Sean Hepburn Ferrer

Last updated
Sean Hepburn Ferrer
Born1960 (age 63–64)
Lucerne, Switzerland [1]
Occupations
  • Film producer
  • author
SpouseKarin Hepburn Ferrer
Children3, including Emma Ferrer
Parents

Sean Hepburn Ferrer (born 1960) [1] is an American film producer and author. [2] He is the son of Audrey Hepburn and Mel Ferrer.

Contents

Early life

Sean Hepburn Ferrer is the son of Audrey Hepburn and her first husband Mel Ferrer. [3] [4] Ferrer was born in Lucerne, Switzerland, [1] and has spent periods of his life in Italy and Spain. [2] He has a half-brother, Luca Dotti, from Hepburn's second marriage to Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti. [1] [3]

After the birth of Sean, his mother turned away from the Hollywood life to focus on raising her children. [5]

Career

He worked in the film industry for several years in the development, production and marketing of films. He has also been an assistant director on several film projects. [2] In 2001, he filmed the documentary Racehoss about Albert Race Sample, who, as a convicted criminal in prison, turned to writing and later helped other inmates to return to normal living. Ferrer directed and produced the film. In 2003, he published a biography of his mother, Audrey Hepburn, an Elegant Spirit. In 2020, he and his wife, Karin, published Little Audrey's Daydream, a children's book about Hepburn's childhood in Europe. Proceeds from the book benefit the European Organisation for Rare Diseases. [6] [7] Ferrer and his daughter, Emma, contributed to Audrey (2020), a documentary about his mother directed by Helena Coan. [8]

Charity work

Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund

A year after his mother's death in 1993, Ferrer founded the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund (originally named Hollywood for Children Inc.), [9] a charity funded by exhibitions of Audrey Hepburn memorabilia. He directed the charity in cooperation with his half-brother Luca Dotti, and Robert Wolders, his mother's partner, which aimed to continue the humanitarian work of Audrey Hepburn. [10] Ferrer brought the exhibition "Timeless Audrey" on a world tour to raise money for the foundation. [11] He served as chairman of the fund before resigning in 2012, turning over the position to Dotti. [12] In 2017, Ferrer was sued by the fund for alleged self-serving conduct. [12] In October 2017, Ferrer responded by suing the fund for trademark infringement, claiming that the fund no longer had the right to use Hepburn's name or likeness. [9] Ferrer's suit against the fund was dismissed in March 2018 due to the complaint's failure to include Dotti as a defendant. [13] In 2019, the court sided with Ferrer, with the judge ruling there was no merit to the charity's claims it had the independent right to use Audrey Hepburn's name and likeness, or to enter into contracts with third parties without Ferrer's consent. [14] [15]

Other ventures

From 2014 to 2018, Ferrer was ambassador of the annual Rare Disease Days. [16]

Personal life

Ferrer is married to Karin Hepburn Ferrer (formerly Karin Hofer). [3] [6] He is the godfather of Pierluigi Christophe Orunesu. [17] [18]

Selected filmography

Publications

Related Research Articles

<i>Breakfast at Tiffanys</i> (film) 1961 film by Blake Edwards

Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 American romantic comedy film directed by Blake Edwards, written by George Axelrod, adapted from Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name, and starring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a naïve, eccentric café society girl who falls in love with a struggling writer while attempting to marry for money. It was theatrically released by Paramount Pictures on October 5, 1961, to critical and commercial success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Audrey Hepburn</span> British actress (1929–1993)

Audrey Kathleen Hepburn was a British actress. Hepburn had a successful career in Hollywood and was recognised as a film and fashion icon, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the third-greatest female screen legend from the Classical Hollywood cinema and was inducted into the International Best Dressed Hall of Fame List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Wyler</span> German-born American filmmaker (1902–1981)

William Wyler was a German-born American film director and producer. Known for his work in numerous genres over five decades, he received numerous awards and accolades, including three Academy Awards. He holds the record of twelve nominations for the Academy Award for Best Director. For his oeuvre of work, Wyler was awarded the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award, the Directors Guild of America Lifetime Achievement Award, and the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award.

