- Born
- Birth nameElana Lani Cooper
- Height1.56 m
- A beautiful, talented Israeli Jew of Polish-Russian parentage, Elana Eden was already an established theatrical star in her homeland before she became a star in Hollywood. She was one of the five finalists for the title role in Le journal d'Anne Frank (1959) until Millie Perkins got the part. When it came time to cast the title character in 20th Century Fox's next production, L'histoire de Ruth (1960), producer Samuel G. Engel and director Henry Koster were so captivated by Eden's screen test that they chose her over 300 other actresses (of which only 29 were given screen tests) for the part of Ruth. Eden gave a genuine, effectively subtle performance as the biblical heroine, and she will always be remembered as the screen's definitive Ruth.- IMDb mini biography by: V.Q. Castro
- SpousesFred Myrow(June 6, 1969 - January 14, 1999) (his death, 3 children)Nissim Aloni(1962 - 1965) (divorced)
- Oval, olive-skinned face
- Black almond eyes
- Was chosen over 300 actresses to play the title role in L'histoire de Ruth (1960).
- Served as a machine gunner in the Israeli Army.
- Lost ten pounds in three weeks for L'histoire de Ruth (1960).
- Attended the 20th Century Fox school, where young contract players were trained in acting, dance, fencing, personal development in the social graces, fashion and styling.
- Arthur E. Arling, the cinematographer of L'histoire de Ruth (1960), said that Eden was "the most photogenic - the most camera-proof face I've ever photographed".
- I found that there is absolutely nothing personal in being a motion-picture star. I found that people are nice to actors only because they are supposedly "important" not because they are fellow humans.
- It's what the actress is up there on the screen that's important to the fans - that's what they're showing the respect to.
- [on how 20th-Century Fox changed her name] They gave me a new name. My real name is Cooper, but that sounded too English. They wanted me to have something that sounded more Jewish. So they picked Eden, because it is mentioned in the Bible.
- [on acting in Hollywood] I found I had to think in English, which was hard for I have only spoken it for a year. But the face is a mirror and your emotions come across only if you think in the language in which the film is being made.
- Always, I told my mother, when I am 18 I will have lots of money and pay all her debts. I'm 19 now but at last I will be able to. To have money is good only so that you can help people you love.
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