5 Things You Never Knew About Mia Farrow
Mia Farrow, born on February 9, 1945, has lived a life that reads like the script of an incredible Hollywood film. With a career spanning decades, she has been an actress, activist and mother to 14 children, many of whom were adopted by the selfless star. Born into Hollywood royalty as the daughter of actress Maureen O’Sullivan and director John Farrow, she was destined for the spotlight. Her childhood was filled with encounters with some of the most legendary figures in entertainment, shaping her path from an early age.
From her early days as a fresh-faced starlet to her later work as a humanitarian, Farrow has remained a fascinating figure. While many know her for her roles in iconic films like Rosemary’s Baby, there are plenty of lesser-known facts about her that might surprise even her biggest fans. Here are five things you never knew about Mia Farrow in honor of her 80th birthday:
1 She comes from Hollywood royalty
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Her mother, Maureen O’Sullivan, famously played Jane in the Tarzan films of the ’30s and ’40s, while her father, John Farrow, was an Oscar-winning director and screenwriter. Her family’s deep ties to the industry meant she grew up surrounded by legends, including her mother’s former schoolmate, Vivien Leigh, who personally helped launch her stage career.
2 Frank Sinatra served her divorce papers on set
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Farrow’s whirlwind romance with Frank Sinatra began when she was just 19 and he was almost 50. Dean Martin even joked that he had a bottle of Scotch older than she was. Their eventual marriage was tumultuous and ended in a dramatic way. When Rosemary’s Baby ran behind schedule, causing her to drop out of Sinatra’s film The Detective, he was very upset. Instead of a conversation, he sent his lawyer to hand-deliver divorce papers right to her on set. Despite their split, the two remained close for years, and rumors have even swirled that her son Ronan Farrow may have been fathered by Sinatra rather than Woody Allen. However, both Sinatra’s daughters have firmly denied this claim.
3 A Beatles song was inspired by her sister
While in India studying Transcendental Meditation with the Maharishi, Farrow’s younger sister, Prudence, became so devoted to her practice that John Lennon wrote a song to coax her out of isolation. That song? “Dear Prudence.” The track, featured on The White Album, remains one of The Beatles’ most beloved songs. While Mia wasn’t the direct inspiration, she was present for the legendary trip.
4 She had a literal fight with a costar
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Hollywood sets aren’t always peaceful places, but few actors can say they’ve had a full-blown fistfight with a costar. During the filming of Hurricane (1979), tensions ran high between Farrow and actor Timothy Bottoms. Things escalated to the point where they physically fought, resulting in Farrow reportedly needing sixteen stitches. Yikes!
5 She was the first-ever People Magazine cover star
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When People magazine launched in 1974, the editors chose Farrow as their inaugural cover star. At the time, she was making waves with her performance in The Great Gatsby opposite Robert Redford, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood’s most captivating stars. Since then, she has graced countless magazine covers, but there’s something special about being People‘s first pick.
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Hollywood Glamour
May 2020
Celebrate the most glamorous leading ladies from the Golden Age of Hollywood
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