Lilian Fontaine

Lilian Augusta Fontaine (née Ruse, formerly de Havilland; 11 June 1886 – 20 February 1975) was an English actress and mother of Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine.

Early years Fontaine was born Lilian Augusta Ruse in Reading, Berkshire. She received a scholarship from Reading College at the age of 13 for her musical talent and studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Career Fontaine gave up her acting career when she married.

Fontaine coached drama students when she lived in Saratoga, California, and she produced plays in a garden theatre that later was named for her.

Personal life After a stage career, Fontaine married the British patent attorney Walter de Havilland (1872–1968) in 1914. Their first daughter, Olivia, was born in 1916, followed by their second daughter, Joan, the following year. Both children were born in Tokyo where their father was a law professor and a patent attorney. After several years of marital strain, in part due to her husband's obsession with the ancient Chinese game Go, Lilian Fontaine decided to end the marriage. However, the divorce was not finalised until February 1925.

In 1922, the family moved to Saratoga, California, hoping that the climate there would improve the health of her daughters, who suffered from "recurring ailments". They lived there until 1933.

Legacy The Lilian Fontaine Garden Theatre in Saratoga, California, was named in honour of the actress, as was that city's Fontaine Drive.

Filmography