<i>Two for the Road</i> (film) 1967 British film by Stanley Donen

Two for the Road is a 1967 romantic comedy-drama directed and produced by Stanley Donen, starring Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney. The film tells the story of a married couple who reflect on their twelve-year relationship while on a road trip from England to the French Riviera. As they survey their foundering marriage in the present, the evolution of their relationship reveals itself through vignettes from four previous trips they took along the same route. The film was made from an original screenplay by Frederic Raphael. Supporting cast members include Eleanor Bron, William Daniels, Claude Dauphin, and Nadia Gray. Two for the Road was Hepburn's penultimate film before her semi-retirement in early 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mel Ferrer</span> American film actor and filmmaker (1917–2008)

Melchor Gastón Ferrer was an American actor and filmmaker. He achieved prominence on Broadway before scoring notable film hits with Scaramouche, Lili, and Knights of the Round Table. He starred opposite his wife, actress Audrey Hepburn, in War and Peace and produced her film Wait Until Dark. He also acted extensively in European films and appeared in several cult hits, including The Antichrist (1974), The Suspicious Death of a Minor (1975), The Black Corsair (1976) and Nightmare City (1980).

<i>Robin and Marian</i> 1976 film by Richard Lester

Robin and Marian is a 1976 romantic adventure film from Columbia Pictures, shot in Panavision and Technicolor, that was directed by Richard Lester and written by James Goldman after the legend of Robin Hood. The film stars Sean Connery as Robin Hood, Audrey Hepburn as Lady Marian, Nicol Williamson as Little John, Robert Shaw as the Sheriff of Nottingham, Richard Harris as Richard the Lionheart, and Denholm Elliott as Will Scarlet. It also features comedian Ronnie Barker in a rare film role as Friar Tuck. Robin and Marian was filmed in Zamora, as well as Artajona, Urbasa, Quinto Real and Orgi, all small medieval villages in Navarre, Spain. It marked Hepburn's return to the screen after an eight-year absence.

<i>The Audrey Hepburn Story</i> 2000 television film biopic directed by Steven Robman

The Audrey Hepburn Story is a 2000 American biographical drama television film based on the life of actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. Covering the years 1935 to the 1960s, it stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, who also produced the film. Emmy Rossum and Sarah Hyland appear as Hepburn in her early years. The film was shot in Montreal, Canada, and premiered on ABC on March 27, 2000.

Mayerling (<i>Producers Showcase</i>) 32nd episode of the 1st season of Producers Showcase

"Mayerling" is an episode of the American television series Producers' Showcase made for NBC Television, which was aired on 4 February 1957 and released theatrically as a film in Europe.

<i>The Nuns Story</i> (film) 1959 film by Fred Zinnemann

The Nun's Story is a 1959 American drama film directed by Fred Zinnemann and starring Audrey Hepburn, Peter Finch, Edith Evans, and Peggy Ashcroft. The screenplay was written by Robert Anderson, based on the popular 1956 novel of the same name by Kathryn Hulme. The film tells the life of Sister Luke (Hepburn), a young woman who decides to enter a convent and make the many sacrifices required by her choice.

<i>Producers Showcase</i> American TV anthology series

Producers' Showcase is an American anthology television series that was telecast live during the 1950s in compatible color by NBC. With top talent, the 90-minute episodes, covering a wide variety of genres, aired under the title every fourth Monday at 8 pm ET for three seasons, beginning October 18, 1954. The final episode, the last of 37, was broadcast May 27, 1957.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrea Dotti (psychiatrist)</span> Italian psychiatrist and second husband of Audrey Hepburn

Andrea Paolo Mario Dotti was an Italian psychiatrist-neurologist and the second husband of Audrey Hepburn from 1969 to 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Cristina Giongo</span> Italian journalist and author

Maria Cristina Giongo, is an Italian journalist and author.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Givenchy dress of Audrey Hepburn</span> Dress featured in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffanys

Audrey Hepburn wore a "little black dress" in the 1961 romantic comedy film Breakfast at Tiffany's. The garment was originally designed by Hubert de Givenchy, with three existing copies preserved to date. A studio copy of this dress was worn during the opening scene of the film, while another during a social party held at the apartment of the main protagonist.

<i>Life According to Sam</i> 2013 American film

Life According to Sam is an HBO original documentary film directed by Sean Fine and Andrea Nix Fine. Premiering in January 2013 at the Sundance Film Festival, the documentary discloses the impact that progeria had on the lives of Sam Berns and his parents, Dr. Leslie Gordon and Dr. Scott Berns. It was broadcast on HBO in October 2013, and since then it has won a 2013 Peabody Award and an Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking. It was also one of the 15 titles considered for nomination in the Documentary Feature category for the 86th Oscars.

Emma Kathleen Hepburn Ferrer is an American artist and former model.

Amy L. Towers is an American philanthropist and businesswoman who was formerly the chief operating officer of Glenview Capital Management.

Pseudomyxoma Survivor is a global charity (non-profit) which supports and advises patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei. It is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales as charity number 1143642 and provides specialist health care information and financial support to people affected by pseudomyxoma peritonei.

