Let me tell you about Norma Shearer, a Hollywood legend whose life was as captivating as her films. In her iconic role in The Divorcee, Norma plays a woman who discovers her husband's infidelity and decides to get even by having an affair of her own. This film, released before the Hays Code started policing movie morality, was a daring exploration of relationships and societal norms. It left audiences both shocked and thrilled. Her fearless portrayal of this free-spirited character earned her the 1931 Oscar for Best Actress, beating out legendary actresses like Greta Garbo and Gloria Swanson. That’s no small feat, and it was a testament to her extraordinary talent.
Norma’s Determination: A Force to Be Reckoned With
Norma wasn’t just a pretty face on the screen; she was a trailblazer in every sense of the word. She belonged to an elite group of actresses, including Marlene Dietrich, Joan Crawford, and Carole Lombard, who refused to let others dictate their careers. “Norma believed she had the right to have a say in every aspect of her work,” explains Mark A. Vieira, author of Irving Thalberg: Boy Wonder to Producer Prince. In an exclusive interview with the latest issue of Closer, Vieira adds, “She often played characters who aspired for more because she herself was an ambitious and career-driven woman.” Norma was a woman ahead of her time, and she didn’t shy away from challenging the status quo.
Norma’s journey wasn’t easy. Her father lost his construction business, leaving her to fend for herself at a young age. According to Vieira, “She had no choice but to pursue a career and take control of her own destiny.” Norma’s resilience and determination set her apart, and she didn’t let setbacks define her. Instead, she used them as fuel to propel herself forward.
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Love and Loss: Norma's Life with Irving Thalberg
Norma’s life took a significant turn when she caught the attention of Irving Thalberg, the brilliant young producer at MGM. “She was already a star when he invited her to a movie premiere,” says Vieira. Irving was immediately drawn to Norma’s intelligence and eagerness to learn. The two tied the knot in 1927, with studio head Louis B. Mayer serving as best man. Their family grew with the arrival of their son, Irving Jr., in 1930, followed by their daughter, Katherine, in 1935.
Tragedy struck in 1936 when Irving passed away at the young age of 37 due to pneumonia. Vieira describes this as a “traumatic” time for Norma, but it also brought out her inner strength. Like the fiery heroines she portrayed on screen, Norma wasn’t one to back down. She fought MGM in court to secure the profits owed to her late husband. Vieira notes, “In a way, it was a blessing in disguise. It forced her to rise up and fight for what was rightfully hers.”
