Sydney Guilaroff

Having spent most of his career with his fingers in the hair of some of Hollywood's most glamorous stars, Sydney Guilaroff knew the value of an exceptional coif in creating a stellar image. It was he who gave Claudette Colbert her distinctive bangs and Lucille Ball that amazing red hair. He was the first hairstylist to receive credit on film. Over 40 years, most of it spent at MGM studios, Guilaroff was the preferred hairdresser for a broad range of celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Shirley MacLaine, Spencer Tracy, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart, Katharine Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Liza Minnelli, Clark Gable, Fred Astaire, and Nancy Reagan. A native of London, England, Guilaroff started out studying to become an architect. His interest in hair resulted from a porter's job at the Hotel McAlpin beauty salon after he moved to New York City. Guilaroff joined the staff at the prestigious Antoine's in 1925 and soon became one of their best coiffeurs. He moved to Hollywood and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the '30s at the request of Joan Crawford, who discovered him during a New York visit. Guilaroff's work can be seen in numerous films, including Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), The Wizard of Oz (1939), Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953), and The Graduate (1967). In 1996, Guilaroff published his memoirs, Crowning Glory: Reflections of Hollywood's Favorite Confidante.

~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide