15. Barbara Hutton’s Life Was Turned Into A Movie Titled
It was not long after Barbara Hutton passed away in 1979 when writers Dennis Turner and C. David Heymann got together to write a script based on Hutton’s life. C. David Heymann had written a book titled, Poor Little Rich Girl: The Life and Legend of Barbara Hutton, which was published in 1983. This book chronicled Hutton’s life and was later turned into a miniseries which premiered on NBC. Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story was directed by Charles Jarrott and featured Farrah Fawcett as Hutton. It also stared Anne Frances, Nicholas Clay, and Bruce Davidson.
The whole miniseries was almost five hours long and ran in a series of six parts. The miniseries was advertised as the story of Hutton, the wealthiest woman in America who died nearly penniless. It chronicled her seven marriages, including to Cary Grant. It also focused on her addiction to drugs and many other pieces of her life. The miniseries was a hit and won several awards, including Golden Globe for Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television. It also won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Hairstyling for a Miniseries or a Special, Outstanding Costume Design for a Miniseries or a Special, and Outstanding Makeup for a Miniseries or a Special.