British actress Audrey Hepburn is recognized as a film and fashion icon. She radiated beauty and elegance throughout her career. She has starred in many films and is best known for her classic films such as: Sabrina, Funny Face, Breakfast at Tiffany's, My Fair Lady and Roman Holiday. She received many awards throughout her life, but it took a lot of hard work and determination. Many people don't know much about her, her childhood and what she did before and after her career took off. Hepburn grew up during World War II. It was a difficult time for her, but she showed incredible courage through it all. The issues Audrey faced throughout her childhood impacted who she was and who she would be when she was older. She persevered despite a frightening childhood and health issues she faced when she was older. Throughout her life, she never stopped persevering.Audrey Hepburn was born on May 4, 1929 as Audrey Kathleen Ruston in Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium. Hepburn's father, Joseph Victor Anthony Ruston, was a British businessman and her mother, Ella van Heemstra, was a Dutch aristocrat. Although Hepburn's father was born Ruston, he decided to take the surname Hepburn-Ruston. Ruston mistakenly believed he was a descendant of James Hepburn, third husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. From then on, Audrey Kathleen Ruston was known as Audrey Kathleen Hepburn-Ruston, who everyone knows as Audrey Hepburn. As Hepburn's father was a businessman, her entire family traveled between the Netherlands, Belgium and England. When her father left their family in 1935, the trip ended and Hepburn's mother decided to take her family to live in England. But in 1939, Britain declared war on Germany and Hepburn's mother thought it was... middle of paper... o come. At that time, director William Wyler was looking for a European actress to play the lead role of a princess in his new film, a romantic comedy, Roman Holiday. Hepburn was invited to do a screen test by executives at Paramount's London office. Captivated by her performance, Wyler cast Hepburn in the lead role. Gigi ran until May 31, 1952 and earned Hepburn a Theater World Award and numerous recognitions. When Gigi finished, Hepburn flew to Rome to star in Roman Holiday. The film was a smash hit and in 1953, Hepburn received the Academy Award for Best Actress when she was just 24 years old. Recognized as Hollywood's new star, Hepburn was chosen by Paramount to play Sabrina in the film Sabrina. Again, she was nominated for Best Actress, but was beaten out by Grace Kelly in The Country Girl. In 1954, Hepburn met and dated actor Mel Ferrer when they cohabited with him.-