Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Grace Kelly

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Grace Kelly made an impact.

Grace Kelly was a celebrated American actress who transitioned to royalty upon marrying Prince Rainier III, becoming the Princess of Monaco in 1956. Before her marriage, she had a successful Hollywood career in the early to mid-1950s, earning an Academy Award and three Golden Globe Awards. She's recognized as one of the greatest female stars in cinematic history, ranked 13th by the American Film Institute. Her life represents a unique blend of Hollywood glamour and European royalty, forever solidifying her place in popular culture.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1942: Lead role in Don't Feed the Animals

In 1942, at the age of 12, Grace Kelly played the lead in Don't Feed the Animals, a play produced in East Falls by the Old Academy Players, marking an early acting experience.

1949: Graduation from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts

In 1949, Grace Kelly graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and started appearing in New York City theatrical productions and television broadcasts.

1950: Mention in Theatre World Magazine

In 1950, Grace Kelly was mentioned in Theatre World magazine as a "most promising personality of the Broadway stage", recognizing her early potential and talent.

1951: Small Role in Fourteen Hours

In 1951, Grace Kelly had a minor role in the film Fourteen Hours, which led to the establishment of the "Grace Kelly Fan Club", marking the beginning of her widespread recognition.

1951: Filming of High Noon

In the late summer and early fall of 1951, Grace Kelly filmed High Noon in Columbia, California, co-starring opposite Cooper. The film was shot over a 28-day schedule in hot weather conditions.

September 1952: Audition for John Ford and MGM Contract

In September 1952, Grace Kelly auditioned for director John Ford and subsequently signed a seven-year contract with MGM at a salary of $850 a week (equivalent to $10,305 in 2025), with specific conditions allowing her to work in theatre.

November 1952: Arrival in Nairobi for Mogambo Filming

In November 1952, Grace Kelly and the cast of Mogambo arrived in Nairobi to begin filming, where Kelly replaced Gene Tierney and played Linda Nordley, an English wife with a romantic interest in Clark Gable's character.

1952: Stardom in High Noon

In 1952, Grace Kelly achieved stardom with her role in Fred Zinnemann's western film High Noon.

1953: Academy Award Nomination for Mogambo

In 1953, Grace Kelly starred in John Ford's adventure-romance Mogambo, which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

1953: Release of Mogambo and Awards

In 1953, the film Mogambo was released, achieving box office success. Grace Kelly won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress and received her first Academy Award nomination for her performance.

April 1954: Filmed Green Fire in Colombia

In April 1954, Grace Kelly filmed Green Fire in Colombia alongside Stewart Granger. She played Catherine Knowland, a coffee plantation owner and described the shoot as unpleasant due to the poor conditions.

October 1954: Release and Praise for Rear Window

In October 1954, Rear Window was released, and Grace Kelly received praise for her role as Lisa Fremont, a wealthy Manhattan socialite, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

1954: Starred in The Country Girl

In 1954, Grace Kelly played Georgie Elgin, Bing Crosby's wife, in The Country Girl after Jennifer Jones withdrew due to pregnancy. Kelly negotiated a better contract and threatened to leave MGM if not allowed to do the film. Edith Head designed the wardrobe, initially fashionable, then plain cardigans. The plot revolved around the emotional turmoil of her character between her two lovers.

1954: Won New York Film Critics Circle Award

In 1954, Grace Kelly received the New York Film Critics Circle Award for best actress for her roles in Rear Window, Dial M For Murder, and The Country Girl.

1954: Roles in Dial M for Murder and The Bridges at Toko-Ri

In 1954, Grace Kelly starred in Dial M for Murder and began filming The Bridges at Toko-Ri with William Holden. During this time, Alfred Hitchcock became one of her mentors.

1954: Academy Award for The Country Girl

In 1954, Grace Kelly won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in the drama The Country Girl. She also starred in The Bridges at Toko-Ri and Dial M for Murder.

