Why Joan Fontaine's Oscar Snub Of Olivia De Havilland Still Hurts

Joan Fontaine's desire to congratulate her estranged sister, Olivia de Havilland, on her Oscar win was thwarted. Was it due to their longstanding rivalry or something else?

The Fontaine-Havilland feud was one of the most bitter in Hollywood history. The sisters were constantly competing for roles, and their rivalry often spilled over into their personal lives. Fontaine's snub of De Havilland is just one example of the animosity between them.

Or was it something else? Fontaine claimed that she did not congratulate her sister because she was not invited to the ceremony. However, De Havilland has said that she did invite Fontaine, but that she never received the invitation.

Ultimately, the truth about what happened that night is unknown. However, it is clear that the Fontaine-Havilland feud was a complex and bitter one that lasted for many years.

Joan Fontaine Wanted To Congratulate Olivia De Havilland With Oscar But She

The relationship between Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland was complex and often strained. The two sisters were constantly competing for roles, and their rivalry often spilled over into their personal lives. One of the most famous examples of this rivalry occurred in 1942, when Fontaine won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Suspicion. De Havilland was nominated for the same award for her role in Hold Back the Dawn, but she lost to her sister. Fontaine's snub of De Havilland is just one example of the animosity between them.

  • Sibling rivalry: The sisters were constantly competing for attention and approval from their parents.
  • Professional jealousy: Both sisters were successful actresses, and they often competed for the same roles.
  • Personal animosity: The sisters had a number of personal disagreements, which contributed to their estrangement.
  • Public scrutiny: The sisters' rivalry was often played out in the public eye, which made it even more difficult for them to reconcile.
  • Unresolved issues: The sisters never fully resolved their issues, which led to their estrangement lasting for many years.
  • Missed opportunities: The sisters' rivalry prevented them from having a close relationship, which is a sad missed opportunity.

The Fontaine-Havilland feud is a complex and cautionary tale about the dangers of sibling rivalry. It is a reminder that even the closest relationships can be damaged by jealousy, competition, and unresolved issues.

NameJoan Fontaine
BornOctober 22, 1917
DiedDecember 15, 2013
OccupationActress
Academy AwardsBest Actress for Suspicion (1942)
NameOlivia de Havilland
BornJuly 1, 1916
DiedJuly 26, 2020
OccupationActress
Academy AwardsBest Actress for To Each His Own (1946)

Why Did Joan Fontaine Refuse to Congratulate Olivia de Havilland on Her Oscar Win?

Joan Fontaine and Olivia de Havilland were two of the most celebrated actresses of their time. But their relationship was marred by a bitter rivalry that lasted for decades. One of the most famous examples of this rivalry occurred in 1942, when Fontaine won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in Suspicion. De Havilland was nominated for the same award for her role in Hold Back the Dawn, but she lost to her sister. Fontaine's snub of De Havilland is just one example of the animosity between them.

What Were the Roots of the Fontaine-Havilland Rivalry?

The Fontaine-Havilland rivalry was complex and multifaceted. It is likely that the seeds of their estrangement were sown in childhood. The sisters were raised in a wealthy and privileged family, but they had very different personalities. Fontaine was outgoing and ambitious, while De Havilland was more shy and reserved. As they grew older, the sisters began to compete for attention and approval from their parents. This competition eventually spilled over into their professional lives.

How Did the Rivalry Affect Their Relationship?

The Fontaine-Havilland rivalry had a profound impact on their relationship. The sisters became estranged for many years, and they rarely spoke to each other. The rivalry also affected their careers. Fontaine and De Havilland often competed for the same roles, and they sometimes sabotaged each other's work. This rivalry prevented them from having a close relationship, which is a sad missed opportunity.

What Can We Learn from the Fontaine-Havilland Rivalry?

The Fontaine-Havilland rivalry is a cautionary tale about the dangers of sibling rivalry. It is a reminder that even the closest relationships can be damaged by jealousy, competition, and unresolved issues. It is important to learn from the mistakes of the past and to strive to build strong and healthy relationships with our siblings.


The Fontaine-Havilland rivalry was a complex and bitter one that lasted for decades. It was rooted in sibling rivalry, professional jealousy, and personal animosity. The rivalry prevented the sisters from having a close relationship, and it also affected their careers.


There are several key lessons that we can learn from the Fontaine-Havilland rivalry. First, it is important to be aware of the dangers of sibling rivalry. Second, it is important to learn to resolve conflicts in a healthy way. Third, it is important to cherish the relationships that we have with our loved ones.

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