immensely, watching her children and working to help those with HIV/AIDS.
Posted by: Honut Sinti | 26 March 2011 at 17:22
I agree with everything that has been said (here and elsewhere) about Elizabeth Taylor, and she will be missed. I am also disappointed that, because of Ms. Taylor's death, another legend's death that week was eclipsed and not as widely reported (even here at Rod 2.0): Ms. Loleatta Holloway. Remember a time you COULD NOT fall into a club, and not hear "Love Sensation," "Runaway," "Dreaming" or my favorite "Hit and Run?" How immensely popular was Love Sensation? Not only was it remixed and re-released in 2006, but it was sampled by musical acts Black Box ("Ride on Time") and Marky Mark ("Good Vibrations"). In fact, it was Marky Mark's mega-hit (and video) that reintroduced audiences to Ms. Holloway, and eventually led to a resurgence in her career, ("Strong Enough," "Shout to the Top," and "Cry to Me.")
Rest in Peace, Loleatta.
Posted by: Rodney | 11 April 2011 at 13:07
Let me correct myself: Reading further, I see that Rod 2.0 did actually report on and offer a tribute to Ms. Holloway. (Such is the dangers of reading a blog from the most recent!) Rod, my apologies!
Posted by: Rodney | 11 April 2011 at 13:12