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.
After both of her daughters reached film stardom, Fontaine returned to acting with a role in Billy Wilder's drama The Lost Weekend (1945) as the mother of Jane Wyman's character. She also played supporting roles in two films with her daughter Joan, Ivy (1947) and The Bigamist (1953) and made a few television appearances during the 1950s.
From 1948 to 1958, Fontaine taught an acting class that developed into the Los Gatos Theatre workshop.
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.
In April 1925, she married the department store manager George M. Fontaine. They remained married until his death in 1956. She lived with her two daughters in California, and encouraged them to pursue acting careers.
Death Fontaine died on 20 February 1975 of cancer aged 88.
Legacy The Lilian Fontaine Garden Theatre in Saratoga, California, was named in honour of the actress, as was that city's Fontaine Drive.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1945 The Lost Weekend Mrs. St. James 1946 The Locket Lady Wyndham 1947 Suddenly, It's Spring Mary's Mother 1947 Time Out of Mind Aunt Melinda 1947 The Imperfect Lady Mrs. Gunner 1947 Ivy Lady Flora 1953 The Bigamist Miss Higgins, Landlady 1954 Waterfront Helen Martin TV series, 1 episode1955 Studio 57 Anita Wilcox TV series, 1 episode1955 Schlitz Playhouse of Stars TV series, 1 episode1956 Passport to Danger TV series, 1 episode1957 Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans Marian TV series, 1 episode
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