Estelle Merle O'Brien Thompson was born in India on February 19, 1911. She was educated in that country until the age of 17, when she left for London. Merle began her career in British films with mostly forgettable roles or bit parts. She appeared in an uncredited role in _Alf's Button . After her career finally ended she lived in quiet retirement until her death of a massive stroke on November 23, 1979, in Malibu, California. She was 68 and had kept her beauty to the end.
Was known as "Queenie Thompson" up until 1933 when future husband Alexander Korda changed her name for her role in The Private Life of Henry VIII. .
Following her death, she was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, in the Garden of Remembrance.
Because of facial scars the actress sustained in a London car crash in 1937, her future husband, cinematographer Lucien Ballard , designed a compact spotlight that he coined the "Obie" (Oberons nickname). Mounted on the side of the camera, the device lights the subject head on, thus reducing the incidence of unflattering facial lines and shadows.
Lost the role of Domini Enfilden in The Garden of Allah to Marlene Dietrich.
To hide her half-Indian parentage, she would tell friends and acquaintances that the older woman who lived in her house was her maid; the woman was actually her mother.
Her father hailed from Britain and her mother from Ceylon (now Sri Lanka).
Had extremely sensitive skin. She suffered from cosmetic poisoning twice, the second of which left permanent scarring.
Early publicity stated that she was born in Tasmania, Australia, rather than India. At that time, a Tasmanian background was considered "classier" than her true mixed race origins.
The two children she had during her marriage to Bruno Pagliai , Francesca Pagliai and Bruno Pagliai Jr., were adopted.
Her will left most of her money to be divided between her children. She left $1 million to the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital. Her husband, Robert Wolders , got nothing, at his own request.
In 1949, 12 years after her mothers death, she commissioned a painting of her mother from an old photograph, instructing the painter to lighten her mothers complexion in the painting to hide the fact that she was part-Indian.
The miniseries "Queenie" starring Mia Sara is based on a book by Merles nephew, loosely based on her life.
Was considered for the role of Scarlett OHara in Gone with the Wind , which went to Vivien Leigh.
According to an interview with Oberon in the February 1982 edition of "Films in Review", Samuel Goldwyn owed her over a million dollars to her for a series of pictures. He allegedly cried to her that he did not have the money. According to her, she told him to forget about it even though she still owed agents fees to Myrom Selznick. Some years later, Oberon asked Mrs. Goldwyn if she could buy a print of Wuthering Heights to complete her collection of films for her children but was refused.
Most early biographies of Merle Oberon credited "Service for Ladies" as her first Korda film, but she was not in it or "Never Trouble Trouble", another incorrect attribute.
Although she made three films opposite Charles Korvin, she said in an interview in the February 1982 issue of "Films in Review" that he was not a good actor.
Stunned by Merle Oberons radiant beauty in The Private Life of Henry VIII. , director William Wyler recommended to cousin Carl Laemmle to sign her. Months later, Wyler discovered that Universal had taken his advice but mistakenly signed Binnie Barnes.
Had appeared with Binnie Barnes in four films: The Private Life of Henry VIII. , The Private Life of Don Juan , The Divorce of Lady X and Til We Meet Again .
Merle Oberon passed away on November 23, 1979, three months away from what would have been her 69th birthday on February 19, 1980.
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6274 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
Was considered for the role of Bithiah in Cecil B. DeMille s The Ten Commandments .
To date , Oberon is the only Asian actress to be nominated as Best Actress.
Without security, it is difficult for a woman to look or feel beautiful.
Even when I was single, I owned homes and gardens. I buy beauty when,other women buy jewels. Land is security to me. I need gardens that are,mine to walk on.
