Biography
The film Hawaii was a big-budget drama based on the best-selling novel of the same name by James A. Michener that tells the story of 19th Century white missionaries bringing Christianity to the island natives. LaGarde was a Polynesian woman who fit perfectly the physical attributes of an important character in the film. Although she had never acted before, and could not speak English (speaking only in fluent Tahitian and French), she was hired by Mirisch Productions and given a coach to be phonetically trained to handle her character's dialogue.
As "Queen Malama Kanakoa, Alii Nui of Hawaii", LaGarde's personality and facial beauty, combined with a reported 300 pound (136 kg) frame, brought a commanding presence to the screen. Surrounded by a cast of Hollywood all-stars, she stole the show not only with the audience but with the professional members of the film industry. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences nominated her for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, the only performer in the film so nominated. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association voted her the winner of their Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress. Hawaii was LaGarde's only acting role. She died at her home in Papeete, Tahiti in 1979.
Read more about this topic: Jocelyne La Garde
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