January 31, 1955: Appeared on cover of Time magazine

On January 31, 1955, Grace Kelly appeared on the cover of Time magazine, hailed as the top movie star, bringing about a change from film sirens. She was described as the "Girl in White Gloves."

1955: Starring in To Catch a Thief

In 1955, Grace Kelly starred in Alfred Hitchcock's suspense thriller To Catch a Thief.

1955: Photographed by Howell Conant in Jamaica

In 1955, Grace Kelly was photographed by Howell Conant in Jamaica. The photographs were published in Collier's, with a photo of her rising from the water on the cover.

1955: Won Golden Globe Award for The Country Girl

In 1955, Grace Kelly won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her performance in The Country Girl. The New York Times praised her performance as "excellent."

July 1956: High Society Released

In July 1956, Grace Kelly's final film, High Society, a remake of MGM's The Philadelphia Story (1940), was released. Variety praised her relaxed performance as Tracy Lord.

1956: Role in High Society

In 1956, Grace Kelly starred in the romantic comedy High Society, adding to her notable works.

1962: Declined Role in Hitchcock's Marnie

In 1962, Alfred Hitchcock offered Princess Grace the lead in his film Marnie, but she rejected the project due to public outcry in Monaco against her playing a kleptomaniac.

1963: Founded AMADE Mondiale

In 1963, Grace Kelly founded AMADE Mondiale, a Monaco-based non-profit organization recognized by the UN, to protect children's well-being worldwide.

1964: Establishment of the Princess Grace Foundation

In 1964, Princess Grace established the Princess Grace Foundation to support local artisans in Monaco, showcasing her commitment to the arts.

1964: Founded Princess Grace Foundation

In 1964, Princess Grace founded the Princess Grace Foundation to support local artisans in Monaco.

1965: Became honorary member of La Leche League

In 1965, Grace Kelly became an honorary member of La Leche League and focused on mothering through breastfeeding.

1966: Narrated The Poppy Is Also a Flower

In 1966, Grace Kelly narrated ABC's made-for-television film The Poppy Is Also a Flower.

1971: Speaker at La Leche League Conference

In 1971, Grace Kelly was a speaker at the La Leche League conference in Chicago, addressing thousands of mothers, fathers, and babies. She was an advocate for breastfeeding.

1975: Founded Princess Grace Academy

In 1975, Grace Kelly helped found the Princess Grace Academy, the resident school of the Monte Carlo Ballet.

1976: Joined board of 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation

In 1976, Grace Kelly joined the board of the 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation, becoming one of its first female members.

1977: Declined Role in The Turning Point

In 1977, Director Herbert Ross tried to interest Princess Grace in a role in his film, 'The Turning Point', but Rainier dismissed the idea.

1977: Narration of The Children of Theatre Street

In 1977, Princess Grace narrated The Children of Theatre Street, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. This marked her final film role.

1979: Worked on Rearranged film

In 1979, Grace Kelly and Rainier worked together on a 33-minute independent film titled Rearranged.

1980: Published My Book of Flowers

In 1980, Grace Kelly published My Book of Flowers with Gwen Robyns, detailing her floral aesthetics, symbolism, and flower pressing.

1982: Princess Grace Foundation-USA Founded

In 1982, Kelly's husband founded the Princess Grace Foundation-USA in her memory to support emerging theater, dance, and film artists in America.

1982: Rearranged film received interest from ABC TV

In 1982, Rearranged, the 33-minute independent film starring Grace Kelly and Rainier, received interest from ABC TV executives after its premiere in Monaco.

Loading Video...

1985: Establishment of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo

In 1985, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo was established in accordance with the wishes of Princess Grace, with its first performance on December 21.

2025: Equivalent Salary Calculation

In September 1952, Grace Kelly signed a contract with MGM at a salary of $850 a week, equivalent to $10,305 in 2025, showcasing the relative value of her earnings at the time.