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November 23, 2014

40 Beautiful Black and White Photographs of Elizabeth Taylor in Her Teen Years in the 1940s

Unlike most celebrities, Elizabeth Taylor lived nearly her entire life as a famous person. Following her turn in the equestrian epic National Velvet, her teen years brought her first taste of stardom – and her first studio contract.


Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born on February 27, 1932, in London, England. One of film’s most celebrated stars, Taylor fashioned a career that’s covered more than six decades, accepting roles that have not only showcased her beauty, but her ability to take on emotionally charged characters.

Taylor’s American parents, both art dealers, were residing in London when she was born. Soon after the outbreak of World War II, the Taylors returned to the United States and settled into their new life in Los Angeles.

Performing was in Taylor’s blood. Her mother had worked as an actress until she married. At the age of 3, the young Taylor started dancing and eventually gave a recital for Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. Not long after relocating to California, a family friend suggested the Taylors’ daughter take a screen test.

She soon signed a contract with Universal Studios, and made her screen debut at the age of 10 in There’s One Born Every Minute (1942). She followed that up with a bigger role in Lassie Come Home (1943) and later The White Cliffs of Dover (1944).

Her breakout role, however, came in 1944 with National Velvet, in a role Taylor spent four months working to get. The film subsequently turned out to be a huge hit that pulled in more than $4 million and made the 12-year-old actress a huge star.

In the glare of the Hollywood spotlight, the young actress showed she was more than adept at handling celebrity’s tricky terrain. Even more impressive was the fact that, unlike so many child stars before and after her, Taylor proved she could make a seamless transition to more adult roles. And here, below is a selection of 40 black and white photos showing her beauty in her teen years, in the 1940s.

The 10-year-old Brit lit up the screen in her first film, "There's One Born Every Minute" in 1942.

Elizabeth Taylor, age 10

Elizabeth Taylor from "There's One Born Every Minute" in 1942.

Elizabeth Taylor, age 10 in 1942.

11- year-old Elizabeth Taylor is shown with Lassie around the time of her performance in "Lassie Comes Home" in Los Angeles, 1943.

Elizabeth Taylor in "Lassie Come Home," 1943.

Taylor's father eventually came around (perhaps due to her formidable mother) and she landed a part in the 1943 film "Lassie Come Home" opposite Roddy McDowall. The two remained friends until McDowall's death in 1998.

Elizabeth Taylor poses in a blouse with a polka dot yoke in 1944.

Elizabeth Taylor is seen during the time that she was filming "National Velvet" in 1944.

Her role as Velvet Brown in the 1944 smash hit "National Velvet" that made Taylor a star at age 12.

Elizabeth Taylor in "National Velvet," 1944.

Taylor captured the nation's hearts as a jodhpur-rocking girl jockey in "National Velvet," 1944.

Elizabeth Taylor, age 13, poses with her own horse after shooting "National Velvet"

Taylor at her desk, 1945.

Portrait of Elizabeth Taylor in 1945.

In 1945, at age 13 and already a veteran of five films, Elizabeth Taylor signs autographs during a charity cricket match at Los Angeles' Gilmore Stadium.

Taylor, age 13, in her bedroom with pet chipmunk Nibbles, 1945.

Taylor signing autographs for her fans at a nightclub in 1946.

Elizabeth Taylor, Sept. 1946.

Taylor played opposite another four-legged friend in "Courage of Lassie".

Elizabeth Taylor returning to England on the Queen Mary in 1947.

With her mother, at home in Los Angeles, 1947.

Elizabeth Taylor showing off, frilly two-piece bathing, 1947.

Elizabeth Taylor, wearing a plaid shirt and jeans rolled up at the cuff with bare feet, holding a poodle and smiling, 1947.

Elizabeth Taylor in 1947, age 15.

On the set of "Cynthia," 1947.

Taylor t her home in Los Angeles, 1948.

Taylor in London, 1948.

Reading Look magazine, 1948.

Elizabeth Taylor with Jane Powell in "A Date with Judy," 1948.

Liz Taylor gazes into the distance while wearing an "All America" sweatshirt, 1948.

Elizabeth Taylor in 1948.

Taylor and her mother, Sara — a former stage actress — in 1948.

Liz Taylor, London, 1948.

Elizabeth Taylor surrounded by pigeons in Trafalgar Square, London, November 1948.

Taylor feeds the pigeons in Trafalgar Square, London in November 1948.

An oceanside portrait of Elizabeth Taylor, 1948.

Taylor, age 16, works with her tutor on a movie set, 1948.

Her fame grew when she portrayed Amy in "Little Women," 1949.

Taylor, age 17, poses with photos of her then-beau, 1946 Heisman trophy winner Glenn Davis, 1949.

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