Merle Oberon

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Actress Born Estelle Merle O'Brien Thompson on Feb. 19, 1911 in Mumbai, India

Actress Merle Oberon's dark, ageless beauty brought her fame in such films as "Wuthering Heights" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel."

Oberon — who admitted to using false ages throughout her career — claimed to be the daughter of a British army officer who was born in Tasmania and educated in India. After her death, her secret was revealed. She was born a humble Bombay Anglo-Indian, a half-caste who because of the prejudices of her day forced her to conceal her mixed blood if she was to make her way in either show business or society.

In 1928, Oberon went to England, where she found work as a dance hostess, then as an extra and bit player in films.

During lunch at the British and Dominion Studios, she met Hungarian director Alexander Korda, who became the first of her five husbands. As Anne Boleyn in Korda's "The Private Life of Henry VIII," Oberon won critical acclaim.

Douglas Fairbanks selected her for his leading lady in "The Private Life of Don Juan." After finishing "The Scarlet Pimpernel," she came to Hollywood. Her first American picture was "Folies Bergere de Paris."

In 1939, she made "Wuthering Heights," her most famous film. Her costar was Laurence Olivier.

— Richard E. Meyer and Kevin Thomas in the Los Angeles Times Nov. 24, 1979 and May 31, 1985

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