Who Is Tallulah Bankhead? Age, Biography and Wiki
Tallulah Bankhead was born on January 31, 1902, and passed away on December 12, 1968. Although she left this world decades ago, her legacy continues to be celebrated. Known for her theatrical prowess and larger-than-life persona, Bankhead's performances ranged from classic dramas to comedic roles, making her a versatile figure in both film and theatre. As of 2025, she would have been 123 years old, embedding her in the annals of history as a pioneering actress who broke barriers in the entertainment industry.
| Occupation | Civil Rights Activists |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 31, 1902 |
| Age | 66 Years |
| Birth Place | Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 12 December, 1968 |
| Died Place | New York City, U.S. |
Popularity
Tallulah Bankhead's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Tallulah Bankhead stood at an impressive height of 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm). Known for her striking features and charismatic presence, she held a captivating allure that was complemented by her stylish wardrobe choices throughout her career. Although her specific weight and measurements vary across biographies and screenshots from her iconic films, her elegance is timeless.
Among her last radio appearances was in an episode of the BBC's Desert Island Discs with Roy Plomley in 1964. Bankhead, at 62 and audibly suffering from breathing difficulties from emphysema in the interview, frankly spoke of how hopeless she would be on a desert island, admitting that she "couldn't put a key in the door, dahling.
I can't do a thing for myself." In the interview, host Plomley spoke of Bankhead's glory days as the most celebrated actress of 1920s London. Later he recalled of their interview, "She was a very frail and ailing old lady, and I was shocked to see how old and ill she looked as I helped her out of a taxi.
She had come from her hotel wearing a mink coat slung over a pair of lounging pyjamas, and she leaned heavily on my arm as I supported her to the lift. Her eyes were still fine, and there was still beauty in the bone structure of her face beneath the wrinkles and ravages of hard living.
Her hands shook, and when she wished to go to the loo she had to ask Monica Chapman to accompany her to help her with her clothing."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Tallulah Bankhead's relationships often drew public interest, with her dating history including numerous high-profile figures. While she was known to have had several affairs with both men and women, her most notable romantic involvement was with actor John Barrymore. Throughout her life, Bankhead was open about her sexuality, challenging societal norms of her time. As for her marital status, Tallulah Bankhead was married to the actor and playwright, William E. Bankhead, but the marriage was short-lived.
Bankhead was a member of the Bankhead and Brockman family, a prominent Alabama political family. Her grandfather and her uncle were U.S. senators, and her father was Speaker of the House of Representatives. Bankhead supported liberal causes, including the budding civil rights movement.
She also supported foster children and helped families escape the Spanish Civil War and World War II. Bankhead was an alcohol and drug user; she reportedly smoked 120 cigarettes a day and talked candidly about her vices. She also had a series of sexual relationships with both men and women.
Net Worth and Salary
Although it is challenging to determine an exact figure for Tallulah Bankhead's net worth at the time of her passing, estimates suggest that she was quite successful in her career. With a combination of film, theatre, and broadcasting roles, her earnings during the height of her career would translate to millions in today's economy. In contemporary terms, her net worth could be approximated at several million dollars, especially considering her enduring influence on subsequent generations of actors.
While in London, Bankhead bought herself a Bentley, which she loved to drive. She was not very competent with directions and constantly found herself lost in the London streets. She would telephone a taxi-cab and pay the driver to drive to her destination while she followed behind in her car.
During her eight years on the London stage and touring across Great Britain's theatres, Bankhead earned a reputation for making the most out of inferior material. For example, in her autobiography, Bankhead described the opening night of a play called Conchita:
Career, Business and Investments
Bankhead began her career in the 1920s and quickly became a star on Broadway, eventually making a successful transition to Hollywood. She starred in numerous films, including "Lifeboat" (1944), which garnered critical acclaim. Known for her distinctive voice and commanding stage presence, she won a Tony Award for her performance in "The Little Foxes" in 1939.
Bankhead was also involved in various business ventures and investments in her later years, contributing to her overall wealth. Her impact on the arts continues to be celebrated, influencing countless actors and shaping the landscape of American theatre and film.
Tallulah Brockman Bankhead (January 31, 1902 – December 12, 1968) was an American actress. Primarily an actress of the stage, Bankhead also appeared in several films including an award-winning performance in Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat (1944). She also had a brief but successful career on radio and made appearances on television.
In all, Bankhead amassed nearly 300 film, stage, television and radio roles during her career. She was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1972 and the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in 1981.
Social Network
Today, while Tallulah Bankhead may not have an active social media presence, her legacy is maintained through various fan pages, tribute sites, and historical discussions. Social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter often feature posts that celebrate her life and work, allowing new generations to discover her remarkable contributions to entertainment.
Bankhead returned to the United States in 1931, but Hollywood success eluded her in her first four films of the 1930s. She rented a home at 1712 Stanley Street in Hollywood (now 1712 North Stanley Avenue) and began hosting parties that were said to "have no boundaries".
Bankhead's first film was Tarnished Lady (1931), directed by George Cukor, and the pair became fast friends. Bankhead behaved herself on the set and filming went smoothly, but she found film-making to be very boring and did not have the patience for it.
After over eight years of living in Great Britain and touring on their theatrical stages, she did not like living in Hollywood; when she met producer Irving Thalberg, she asked him "How do you get laid in this dreadful place?" Thalberg retorted "I'm sure you'll have no problem.
Ask anyone." Although Bankhead was not very interested in making films, the opportunity to make $50,000 per film was too good to pass up.
Her 1932 movie Devil and the Deep is notable for the presence of three major co-stars, with Bankhead receiving top billing over Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton, and Cary Grant; it is the only film with Cooper and Grant in the cast, although they share no scenes together.
She later said "Dahling, the main reason I accepted [the part] was to fuck that divine Gary Cooper!" Later in 1932, Bankhead starred opposite Robert Montgomery in Faithless.
Education
Tallulah Bankhead was educated at the prestigious Boys' High School in Atlanta, Georgia, and later attended the University of Alabama. Her education laid the groundwork for her illustrious career, empowering her with the confidence and skills needed to succeed in the competitive world of acting.
In a private memo written in 1936, David O. Selznick, producer of Gone with the Wind (1939), called Bankhead the "first choice among established stars" to play Scarlett O'Hara in the upcoming film. Although her 1938 screen test for the role in black-and-white was superb, she photographed poorly in Technicolor.
Selznick also reportedly believed that at age 36, she was too old to play Scarlett, who is 16 at the beginning of the film (the role eventually went to Vivien Leigh). Selznick sent Kay Brown to Bankhead to discuss the possibility of Bankhead playing brothel owner Belle Watling in the film, which she turned down.
