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(Bayla Wegier)
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23 October 28 |
born in Sosnowiec, Poland |
c. 40 |
is put in a concentration camp in France by the Germans at age 11
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50 |
marries wealthy businessman Alban Cavalade and frequents the gambling spots on the Riviera
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"prix délegance" in Cannes
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divorces Cavalade
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June 51 |
while in Paris, producer Darryl F. Zanuck and his wife Virginia, with their friend actor Alec D'Arcy, spot her sitting at a sidewalk café on the Champs-Elysées. She sends flowers to Mrs. Zanuck the day after.
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actor Alec D'Arcy introduces her to Virginia Zanuck at a Paris fashion show. Virginia introduces her to Darryl.
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when she confirms to Zanuck that she had to sell her clothes to pay off gambling debts, he gives her $2,000 to improve her situation and invites her to Hollywood
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November 52 |
turns up in Hollywood and moves into Zanuck's beach house at Santa Monica. Darryl's daughter Susan hates her at first sight.
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during her stay, she sleeps in the same bedroom as Susan Zanuck
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is in Hollywood at Virginia Zanuck's invitation. Soon there are rumors of a ménage à trois formed by her and the Zanucks
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January 53 |
screen tests for Zanuck in CinemaScope
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August 53 |
signs a contract with Zanuck, who shortens her name to Bella Darvi - the DAR is for Darryl, the VI for his wife, Virginia
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the press heralds her as the French doll with the impact of TNT. "She's got zip, zoom and zowie and in parlez-vous she's ravissante, chi-chi and trés élégante."
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Marlon Brando allegedly cancels his engagement for The Egyptian because he can't stand her
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at an oriental costume party at Ciro's in honor of Terry Moore's return from entertaining the troops in Korea, Zanuck gets drunk and starts doing acrobatics at the dinner table. When Susan tells her mother that Bella is the reason for that behaviour, Virginia throws her out of the house.
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Zanuck leaves his wife Virginia for Bella and follows her to France
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she's back at the gambling tables of Monte Carlo
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Zanuck has to borrow money from billionaire Howard Hughes to pay off her gambling IOUs which total $50,000
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October 57 |
didn't make the grade as a Hollywood star, but is doing all right on the jewel and fur fronts. She's seen with a Hollywood producer at the Cannes Casino.
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when her gambling gets out of control, Zanuck deserts her. His next discovery will be Juliette Greco, then Irina Demick.
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has to sell her jewels, furs, clothes and furniture to cover herself financially. Finally, she has to sell her two poodles, too.
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August 62 |
attempts suicide in Monte Carlo
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64? |
meets Radames Trujillo, Ramfis' younger brother, at the Monte Carlo casino, who becomes her Sugar Daddy for about a year before marrying actress Daniele Gaubert
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April 66 |
attemps suicide at Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France
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June 68 |
attemps suicide in her hotel room in Monte Carlo
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is put in a clinic on the Riviera. When Monaco's Hotel de Paris keeps her clothing in exchange for an unpaid bill, Zanuck comes to help.
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10/17 September 71 |
takes her life at age 42 in her modest Monte Carlo apartment by opening the gas jets on her stove. Is found decomposed one week later.
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Sources
The Fox That Got Away by Stephen M. Silverman, Fallen Angels by Kirk Crivello, Hollywood Babylon II by Kenneth Anger, The Hollywood Reporter, Confidential, Silver Screen |
Film Credits for Bella. View her movies she performed in and not to over "The Egpytian" in her role a "Nefer"