"I reflect life. I enjoy hearing people enjoy me."

She was a Broadway chorus girl who made her break in Hollywood in 1943 with What a Woman! but she wasn't really noticed until 1947 in A Double Life. Shelley could have been Hollywood's next "face" girl but she chose to go the way of character acting and it served her well. She won two Oscars and was nominated for two other.

For A Place in the Sun (1951) Shelley was nominated for "Best Actress in a Leading Role" in this story about a blue collar guy moving up in the high brow world. He becomes involved with two vital women who want him. Problem is he only wants one. But the odd one out isn't giving up as easily as all would like. Shelley played Alice Tripp, the odd one out; with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift completing the triangle.
Purchase A Place in the Sun from Amazon.com.
Purchase A Place in the Sun from Amazon.ca.

The Diary of Anne Frank (1959) won Shelley an Oscar for "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" for her portrayal of Mrs. Petronella Van Daan. The movie was based on the story about two families hiding out in a secret room to avoid prosecution because they were Jews. Also stars Millie Perkins and Joseph Schildkraut. She donated her Oscar to the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
Purchase The Diary of Anne Frank from Amazon.com.
Purchase The Diary of Anne Frank from Amazon.ca.

For A Patch of Blue (1965) Shelley won "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" for her portrayal of Rose-Ann D'Arcy, the abusive mother of a young blind woman who's been virtually hidden from the world and experience by her prostitute mother. By accident she develops a friendship with a man in the park, played by Sidney Poitier. Read review.
Purchase A Patch of Blue from Amazon.com.
Purchase A Patch of Blue from Amazon.ca.

The Poseidon Adventure (1972) saw that Shelley was nominated for "Best Actress in a Supporting Role" for her portrayal of Belle Rosen, one of nine survivors on a passenger ship capsized at sea. With Gene Hackman, Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons and Roddy McDowall.
Purchase The Poseidon Adventure from Amazon.com.
Purchase The Poseidon Adventure from Amazon.ca.

Over 100 movies to her credit as well as many television appearances including playing Roseanne Barr's grandmother on the hit sitcom Roseanne. Her extravagant Hollywood lifestyle and creative talents transposed into writing where she created two best selling memoirs.

Shelley Winters was born to Jewish parents on August 18, 1920 in St. Louis, Illinois. She passed away January 14, 2006. She was 85. A legacy and a phenomenal woman.