FAMOUS MONEGASQUES
Grace at the age of 12
At the age of twelve Grace was part of a
small amateur troupe, which at that time was
quite common in Philadelphia. Two years
later, she became a local star, playing Peter
Pan and also playing Katherine in «The Tam-
ing of the Shrew».
American businessman, politician and
Olympic rowing champion John B. Kelly, Sr.
with his wife Margaret and their children,
circa 1935
THE AMERICAN ACADEMY
OF DRAMATIC ARTS
Her mother’s friend who was an actress
told young Kelly about her studies at
the Academy.
At that time Grace had already devel-
oped the reputation of an «Ice Queen»
that the whole world would see on the
screens some years later. Her friends
could see her giggling, but in public she
was the epitome of royal coolness. As we
all know, she was admitted to the Ameri-
can Academy of Dramatic Arts, the most
The first time Grace heard about the Ameri-
can Academy was during a trip to New York.
In 1940, inspired by a Russian Ballet perfor-
mance, Grace began taking dance lessons
until she was told that she was too tall to
be a ballerina. However, her efforts paid off.
Today one can still admire her grace and el-
egance onscreen.
«SHE WAS A SWEET AND WONDERFUL CHILD.
SOMETIMES I DIDN’T EVEN WANT HER TO GROW UP»,
GRACE’S MOTHER MARGARET SAID.
The wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco on April 19, 1956
Actresses Grace Kelly and Jean Simmons holding
their awards, with actor Gregory Peck at the
1956 Golden Globes
prestigious American acting school at the
time, with a little help from her famous
uncle George Kelly, an American screen-
writer and actor. Here began another
chapter in Grace’s life, full of challenges
and student parties.
Grace sent her portfolio to several ad
agencies. When it turned out that the
camera loved her, Grace started to ap-
pear in every commercial: from soap to
vacuum cleaners. Soon she had signed
her first big contract with the tobacco
brand «Old Gold». Every advertising block
brought her about 2,000 dollars (40,000
dollars today). That’s what aspiring ac-
tresses earned for six months of hard
work! However, Grace never bought ex-
pensive clothes or went to chic restau-
rants, and she preferred taking public
transport. Where did all her money go?
She sent her earnings to her parents as
compensation for her studies.
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