<i>Audrey</i> (2020 film) 2020 British film

Audrey is a 2020 documentary film about the life of British actress and humanitarian Audrey Hepburn. Directed by Helena Coan, it was produced with the involvement of Hepburn's elder son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, and granddaughter, Emma Ferrer. Originally slated for a theatrical release, it was released on DVD and Blu-ray on December 15, 2020, as well as digitally and on Netflix on January 5, 2021. The film has received generally favorable reviews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fashion of Audrey Hepburn</span>

The fashion of actress Audrey Hepburn, both on and off-screen, has impacted trends and pop culture, and she is considered a style icon.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Evans, Morgan (16 June 2017). "A Timeline of Audrey Hepburn's Hollywood Love Stories". Harper's Bazaar . Retrieved 23 Feb 2023. On June 17, 1960 in Lucerne, Switzerland, Hepburn gave birth to her first child, Sean Hepburn Ferrer...On February 8, 1970 at the age of 40, Hepburn gave birth to her second child, Luca Dotti...
  2. 1 2 3 "Sean Hepburn Ferrer talks about Audrey Hepburn: the actress, the mother, the style icon and the humanitarian". Film Talk. 2016-12-08. Retrieved 2020-08-22. I used to take great pride in my American citizenship.
  3. 1 2 3 Fiori, Pamela (2014-08-12). "Emma Ferrer Opens Up". Harper's Bazaar. Archived from the original on January 3, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2020. [Audrey Hepburn] put aside her career at its peak to raise her two sons, Sean Ferrer, whose father was Audrey's first husband, the actor Mel Ferrer, and Luca Dotti, from her second marriage (to the Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti). ... [Audrey Hepburn died] in January 1993.... Emma Kathleen Hepburn Ferrer, Audrey's first grandchild, was born in Switzerland in May of the following year to Sean and his then wife, Leila. Now 20, Emma is the eldest of Sean's three children. ... Sean announced that dinner was ready. At that point we'd been joined by his wife, Karin Hofer, [and] her son, Adone...{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ↑ Solís, Jose (2021-01-08). "Audrey Hepburn's Son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer, Reflects on His Mother's Elegance, Authenticity, and Legacy". The Film Stage. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  5. ↑ Cath Clarke (19 November 2020). "'My mother was like a steel fist in a velvet glove': the real Audrey Hepburn". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  6. 1 2 Kacala, Alexander (9 October 2020). "Beyond the glamour: Audrey Hepburn's son opens up about her struggles in new interview". Today . Retrieved 30 November 2020. [Sean] Hepburn Ferrer and his wife, Karin, who co-authored the book...
  7. ↑ "Beyond the glamour: Audrey Hepburn's son opens up about her struggles". Today. Retrieved 2021-05-06.
  8. ↑ Conlon, Scarlett (29 November 2020). "Inside The New Audrey Hepburn Documentary – And The Unexpected Sadness Of Its Subject". Vogue . Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  9. 1 2 Stempel, Jonathan (2017-10-05). "Audrey Hepburn's son sues children's charity over use of mother's name". Reuters. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved 2019-03-12.
  10. ↑ "Note from Sean Ferrer". Audrey Hepburn official website. n.d. Archived from the original on February 12, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Audrey Hepburn Arrives in Berlin" (Press release). Ileana International. March 9, 2009. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020– via Business Wire.
  12. 1 2 Bryant, Kenzie (February 10, 2017). "Audrey Hepburn's Oldest Son in Legal Wrangle with Her Children's Fund". Vanity Fair . Archived from the original on May 31, 2020.
  13. ↑ Sean Hepburn Ferrer v. Hollywood For Children, Inc., Court Listener. Free Law Project2:17-CV-07318 (District Court, Central District of CaliforniaMarch 14, 2018),archived from the original .
  14. ↑ "Proposed Decision Favors Actress' Eldest Son in Dispute with Charity". KNBC News. 19 October 2019. Archived from the original on 28 July 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
  15. ↑ "Audrey Hepburn's Son Sean Hepburn Ferrer Vindicated By Court Decision" (Press release). Sean Hepburn Ferrer. December 3, 2019. Archived from the original on July 28, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020– via PR Newswire.
  16. ↑ "Rare Disease Day 2018 Ambassador". Eurodis: Rare Diseases Europe. February 6, 2018. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Sean Hepburn Ferrer ... is Rare Disease Day 2018 Ambassador. [He] was the previous Rare Disease Day Ambassador for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.
  17. ↑ "L'hologramme comme archive musicale - Le Temps" (in French). 2021-04-05. ISSN   1423-3967 . Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  18. ↑ "La famiglia di Orune che viveva a casa di Audrey Hepburn". La Nuova Sardegna (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-05-31.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.