Audrey Hepburn began her professional career as a dancer and landed small roles in obscure European films. She received wide acclaim after starring in her first American Film, Roman Holiday in 1957.

In 1964 Audrey starred in Warner Brothers' My Fair Lady, which also starred Rex Harrison (Professor Higgins), Stanley Holloway (Alfred Doolittle) and Wilfred Hyde-White (Colonel Pickering). The costumes for the film were designed by Cecil Beaton and after viewing the opera gowns and cloaks for the 'extras' she exclaimed 'I don't want to play Eliza. She doesn't have enough pretty clothes. I want to parade in all these.' So she did! She modelled each ensemble in front of her husband, Mel Ferrer, and Cecil Beaton.

George Cukor, director of My Fair Lady said, referring to Audrey's role in My Fair Lady: 'She should look clean, but not chic, and that's going to be difficult, because Audrey looks chic in anything.'

In 1988 she was named a special ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and dedicated the rest of her life to assisting needy children around the world.

Last updated: June 01, 2003

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