Heartbreaking Facts About Debbie Reynolds, America's Tragic Sweetheart
Debbie Reynolds’ string of nightmares began after Eddie Fisher abandoned her for Elizabeth Taylor. The scandal was a massive humiliation, but this was only the beginning.
From then on, every tragedy Reynolds endured would be worse than the last, culminating in a demise so unspeakable—it shook Hollywood to its core.
1. She Was A Tomboy
Born Mary Frances Reynolds in 1932, little Debbie Reynolds was far from the glamorous movie star she was destined to be. At the age of seven, it took more than the sparkle and lights of Hollywood to impress the California newcomer.
She was a downright tomboy, who loved sports and didn't care for fancy clothes. However, an unexpectedtwist of fate sent her hurtling in a new direction.
2. She Was Poor
Born during the height of the Great Depression, Reynolds' family barely had enough money. But that wasn't all. As a teenager, she was not winning any popularity contests: She never wore the trendiest clothes or drove, and she certainly wasn't getting any dates.
But when she was 16, Debbie Reynolds took a chance and entered the Miss Burbank beauty contest. The outcome surprised everyone.
3. She Was A Diamond In The Rough
Nobody ever expected an underdog like Debbie Reynolds to win a beauty contest, but the judges saw something special in the young girl...and they weren't the only ones.
Talent scouts from both Warner Bros and MGM witnessed the blossoming potential in Reynolds and jumped at the chance to sign her. After that, her life changed forever.
4. She Left It To Chance
In the blink of an eye, Debbie Reynolds went from nerdy schoolgirl to prized starlet. Both Warner and Bros and MGM wanted her in their corner—and they resolved this conflict in an ingenious way.
Instead of starting a bidding competition, they simply flipped a coin. Warner Bros won the toss, and immediately signed Reynolds. However, her transformation into a budding movie star wasn't easy.
